Ozzie Smith

Ozzie Smith
Shortstop
Born: December 26, 1954 (1954-12-26) (age 54) Mobile, Alabama
Batted: Switch	Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 7, 1978 for the San Diego Padres
Final game
October 17, 1996 for the St. Louis Cardinals
Career statistics
Hits	2,460
Stolen bases	580
Fielding %	.978
Teams
San Diego Padres (1978–1981) St. Louis Cardinals (1982–1996)
Career highlights and awards
15x All-Star selection (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996) 13x Gold Glove Award winner (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992) Silver Slugger Award winner (1987) World Series champion (1982) 1995 Roberto Clemente Award 1994 Branch Rickey Award 1989 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award 1985 NLCS MVP St. Louis Cardinals #1 retired
Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame
Elected	2002
Vote	91.7% (first ballot)

Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith (born December 26, 1954) is a retired American professional baseball player who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. Nicknamed "The Wizard," Smith played shortstop for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball, winning the National League Gold Glove Award for defensive play at shortstop for thirteen consecutive seasons. A 15-time All-Star, Smith accumulated 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases during his career, and also won a Silver Slugger Award as the best hitter at shortstop in 1987.

Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama, but his family moved to the Watts section of Los Angeles, California when he was six years old. Developing quick reflexes via childhood leisure activities, Smith played baseball in both high school and college. Drafted as an amateur player by the San Diego Padres, Smith made his Major League Baseball debut with the Padres in 1978. Smith quickly established himself as an outstanding defensive player who was known for performing backflips on special occasions while running out to his position. Smith subsequently won his first Gold Glove award in 1980, and made his first All-Star Game appearance in 1981. When turmoil with Padres' ownership developed, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for shortstop Garry Templeton in 1982.^[1]

Upon joining the Cardinals Smith became a contributor to the team's 1982 World Series championship. Three years later his game-winning home run during Game 5 of the 1985 National League Championship Series was the impetus for broadcaster Jack Buck's "Go crazy, folks!" play-by-play call. Despite suffering a rotator cuff injury during the 1985 season, Smith went on to post career highs in multiple offensive categories in 1987. After tension between Smith and his manager Tony La Russa developed, Smith retired at the end of the 1996 season, and subsequently had his uniform number (#1) retired by the Cardinals.^[2] Since retiring Smith has worked in various broadcast-related positions and was host of the television show This Week in Baseball from 1997 to 1999.

Early life

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Smith was the second of six children (five boys and one girl) born to his parents Clovis and Marvella Smith.^[3] While the family lived in Mobile, his father worked as a sandblaster at Brookley Air Force Base.^[4] Future Major League Baseball player Amos Otis lived in Smith's neighborhood during this time period.^[4]

When Smith was six years old, his family moved from Mobile to the Watts section of Los Angeles, California.^[4] His father became a delivery truck driver for Safeway stores, while his mother became an aide at an Armenian nursing home.^[5] Smith's mother was an influential part of his life who stressed the importance of education, and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.^[6] When not at the local YMCA or playing sports, Smith sometimes went with friends to the neighborhood lumberyard, springboarding off inner tubes and doing flips into sawdust piles (a precursor to his famous backflips).^[7] Developing quick reflexes through leisure activity, Smith would bounce a ball off the concrete steps in front of his house, moving in closer to reduce reaction time with each throw.^[8] It was during this time period that a ten year old Smith endured the 1965 Watts Riots with his family.

We were right in the middle of the Watts riots. The National Guard set up its camp right across the street from our house. I don't know how many people have ever seen the National Guard break in somewhere, but they mean business. We had to sleep on the floor because of all the sniping and looting going on.

—Ozzie Smith, from Wizard (1988)^[9]

Smith's parents decided to divorce while he was attending junior high school, yet his passion for athletics continued to grow.^[5] A Los Angeles Dodgers fan, Smith would ride the bus for nearly an hour to get to Dodger Stadium, attending about 25 games a year.^[5] Upon becoming a student at Locke High School, Smith played on both the basketball and baseball teams.^[5] On the basketball team Smith was a teammate of future NBA player Marques Johnson, just as Smith's baseball teammate Eddie Murray would eventually play in Major League Baseball.^[10] After high school Smith attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1974 on a partial academic scholarship, and managed to walk-on to the baseball team.^[11] In addition to his classroom education, Smith learned how to switch-hit from Cal-Poly coach Berdy Harr.^[12] Smith broke multiple school records during his four years as the school's starting shortstop, including career at-bats (754) and career stolen bases (110).^[11]

