I got to meet Dave Smith, the GM of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.  I learned that a GM in minor league baseball worries more about what happpens outside the lines than a major league GM.  Mr. Smith was gracious enough to grant me some interview time and I met a very special person who many know nothing about.  His role with the Scrappers is paramount to the success of the organization.

Paneech: What do your day-to-day operations and duties consist of?

Dave Smith: Our responsibilities here are to handle everything outside the lines.  The Indians are responsible for drafting the players and they have a whole player development department that works with the players and coaches.  That leaves our responsibilities to sales, marketing, promotions, the media relations, accounting, and operating the facility.

Paneech: You are involved with Youngstown Goodwill and the Regional Chamber of Commerce as a member on the Board of Directors.  How did you get so involved with the community?

Dave Smith: It was something that was pushed on us when I got here.  The organization was always stressing the importance of getting involved with the community.  When I first became involved with the Warren Rotary Club at the age of 27, I didn’t even know what a rotary club was.  To actually be involved in the community became rewarding.  I was meeting new people, getting involved in lots of projects and really started to enjoy giving something back to the community. 

Paneech:  Are you happy here or are you waiting to perhaps be promoted to another level?

Dave Smith: I think that is another misconception, where from a players standpoint you go from Single A to Double A which is the goal.  From a front office standpoint, promotion isn’t the same for me as it is for a player.  I have 15 years in the industry, and if I were to realistically look for a job in a major league city I would go from having the entire operations of a team to, say, just doing promotions.  Some people may want the glitz and glamour that come with a major league promotion, for me it would be a regression to move up.  I met my wife here and now have roots in this area, I have grown used to it and don’t think I would want to leave here right now.

Paneech: Do you have contact with the Indians despite not being involved with the players and coaches much?

Dave Smith:  Indians Director of Player Development, Ross Atkins, basically oversees the talent portion of their minor league system.  We have real good relationships with that staff and communicate with them through the Winter.  Everything starts to pick up on June 1.  Our situation here is that more than half of our players come directly out of the draft each year.  This year there were ten days between the draft and the start of our season.  That’s a very short window to draft these guys, sign them, get them under contract, get them where they need to be, get them physicals, get them uniforms,  which turns into a constant line of communication with their administration.  We then work with the players who get sent here to set them up with host families where they will reside during the season.

Paneech:  Who was the most talented Scrapper you have seen in your time here?

Dave Smith:  In terms of when they were here, not when they moved on, Ben Francisco was the most talented guy I saw here.  The year he was here he led the Penn League in batting average, hit about .349.  He didn’t have a lot of power at the time, but he just attacked the ball, in terms of a pure hitter, it was Francisco.  Ryan Church was another guy that was here that had a monster year with HR and RBI, but I just didn’t get the feeling watching Church as I did Francisco.

Paneech:  Out of the current group of Scrappers, who can you see wearing an Indians uniform in a few years?

Dave Smith:  If you would have asked me a week or so ago, I would have said Bo Greenwell, son of former Red Sox great Mike Greenwell.  Bo was promoted to Lake County, so he’s not with the team anymore.  John Allman, one of the best average hitters in the league and in RBI’s, was not drafted, so there wasn’t all of the hype with him and he is doing a great job.  The Indians are close to signing their second round draft pick, Jason Kipnis, an outfielder out of Arizona State.  His season was extended due to the fact that he went deep into the College World Series.  Reports are that he will report to Mahoning Valley once he signs.

One Word Answers:

Paneech: Favorite meal of the day?     Smith: Dinner

Paneech: Favorite Music?        Smith: Country

Paneech: Favorite TV Show?         Smith:  All Three CSI Shows

Paneech: Favorite Current MLB player?       Smith: Chase Utley

Paneech: Best GM in baseball?     Smith: Theo Epstein

Paneech: Browns or Steelers?     Smith: Eagles

Paneech:  On a day off, I …            Smith: Relax and do work around the house

Paneech:  All-time favorite athlete?     Smith:  Mike Schmidt

Paneech:  Favorite Restaurant?         Smith: Springfield Grille in Boardman

Paneech:  Will Eric Wedge finish 2009 in an Indians uniform?     Smith: Yes, he will.

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