*Saves leader Smith released from minor-league deal with Astros*

----------------------------------------------------------------

Lee Smith, baseball's all-time saves leader who signed a
minor-league contract with the Houston Astros on June 6th, has
been released. 

Smith, who has played for eight different major-league teams,
combined to post a 1-1 record, 5.83 ERA and two saves in 12
games with Double-A Jackson of the Texas League and Triple-A New
Orleans of the Pacific Coast League. 

After announcing his retirement July 15th of last year while
playing for the Montreal Expos and returning to his home in
Louisiana, Smith attempted a comeback with the Kansas City
Royals this spring as a non-roster player. 

But the 40-year-old posted a 7.45 ERA in nine spring training
appearances with no saves and no decisions, and walked out of
the Royals' camp because of a minor-league assignment. 

The right-hander owns a record 478 career saves and ranks third
in relief appearances with 1,016.  He is also first all-time in
combined saves and wins at 549 (71 wins). 

Known for his imposing size and demeanor on the mound, the
6-foot-6, 270-pound Smith is a seven-time All-Star and a
three-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner.  He led his team in
Rolaids relief points for a record 14 consecutive seasons from
1982-95. 

He is 71-92 lifetime with a 3.03 ERA and has averaged nearly a
strikeout per inning for his career.  He began as an apprentice
to Bruce Sutter with the Chicago Cubs but served as a closer
from 1982 to 1995, saving at least 25 games in each of those
seasons. 

Smith started his career with the Cubs in 1980 and spent time
with Boston, St. Louis, the New York Yankees, Baltimore,
California, Cincinnati and Montreal.