San Diego Padres

Smith was playing semi-professional baseball in Clarinda, Iowa during the summer of 1976 when he was selected in the seventh round of the 1976 amateur entry draft by the Detroit Tigers.^[13] The parties could not agree on a contract; Smith wanted a US$10,000 signing bonus, while the Tigers offered $8,500.^[13] Smith returned to Cal-Poly for his senior year, then in the next MLB draft was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres, ultimately agreeing to a contract that included a $5,000 signing bonus.^[13] Smith subsequently spent his first year of professional baseball, 1977, with the now defunct Class A baseball team the Walla Walla Padres of the Northwest League.^[14]

Smith began 1978 as a non-roster invitee to the San Diego Padres' spring training camp in Yuma, Arizona. Smith credited Padre manager Alvin Dark for instilling confidence in him, as Dark told reporters the shortstop job was Smith's until he proved he could not handle it.^[15] Even though Dark was fired in the middle of training camp, Smith made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on April 7, 1978.^[16][17]

It did not take long for Smith to earn recognition at the Major League level, making what some consider his greatest defensive play only ten games into his rookie season.^[18] The Padres played host to the Atlanta Braves on April 20, 1978, and with two out in the top of the fourth inning, Atlanta's Jeff Burroughs hit a ground ball up the middle.^[19] As Smith describes the play in his own words:

He hit a ball back up the middle that everybody thought was going into center field. I instinctively broke to my left and dove behind second. As I was in the air, the ball took a bad hop and caromed behind me, but I was able to catch it with my bare hand. I hit the ground, bounced back up, and threw Burroughs out at first.

—Ozzie Smith, from Wizard (1988)^[20]

During a roadtrip to Houston, Texas later in the season, Smith met a part-time usherette at the Astrodome named Denise while making his way to the team bus outside the stadium.^[21] The couple developed a relationship that was sometimes long-distance in nature, but eventually decided to marry.^[21][2] It was also during the 1978 season that one of Smith's trademarks came to fruition. Padres promotion director Andy Strasberg knew Smith could perform backflips, but that he only did them during practice before fans entered the stadium.^[18] Strasberg asked Smith to do a backflip for fans during Fan Appreciation Day on October 1, the Padres' last home game of the season.^[18][22] After conferring with veteran teammate Gene Tenace, Smith went ahead with the backflip, and it proved to be wildly popular.^[18] At the conclusion of the 1978 season, Smith finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to Bob Horner.^[23]

After working with a hitting instructor during the offseason, Smith failed to get a base hit in his first 32 at-bats of the 1979 season.^[24] Off the field, friction developed between Padre ownership and the combination of Smith and his agent, Ed Gottlieb. The parties got into a contract dispute before the 1980 season, and when negotiations lasted into spring training, the Padres opted to renew Smith's contract at his 1979 salary of $72,500.^[25] Angered by the Padres' attitude during those contract talks, Gottlieb took out a help-wanted ad in the San Diego Union, part of which read, "Padre baseball player wants part time employment to supplement income."^[26] When Joan Kroc, wife of Padres owner Ray Kroc, publicly offered Smith a job as an assistant gardener on her estate, Smith and Gottlieb's relationship with the organization deteriorated further.^[1]

Aside from the turmoil, Smith was increasingly recognized for his accomplishments on the field. In 1980 he set the single season record for most assists by a shortstop (621), and began his string of 13 consecutive Gold Glove awards.^[27] Smith's defensive play prompted use of the nickname "The Wizard of Oz," such as the Yuma Daily Sun did in a March 1981 feature article about Smith.^[28] While "The Wizard of Oz" nickname was an allusion to the 1939 motion picture of the same name, Smith also came to be known as simply "The Wizard" during his playing career, as Smith's Baseball Hall of Fame plaque would later attest.^[29][30] In 1981 Smith made his first All-Star Game appearance as a reserve player.^[31]

Trade

While Smith was having problems with the Padre ownership, the St. Louis Cardinals also found themselves unhappy with their shortstop. During a game at Busch Stadium on August 26, 1981, Garry Templeton made obscene gestures at fans before being pulled off the field by manager Whitey Herzog.^[32][33] Given the task of overhauling the Cardinals by owner Gussie Busch, Herzog was looking to trade Templeton when he was approached by Padre General Manager Jack McKeon at the 1981 baseball winter meetings. While McKeon had previously told Herzog that Smith was untouchable in any trade, the Padres were now so angry at Smith's agent Gottlieb that McKeon was willing to deal.^[34]

