For a guy who only ever imagined or modestly hoped for winning one, the drought has become such a glut that he hardly can separate it all and has a hard time ranking the unique cluster.

But the bookends certainly loom largest.

The 2021 title with the Braves not only came with the magic of being his elusive first but also was magnified by being a Georgia native.

Then, as much as he helped Houston in 2022 with a 3.27 ERA in 24 appearances after being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline, he didn’t pitch in the postseason.

Meanwhile, with 22 saves and five postseason appearances in 2023, last season with the Rangers resonated in any number of ways for Smith — and perhaps the Royals.

Because that season embodies what the Royals now hope to replicate at least in some approximate form: Texas had been 68-94 in 2022 and didn’t qualify for the playoffs until Game 161 with a wild-card berth.

Now the guy who once doubted he would ever win one of these things reckons it’s never far-fetched.

“You never know what will happen,” he said. “All you’ve got to do is get in the dance. That’s all you’ve got to do.”

Simple as that may sound, it still would require a monumental jump for the Royals after they tied a franchise-worst record (56-106) last season.

But that helps explain why the hulking Smith, 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, embodies a jaw-dropping offseason.

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