Maybe because was younger than I am, or because I remember him in his prime, Dave Smith's death  is shocking and depressing  to me. May he rest in peace. Here's the basic information:

Dave Smith, a former All-Star closer who holds the Houston Astros record for games pitched, died Wednesday. He was 53. 

Former big leaguer Tim Flannery said Smith apparently died of a heart attack, but the official cause of death wasn't known.

"He's gone. My tears are the rain," Flannery, the San Francisco Giants third base coach, told The Associated Press.

Dave Smith was an All-Star with Houston in 1986 and 1990, and had 216 saves in a 13-year career. He played with Houston from 1980-90 before finishing his career with two seasons with the Chicago Cubs.

His 563 outings with the Astros is tops on the club's list, and his 199 saves ranks second.