DALLAS, TX — The baseball world is once again holding its collective breath and sending an urgent wave of support to Hall of Fame pitcher Lee Smith, whose family has confirmed that the legend is facing a serious recurrence of heart complications. The news comes approximately two years after Smith underwent a life-saving heart transplant.
Known as “The Closer” during his dominant 18-season career, Smith, 68, is now locked in his most critical battle yet. His relatives have publicly stated that they are “praying every second,” while fans and former teammates monitor the health of the iconic figure.
The Long Battle with Cardiac Amyloidosis
Smith’s latest health crisis is tied to the rare genetic heart disease, cardiac amyloidosis, which nearly took his life several years ago. The condition causes abnormal protein deposits to harden the heart muscle, leading to advanced heart failure.
- Life-Saving Transplant: Smith underwent a successful heart transplant in July 2024 at Baylor Scott & White in Dallas. The surgery was a success, and Smith had been vocal about his improved health and energy, actively encouraging others to get checkups.
- The Current Crisis: While details are scarce, the return of “serious” complications suggests that Smith’s body may be grappling with issues common in the years following a transplant, such as rejection or related infection.
A Career Defined by Resilience
Smith’s fight is being watched closely, not just because he is a Hall of Famer, but because his career was defined by resilience:
- He Hated Relief Pitching: Smith almost quit baseball entirely when the Cubs moved him from a starter to a reliever early in his career, viewing it as a demotion. He was convinced to stay and went on to hold the MLB career saves record (478) for 13 years.
- The Health Warning: After his successful transplant, Smith became a vocal advocate for health awareness, particularly in the African American community, stressing the importance of getting preventative checkups after doctors initially struggled to diagnose his condition.
The entire baseball community is now hoping that the toughness and resolve Smith demonstrated in closing games on the mound will carry him through this latest, critical health challenge.