McKeon and Herzog agreed in principle to a six-player trade, with Templeton for Smith as the centerpiece.^[34] It was then that Padres manager Dick Williams informed Herzog that a no-trade clause had been included in Smith's 1981 contract.^[35] Upon learning of the trade, Smith's initial reaction was to invoke the clause and stay in San Diego, but he was still interested to hear what the Cardinals had to say.^[36] While the deal for the players beside Templeton and Smith went through, Herzog flew to San Diego to personally meet with Smith and Gottlieb over the Christmas holiday.^[37] Smith described how the meeting went:

Whitey told me that with me playing shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, we could win the pennant. He made me feel wanted, which was a feeling I was quickly losing from the Padres. The mere fact that Whitey would come all the way out there to talk to us was more than enough to convince me that St. Louis was the place I wanted to be.

—Ozzie Smith, from Wizard (1988)^[38]

St. Louis Cardinals

1982 season

After more behind-the-scenes contract wrangling, Smith became a St. Louis Cardinal on February 11, 1982.^[39] As the 1982 season got underway, Herzog's newly assembled team won 12 games in a row during the month of April, and ultimately finished the season atop the National League East division.^[40][41] The style of baseball Herzog utilized consisted of speed on the basepaths, outstanding defense, and line-drive hitters, and was soon termed Whiteyball.^[42] With excellent speed on the basepaths, his Gold Glove worthy defense, and aptitude for hitting line drives and ground balls at the plate, Smith exhibited traits that coincided with that style of play. Herzog would later say of Smith, "If he saved two runs a game on defense, which he did many a night, it seemed to me that was just as valuable to the team as a player who drove in two runs a game on offense."^[43]

Not wanting to rest on his defensive laurels, Smith knew that to improve offensively he would have to use his speed and hit more ground balls.^[44] Approaching Smith one day during spring training, Herzog said, "Every time you hit a fly ball, you owe me a buck. Every time you hit a ground ball, I owe you a buck. We'll keep that going all year."^[44] By the end of the season Smith had won close to $300 from Herzog.^[44]

Smith became a father for the first time during the 1982 season with the birth of his son O.J., today known as Nikko, on April 28 in San Diego.^[45] Smith also developed a lasting friendship with teammate Willie McGee during the season, and Smith likes to think he "helped Willie get over some of the rough spots of adjusting to the major leagues".^[46] Smith later participated in the postseason for the first time when the Cardinals faced the Atlanta Braves in the best of five 1982 National League Championship Series (NLCS). Smith drove in the series' first run by hitting a sacrifice fly that scored McGee in Game 1, ultimately going five for nine over the course of St. Louis' three-game series sweep.^[47]

Just as Herzog had predicted when he told Smith the Cardinals would win the pennant with him on the team, Smith found himself as the team's starting shortstop in the 1982 World Series. From an individual standpoint, Smith scored three runs, had five hits, and did not commit an error in the field.^[48] Additionally, when St. Louis was trailing three to one with one out in the sixth inning of Game 7, Smith started a rally with a base hit to left field, eventually scoring the first of the team's three runs that inning.^[49] After Bruce Sutter struck out Gorman Thomas in the ninth inning, Smith celebrated a World Series championship with his teammates.

Go crazy, folks

After the World Series championship, Smith and the Cardinals agreed on a new contract in January 1983 that paid Smith one million dollars per year.^[50] Smith was voted in as the National League's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game for the first time in 1983, and at season's end won a fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award.^[51] During the 1984 season Smith went on the disabled list on July 19 after suffering a broken wrist, the result of being hit by a Padres pitch six days earlier.^[52][53] Smith's return to the lineup a month later was not enough to propel the Cardinals to a postseason berth.^[52]

Sidewalk paver outside Busch Stadium commemorating Smith's "Go crazy, folks!" home run

In 1985 the Cardinals won 101 games and earned another postseason berth.^[54] Facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, a split of the first 4 games set the stage for Game 5 at Busch Stadium. With the score tied at 2 runs apiece in the bottom of the 9th inning, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda called upon closer Tom Niedenfuer to pitch. Batting left-handed against Niedenfuer with one out, Smith had never hit a home run in his previous 3,009 left-handed major league at-bats.^[55] Smith proceeded to hit an inside fastball down the right-field line for a home run, ending Game 5 in a 3–2 Cardinals victory.^[56] Commenting on his home run, Smith said, "I was trying to get an extra-base hit and get into scoring position. Fortunately, I was able to get the ball up."^[14] The home run was not only the impetus for broadcaster Jack Buck's "Go crazy folks" play-by-play call (see sidebar), but was also later voted the greatest moment in Busch Stadium history by Cardinals fans.^[57][58]

