Athlete – Baseball, Football, Track & Field
A legendary figure in the history of baseball in Lexington and in Kentucky, Rodriquez Smith imprinted his name in the Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame (LAASHOF) with an illustrious professional baseball career spanning eight years. He is known for his exceptional acumen as a second-base player and center fielder. Rod set numerous records and redefined the game with his unparalleled ability to cover wide areas in the infield and swiftly reach base. Growing up in the Bluegrass Aspendale Housing Projects in Lexington, KY, young Rod harbored an unyielding passion for baseball. Despite the challenges that surrounded him, he dreamed of one day playing in the major leagues. His unwavering determination, relentless work ethic, and infectious passion for baseball left an indelible mark on the sport and inspired generations of players and fans alike.
Rod was born September 2, 1975, to Larphine Smith and John Boulder. He is the big brother to Steven Smith, Edward Smith, John Boulder, and Ariel Johnson, and the little brother to the late Jarrod Brown. Rod started playing sports around the same time he started elementary school in 1984 at the age of nine. His friend Ozon Mitchell asked him if he wanted to try out for baseball, considering he played football and basketball. From that day forward, sports were a great influence on his life. To this day, he still holds the Central Little League home run title that he took from the legendary, and probably best, athlete in the city of Lexington, Steve Chandler. Rod was also the first child from Lexington to participate in the Hershey Track and Field National Meet.
While he attended Lafayette High School, Rod’s remarkable statistics speak volumes about his dominance on the field. He lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track. In 1992 as a sophomore, he led his baseball team to the KHSAA State Championship Title. As a junior, he led his football team to the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years and was a USA Parade All-American center fielder. In 1993, Rod was selected to play in the World Games for the USA and Jr. Olympics. His award-winning high school run, exceptional athleticism, and multi-dimensional skills earned him a two-way scholarship to the University of Kentucky to play baseball and football.
Due to his exceptional skills in baseball, the New York Yankees made him an offer he could not refuse. Drafted by the New York Yankees as the 41st pick in the supplemental round between the first and second rounds, Rod signed a contract and decided to go pro. Rod transcended during his eight years of professional baseball and retired, continuing to inspire countless young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue their own dreams. He coached at Eddie Brooks Academy for many years, as well as a traveling baseball team called Dixie Stars World Series Champions. Rod became a teacher at Lexington Traditional Magnet School while coaching football, basketball, and lacrosse for three years. This allowed him to teach other young men the love of the game.
As the years passed, Rod Smith’s legacy grew, earning him a place among Lexington’s sports immortals. His induction into the Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame is a testament to his unwavering spirit, the power of perseverance, and the transformative impact that baseball can have on the lives of those who play the game.
Today, Rod is a loving, proud father to his daughter, Romie Marie Smith, who is an excellent student and an outstanding athlete in her own right.
