Photo by: Doug Kerr via Flickr

Local journalist Claire Smith was presented the JG Taylor Spink Award July 29 in a special Baseball Hall of Fame presentation in Cooperstown, New York for her meritorious contributions to baseball writing. She is the 68th recipient of the said award given by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, as well as the first female awardee.

Smith cut her teeth in an era when women sports writers were not welcome around major sports’ locker rooms and clubhouses. She said, “I humbly stand on stage for those who were stung by racism or sexism or any other insidious bias and persevered,” and added, “You are unbreakable. You make me proud.”

The 63-year-old Smith's writing career spans almost 30 years, writing for publications like The New York Times where she chronicled the near death of baseball and its subsequent resurrection.  In 2007, she became ESPN news editor after a stint with The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

The turning point of Smith's career was when she was with The Hartford Courant when she became a full-time baseball writer and pioneer for women in the field.  Steve Garvey saved the day one night after a Chicago Cubs vs San Diego Padres playoff game.    Smith was made to leave the clubhouse while trying to do her job to get some post-game quotes.  Garvey followed her outside the clubhouse and obliged her with what she needed.  

Smith never looked for sympathy－she simply was there to do her job－and her job she did, very well.

Commenting on the incident she remarked, “I had a game story to write.”

In attendance Saturday at Doubleday Field were legends and pioneers of baseball like Sandy Koufax, the Jewish Dodgers pitcher who refused to play on Yom Kippur during the World Series; Frank Robinson, the first black manager in the major leagues; and Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson; who all took part in the standing ovation Smith received.  

Smith acknowledged Garvey who was in attendance and he responded by saying “I knew it was a very important moment.  And I knew she was a very deep soul.” after the ceremony when asked about the 1984 incident.  

Smith’s brother, Hawthorne said, “Claire was always able to marry sport and societal issues,” and added, “It’s important that she is a woman and a person of color, but that’s not why she’s here. She’s here for her excellence.”

Smith mentioned past recipients of the Spink award－Ring Lardner, Damon Runyon, and Grantland Rice -- saying, “Those are wordsmiths, me, I’m just named Smith.”

Ever so gracious and humble, Smith is more than worthy of the award and career achievements.