After Smith's teammate Jack Clark hit a late-inning home run of his own in Game 6 to defeat the Dodgers, the Cardinals moved on to face the Kansas City Royals in the 1985 World Series. Once again sportswriters were quick to draw attention to not what Smith did at the plate (2 for 23) but his outstanding defensive play.^[59][60] After the Cardinals took a 3 games to 2 advantage, a controversial Game 6 call by umpire Don Denkinger overshadowed the remainder of the Series (which the Royals won in seven games).^[61]

What was not publicly known during the regular season and playoffs was that Smith had suffered an impingement in his right shoulder during the July 11 to July 14 homestand against the Padres.^[62][63] After suffering the impingement diving back into first base on a pickoff throw, Smith altered his throwing motion to such a degree that he subsequently tore his rotator cuff.^[62] The 5'10" (1.78 m), 180-pound (82 kg) Smith opted to forgo surgery and instead built up his arm strength via weightlifting, playing through whatever pain he encountered.^[55] Said Smith, "I didn't tell anybody about the injury, because I wanted to keep playing and didn't want anybody thinking they could run on me or take advantage of the injury. I tried to do almost everything, except throw a baseball, left-handed: opening a door, turning on the radio--everything. It didn't get any better, but it was good enough that I didn't have to have surgery."^[64]

In light of his injury, Smith let his now four year old son O.J. perform his traditional Opening Day backflip before the Cardinals' first home game of the 1986 season.^[65] Smith made an "eye-popping" play later that season on August 5, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium.^[55] In the top of the ninth inning, Phillies first baseman Von Hayes hit a short fly ball to left field, which was pursued by both Smith and left fielder Curt Ford.^[66] Running with his back to home plate, Smith dove forward, simultaneously catching the ball while parallel to the ground and flying over the diving Ford, avoiding a collision by inches.^[55][67]

1987 season

After hitting in either the second or eighth spot in the batting order for most of his time in St. Louis, Herzog made Smith the number-two hitter full-time during the 1987 season.^[68] Over the course of the year Smith accrued a .303 batting average, 43 stolen bases, 75 RBI, 104 runs scored, and 40 doubles, good enough to earn him the Silver Slugger Award.^[69] In addition to winning the Gold Glove Award at shortstop for the eighth consecutive time, Smith also posted a career high on-base percentage of .392. Baseball fans rewarded Smith for his efforts by making him the leading vote-getter in the 1987 All-Star Game.^[70] The Cardinals earned a postseason berth with 95 wins, and subsequently faced the San Francisco Giants in the 1987 National League Championship Series.^[71] Smith contributed a triple during the series, and the Cardinals won the contest in seven games.^[72]

The 1987 World Series matched the Cardinals against the American League champion Minnesota Twins. After losing Game 1 and Game 2 in Minnesota, Smith and the Cardinals countered by winning Games 3, 4, and 5 at Busch Memorial Stadium.^[73] When the Series returned to Minnesota's Metrodome, the Cardinals failed to secure another victory, dropping the Series in seven games. In 28 at-bats during the Series, Smith scored three runs and had two RBIs.^[74] After the Series had concluded, Smith questioned whether the Metrodome's use of air-conditioner blowers during play was the reason behind the Twins' dominance at their home park.^[75] This suspicion was later shared not only by Herzog, but also then-Texas Rangers manager Bobby Valentine, and in 2004 by Alan Trammell, a former Detroit Tigers shortstop who by then had become the Tigers' manager.^[76] Smith finished second in MVP balloting to Andre Dawson, who had played on the last-place Chicago Cubs, largely because Smith and teammate Jack Clark split the first-place vote.^[77] Following the 1987 season, Smith was awarded the largest contract in the National League at $2,340,000.^[78]

While the team did not see the postseason for the remainder of the decade, Smith continued racking up All-Star appearances and Gold Gloves. Combined with the attention he received from his contract, Smith continued to be a national figure. Always known to be a savvy dresser, he received recognition in that arena by making the April 1988 cover of GQ magazine.^[79] Smith was then witness to significant change within the Cardinal organization, as owner Gussie Busch died in 1989, followed by Herzog's decision to quit as manager during the 1990 season.^[80][81]

