Seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star relief pitcher Lee Smith will be among the star attractions at the Richmond Flying Squirrels Charity Hot Stove Banquet.

Proceeds from the event Thursday, Jan. 21, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center will benefit the Squirrels’ Renovating Richmond’s Recreation Program that helps upgrade youth baseball diamonds around the area.

Other celebrities scheduled to appear at the Hot Stove Banquet include former big league manager Grady Little and former major league players Cla Meredith from Meadowbrook High School and VCU, Tracy Woodson of Benedictine and Gene Alley of Hermitage High School.      

For information and tickets, contact the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN.

Smith, known as “Smitty,” played 18 seasons (1980-1997) with eight different clubs, retiring as the all-time saves’ leader with 478.

He now ranks third in saves behind Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601).

The 6-foot-6, right-handed Smith is from Castor, La. He was signed out of high school by Chicago Cubs’ scout and Negro Leagues icon Buck O’Neil.

Smith went on to pitch in 1,022 games, covering 1,289 innings. His best season was in 1991 when he posted the National League leading 47 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the NL in saves on four occasions.

Smooth with the glove, Smith holds the record for most consecutive errorless games by a pitcher, 546.

Despite his impressive statistics, Smith has failed to gain entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This was the 14th straight year he was listed on the ballot without receiving the necessary 75 percent of votes needed for induction.

There is a scarcity of African-American pitchers and relief pitchers in the Hall of Fame. The only African-American Hall of Fame pitchers, aside from Negro Leaguers, are Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Pedro Martinez and Satchel Paige.

The Hall of Fame’s only primarily relief pitchers are Hoyt Wilhelm, Dennis Eckersley, Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter and Rollie Fingers. Trevor Hoffman appeared on the ballot for first time this year.  

Smith, 58, currently works with the Squirrels’ big league affiliate San Francisco Giants as a roving pitching coach.