Smith: Castronis turns 100

Orlean Castronis is a retired former journalist, the widow of one of the most popular players and coaches ever to wear the Red and Black, and likely the only living person to have seen Harry Mehre coach a game live between the hedges of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.You see, this delightful, sanguine,...

Smith: Georgia T&F coach Caryl Smith Gilbert

Caryl Smith-Gilbert is the director of the men’s and women’s track teams at the University of Georgia; if you yawn and move on about your day, be aware that track in these parts is likely to be sensational on her watch ¬– just give her competitive facilities, and you’ll see.Before she cleaned out...

Smith: Summer sports satisfy in Europe

The fortnight it takes to determine the various champions of Wimbledon, one of the classiest sporting events worldwide, is likely on every true sports aficionado’s bucket list.

Smith: Willie Mays

The tributes to Willie Mays last week were bittersweet.

Smith: Chick and ‘Teddy Ballgame’

There was a teenage rookie outfielder for the San Diego Padres in the summer of 1936 who was fidgety, restless, and blatantly anxious to experience more playing time in the outfield.

Smith: Dawgs’ shortfall in Supers can be an opportunity

Wes Johnson is just getting started. A painful loss hurts the coach for his players, but he enjoys an eminent reputation that brings inherent recruiting advantages.

Smith: Charlie Condon

A few weeks ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers in Phoenix. This allowed me to see Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani play at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks chose to pitch to him.The Diamondbacks chose to pitch to him.

Smith: Atlanta’s evolution

On the west side of the 22nd floor of the J.W. Marriott in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, I stand at an expansive window that frames a view of a downtown showcasing imposing skyscrapers, tall and erect, at daybreak.At first light, I can see the train tracks, which accommodate both MARTA coaches...

Smith: All-American qualities of Alan Kinder

There are so many all-American qualities about Alan Kinder, who grew up on the opposite side of the country but says “Y’all” with the best of Georgia locals, most of whom would not know of Kinder’s patriotic past without disclosure from the media.Suppose you know anything about World War II and its...

Smith: 'His teams sure beat the spread a lot.' The time I talked Vince Dooley with Pete Rose

There is a new biography out on Pete Rose, with the title and subtitle telling it all: Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Days of Baseball.Like Pete, author Keith O'Brien grew up in Cincinnati and was a passionate Reds fan.