Former Pirates Larry McWilliams and John Smiley Respond to Through the Mail Autograph Requests

This week the mailman brought autographs from former Pittsburgh Pirates pitchers and teammates Larry McWilliams and John Smiley.

It took 120 days to receive the response from McWilliams, three days longer than the wait for a Franklin Stubbs response and another example that it takes patience to enjoy this hobby.

McWilliams, the Wichita, Kansas native, started his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1978.

That year, McWilliams scored a victory in the game that broke Pete Rose's 44 game hit streak.

In 1982 McWilliams went to the Pirates before returning to the Braves in 1987.

He went on to play for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals before being released in 1990.

He finished his career with 940 career strikeouts and a 3.99 earned run average.

Today McWilliams resides in Texas.

Smiley, a two-time All Star debuted with the Pirates in 1986, crossing paths with McWilliams that year.

In 1990, Smiley and the Pirates took on and was defeated by the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series.

Smiley and the Pirates returned to the series in 1991 and took on the Braves but again they were defeated.

Smiley spent the 1992 season with the Minnesota Twins before coming back to the National League in 1993 and pitching for the Reds.

In 1995, Smiley got another chance in post season baseball with the Reds. He pitched six innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series helping the Reds move on to the Championship Series against the Braves. The Braves won the series.

In 1997, Smiley pitched for both the Reds and the Cleveland Indians in what would be his last year in the Majors.

Smiley is one of my fast autograph request responders, taking only 17 days.

Today Smiley resides in Pennsylvania.

Other players that I have sent requests to are Livan Hernandez, Latroy Hawkins, Tony Pena, Omar Vizquel, Tim Wakefield, Tommy John, Steve Garvey, Ron Gant, Bryan Harvey, Tommy Lasorda, Ray Fontenot, Jason Thompson, Leon Durham, Dave Winfield, Jay Tibbs, Mike Scioscia, Ken Howell, Eric Davis, Randy Milligan, Tim Burke, Jay Bell, Danny Tartabull, Joe Magrane, Roger McDowell, Rick Aguilera, Nick Esasky, Kevin Seitzer, Dave Burba, Chris Sabo, Charlie Hayes, Tommy Gregg, Junior Ortiz, Mariano Duncan, Mo Vaughn, Andy Hawkins, Howard Johnson, Matt Nokes, Bill Fahey, Julio Franco, Allan Trammell, Steve Buechele, Lance Johnson, Jim Eisenreich, William Van Landingham, Rick Rhoden, Bruce Ruffin, Rafael Palmiero, Mike Stanley, Brett Butler, Curt Wilkerson, Tim Laudner, Mike Mason, and Craig Reynolds.