 After posting career @-@ worsts in ERA ( 5 @.@ 82 ) , hits per nine innings ( 11 @.@ 63 ) and several other statistics and then announcing his retirement in mid @-@ July , Smith was released by the Expos on September 25 , 1997 . Regardless , the Kansas City Royals signed Smith as a free agent and invited him to spring training for 1998 . When he refused to start the season in the minor leagues , the Royals released him . Later in 1998 , he signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros , but with an ERA near 7 @.@ 00 at Triple @-@ A , he retired from the majors again . 
