CHICAGO — The baseball community and Chicago Cubs fans are deeply moved by the latest news from Hall of Fame legend Lee Smith. At age 68, the former renowned player has announced his will after revealing he is facing a serious illness – and his decision has left many speechless.
Lee Smith confirmed that he will donate half of his personal fortune to charities in Chicago, aiming to help those in need in the very city where he made his name.
“Everything I have today comes from baseball,” Smith shared.
“And baseball, for me, has always been about connecting people.”
Details of Lee Smith’s illness were not released, but according to close sources, his health condition has led him to seriously consider his future.
Instead of focusing solely on himself, Smith chose to transform his legacy into something bigger.
“I don’t want it to end up just about numbers or trophies,” he said.
“I want it to help someone, in the place where I started.”
For Smith, Chicago was more than just a stop on his career.
It was where he became a legend.
Lee Smith is one of the greatest closers in MLB history.
In his 18-year career, he recorded 478 saves, holding the record for most saves of all time before it was broken.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019, solidifying his place in baseball history.
But for Cubs fans, Smith is more than just a number.
He is:
An icon of the 1980s
A part of Wrigley Field’s memory
And one of the pitchers who held the stadium’s breath every time he stepped out of the bullpen
Lee Smith began his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs in 1980.
There, he not only learned how to be a top pitcher, but also understood the meaning of community and city.
Those years left a deep mark on him.
So, when deciding to donate his fortune, Smith didn’t choose anywhere else.
He chose Chicago.
“I want to help people like I was before,” he said.
“People who just need a chance.”
Donating 50% of his personal fortune is no small decision.
It’s a commitment. A message. That what he achieved isn’t just for himself alone.
The charities Smith supports will focus on:
The homeless
Children in need
And families facing financial hardship in Chicago
For many, it’s a symbolic act — a legend returning to help the very community that created him.
Throughout his career, Lee Smith hasn’t been one to talk much.
But this time, he wants people to understand the reasoning behind his decision.
“Baseball is more than just a game,” he said.
“It brings people together. It gave me the chance to meet people I would never have met without it.”
For him, baseball is more than just a career.
It’s a bridge.
And now, he wants to continue using that “bridge” in a different way.
Following the announcement, many former players and MLB organizations sent tributes to Smith.
A former teammate shared:
“Lee has always been a quiet man. But what he did today speaks volumes.”
The Chicago Cubs also issued a statement:
“Lee Smith is not just a part of the team’s history. He is a part of the heart of Chicago.”
Lee Smith had a great career. But this decision may be what will make him most memorable.
Not because of the number of saves. Not because of the titles. But because of how he chose to use what he had.
“I was lucky. And when you’re lucky, you should share it,” he said.
At 68, facing illness, Lee Smith could have easily chosen a quiet life.
But he chose the opposite. He chose to give. He chose to leave a mark not only in baseball, but in the lives of those who never met him.
In the future, when people mention Lee Smith, they will remember:
A closer legend
A Hall of Famer
And a man who transformed his success into hope for others
Because sometimes, greatness isn’t about what you achieve.
But about what you leave behind.
And with Lee Smith, that legacy isn’t just on the basketball court.
It lives on—in the city of Chicago itself.
