In his first trip to Cooperstown since, the joy was apparent throughout his whirlwind visit. A seven-time All-Star, Smith was named the National League Fireman of the Year in 1991 and shared Smith was the last guy to go a full 15 years on the Hall of Fame ballot (players are now limited to ten) and the highest vote total he ever received was 50.6%. Smith still holds the MLB record for consecutive errorless games (546) by a pitcher. Induction Year: 2003 Born in Shreveport, Lee Smith is a lifelong resident of Castor who became Major League Baseball’s career saves leader with 478. With Smith as closer, the Cardinals rallied from a 92-loss season in 1990 and won 84, 83 and 87 games in his final three seasons under manager Joe Torre. Smith and Baines were elected in December by a veterans committee. The Hall of Fame's Today's Game Era Committee selected them at baseball's winter meetings. “That was the first time I went to a place that had Hall of Fame-type players and coaches,” Smith said. “Red Schoendienst, he’d talk and be holding court. Congratulations to Lee Smith on his election to the Hall of Fame. Chicago won the day in Las Vegas, as Harold Baines and Lee Smith … Lee Smith’s Hall of Fame journey ended in December with a call informing him he had achieved baseball’s greatest individual honor. The induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York will take place Sunday, July 22. The official online store of the National Baseball Hall of Fame offers a wide assortment of baseball apparel and collectibles, including exclusive 2020 Induction merchandise, Cooperstown Collection items, MLB team gear and vintage collectibles. LAS VEGAS — Chicago's list of prestigious Hall of Fame athletes grew larger by two names this week as former Cubs pitcher Lee Smith and former White Sox designated hitter Harold Baines were both handed the game's highest honor at the MLB Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. ___ 3:40 p.m. Edgar Martinez has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.