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224:. Smith had poured significant resources into Oiler Park at something approaching AAA standards, but it was apparent that the 43-year-old facility was nearing the end of its useful life. Unable to secure public support in Tulsa to replace or rebuild the ballpark, Smith ultimately moved the Oilers to
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During Smith's ownership, the Oilers won five league titles (two Texas League, one PCL, two AA), but struggled with the deteriorating condition of their aging stadium,
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in 1958, and bought out
Murchison's interest in Standard Industries in 1961. In February of that same year, he got wind that
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in 1969 and moved the Oilers to that league. From 1963 to 1966, he also owned one-tenth of the
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After the 1986 season, Smith sold the
Redbirds. He then attempted to bring baseball to
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His daughter, Emily Smith Miller-Mundy (1943–2013), was a prominent figure in the
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364:"Tulsa Sound figure 'Sweet Emily' Smith dies at 69"
243:After the 1981 season, he again moved the team, to
184:owner Grayle Howlett was about to move the team to
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205:in 1966. He contributed to the revival of the
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106:Learn how and when to remove this message
145:, he played football at, and received a
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315:music scene, and the inspiration for
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409:People from Sullivan County, Indiana
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414:Businesspeople from Tulsa, Oklahoma
286:He also served on the board of the
129:franchise, which he later moved to
300:Minor League Executive of the Year
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228:, in 1977, renaming the team the
121:(May 1, 1915 – June 28, 1999, in
399:Minor league baseball executives
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345:"Ex-baseball owner Smith dies"
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404:Louisville Redbirds owners
191:The Oilers moved from the
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319:'s song "Sweet Emily".
281:St. Petersburg, Florida
268:In 1985, he bid on the
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226:New Orleans, Louisiana
234:Springfield, Illinois
215:Major League Baseball
253:Louisville RiverBats
245:Louisville, Kentucky
238:Springfield Redbirds
230:New Orleans Pelicans
207:American Association
203:Pacific Coast League
131:Louisville, Kentucky
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249:Louisville Redbirds
159:St. Lawrence Seaway
174:Corps of Engineers
151:Indiana University
302:, 1982 & 1983
290:for seven years.
262:The Sporting News
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196:Texas League
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182:Tulsa Oilers
167:World War II
163:Panama Canal
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127:Tulsa Oilers
119:A. Ray Smith
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96:October 2011
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33:verification
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394:1999 deaths
389:1915 births
369:Tulsa World
350:Tulsa World
313:Tulsa Sound
251:(later the
186:Albuquerque
383:Categories
323:References
222:Oiler Park
165:. During
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265:in 1983.
137:Biography
141:Born in
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307:Family
294:Honors
217:team.
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