The University of New Haven will have to take a field trip to the Bronx to see its baseball alumnus Alex Smith play as a newly signed New York Yankee player. Smith was a previous star Charger at UNH who officially signed a free agent contract with the Yankees on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Smith is a right-handed pitcher from Manchester, Conn. Even in high school, Smith was a prospective player who led his team to the playoffs in 2006, which was the first time his high school qualified since 1996.

Smith started for the Chargers throughout his career and was a great addition to the UNH team. As a senior, he posted a 3-3 overall record last season in nine starts. He also tallied a 4.66 earned run average and threw 50 strikeouts. Maybe Smith will become the next Babe Ruth; but hopefully he remembers his background as a Charger as he makes his way to the top.

Smith might not have had this in his plans as he took off his Charger uniform at the end of his last season, spring 2011, but now he is on the road for success. A lot of athletes don’t get the amazing opportunity, like Smith, to compete after their college career is over. Smith is the first UNH baseball player to sign since 2008. He is one of many former UNH baseball players to sign a professional contract after their time at the university as a Charger, one of them being Steve Bedrosian the 1987 National League Cy Young Award winner, who signed with Atlanta in 1978.

Smith will report to the Yankees spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.