Born Carl Reginald Smith on April 2, 1945, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Reggie Smith emerged from humble roots—delivering eggs with his father on weekdays and honing his swing on Sundays with a local semi-pro team—to become one of Major League Baseball’s most electrifying and versatile performers. Signed by the Minnesota Twins as a teenager, Smith’s raw talent caught the eye of scouts early, but it was his acquisition by the Boston Red Sox in 1963 that launched him into stardom.

Debuting in 1966, he quickly redefined expectations for switch-hitters, smashing a then-franchise-record 149 home runs and driving in 536 runs over seven seasons at Fenway Park, where his blend of power, speed, and Gold Glove defense in the outfield made him a fan favorite and a seven-time All-Star.