SAD NEWS: Cubs Legend Lee Smith Faces Health Setback After Heart Transplant — “Final Battle” Begins
October 15, 2025 – Chicago, IL
For months, hope seemed to prevail. But heartbreak has returned.
Lee Smith, the Hall of Fame closer and Chicago Cubs legend known for his fierce presence on the mound, is once again in the fight of his life. Months after undergoing a successful heart transplant, Smith has reportedly suffered serious complications — a recurrence that his family has described as his “final battle.”
In a statement released Tuesday evening, Smith’s family confirmed the setback and asked for privacy and prayers during what they called “a difficult and uncertain time.” The 67-year-old baseball icon, who saved 478 games over an 18-year career, has long been admired for his strength, faith, and resilience — qualities that defined both his playing days and his personal struggles since retirement.
“This time,” Smith admitted quietly to a close friend, “it’s harder than the final pitches of my career.”
A Titan on the Mound, A Fighter Off It
Smith’s legacy in baseball is unmatched. From his Cubs debut in 1980 to his dominant years with St. Louis and Boston, he stood as one of the game’s most feared relievers — a pioneer of the modern closer role. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, Smith’s fiery competitiveness and humility off the field made him a beloved figure far beyond Wrigley Field.
In recent years, Smith faced a series of health challenges culminating in the heart transplant that gave fans reason to celebrate his recovery. His strength, optimism, and gratitude inspired countless messages of support across the baseball community.
That makes this latest news even harder to bear.
Baseball World Rallies Around a Legend
Since the family’s announcement, former teammates, coaches, and fans have flooded social media with messages of love and encouragement. The Chicago Cubs organization issued a statement late Tuesday:
“Lee Smith is more than a Cubs legend — he is a symbol of perseverance and courage. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Cubs family are with Lee and his loved ones.”
Across the league, tributes have poured in. Former teammate Andre Dawson posted, “Big Lee has always been a fighter. He beat batters, he beat the odds — and we believe he’ll keep fighting now.”
A Legacy That Transcends the Game
For those who watched Smith in his prime, his towering presence and unshakable calm under pressure were unforgettable. Yet, it’s his humanity — his grace in the face of struggle — that defines him now.
As one Cubs broadcaster put it, “Lee Smith’s greatest saves have never been on the field. They’ve been in life.”
While his family continues to navigate this latest challenge, fans across the baseball world are united in hope that the man who once closed out games with ice in his veins can once again defy the odds.
Lee Smith — a Hall of Famer, a fighter, and a symbol of strength — is in the fight once more.