Torre era

Joe Torre became Smith's new manager in 1990, but the team did not reach the postseason during Torre's nearly five year tenure.^[82] While the Cardinals' celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1992, Smith marked milestones of his own, stealing his 500th career base on April 26, then notching a triple on May 26 in front of the home crowd for his 2,000th hit.^[83] St. Louis had a one-game lead in the National League East division on June 1, 1992, but injuries took their toll on the team, including Smith's two week illness in late July after contracting chicken pox for the first time.^[84] As a testament to his national visibility during this time, Smith appeared in a 1992 episode of The Simpsons titled "Homer at the Bat".^[85] Smith became a free agent for the first time in his career on November 2, 1992, only to sign a new contract with the Cardinals on December 6.^[86]

Smith won what ultimately proved to be his final Gold Glove in 1992, marking a string of 13 consecutive Gold Gloves at shortstop in the National League, a feat that has yet to be matched.^[87] From 1993 onwards, injuries started to creep up on Smith. He appeared in 98 games during the strike shortened 1994 season, then appeared in 44 games of the 1995 season after shoulder surgery on May 31.^[88][89] Even with injuries limiting his accomplishments on the field, Smith was recognized for his positive work off the field. For instance, his community service efforts were rewarded with the 1994 Branch Rickey Award and the 1995 Roberto Clemente Award. In February 1994, Smith took on the role of honorary chairman and official spokesman for the Missouri Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health.^[90]

1996 season

As Smith entered the 1996 season, he experienced a new round of change both on and off the field. Away from baseball, Smith finalized a divorce from his wife Denise during the first half of the year.^[2][91] Meanwhile, manager Tony La Russa began his first season with the Cardinals in tandem with a new ownership group. Smith claimed La Russa told him in January 1996 there would be an open competition between Smith and newly acquired shortstop Royce Clayton, with the starting job going to whomever had the best spring.^[2][91] When spring training concluded, Smith had amassed a .288 batting average and zero errors in the field, and Clayton batted .190 with eight errors.^[2] Smith believed he outplayed Clayton during the spring, but La Russa disagreed, as evidenced by awarding Clayton the majority of playing time in the platoon situation that developed, where Smith typically saw action every third game.^[2] Commenting on Smith's perception of what La Russa said in January, La Russa himself said, "What I told him (Smith) was the guy who plays better will play the most, and Royce has been one of our two best players this year. I think it's fair to say Ozzie misunderstood how he compared to Royce in spring training."^[2]

Smith missed the first month of the season with a hamstring injury as ill feelings continued to abound between Smith and his manager in the situation that developed.^[2] In a closed-door meeting in mid-May, La Russa asked Smith if he would like to be traded.^[2] Instead, Smith and his agent negotiated a compromise with Cardinals management, agreeing to a buyout of special provisions in his contract in conjunction with Smith announcing his retirement.^[2] The agreement prompted a press conference at Busch Stadium on June 19, 1996, during which Smith announced he would retire from Major League Baseball at season's end.^[92]

Ozzie Smith's number 1 was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996

As Smith made his final tour of the National League he was honored by many teams, and received a standing ovation at the 1996 All-Star Game.^[2] Between June 19 and September 1, Smith's batting average increased from .239 to .286.^[93] On September 2, Smith tied a career high by scoring four runs, one of which was a home run, and another on a close play at home plate in the bottom of the 10th inning against division leader Houston.^[94] The win moved the Cardinals to within a half game of Houston in the National League Central Division, and the Cardinals went on to win the division by six games.^[94][95] After 19 seasons, Smith's career culminated in a special ceremony at Busch Stadium on September 28, 1996 before a game against the Cincinnati Reds. During the ceremony the Cardinals honored Smith by retiring his uniform number. Noted for his ritual backflip before opening days, All-Star Games, and postseason games, Smith chose this occasion to perform it for one of the last times.^[18]

In the postseason the Cardinals first faced the San Diego Padres in the 1996 National League Division Series. After sitting out Game 1, Smith got the start in Game 2 at Busch Stadium, helping his team go up two games in the series by notching a run, a hit and two walks at the plate, along with an assist and a putout in the field.^[96] The Cardinals then swept the series by winning Game 3 in San Diego.

The Cardinals next faced the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 National League Championship Series. Smith started Game 1 and subsequently registered three putouts and one assist in the field, but went hitless in four at-bats in the Cardinals' 4−2 loss.^[97] The Cardinals then won Games 2,3, and 4, contests in which Smith did not appear.^{[98][99][100]} Upon receiving the start in Game 5, Smith nearly duplicated his Game 1 performance with four putouts, one assist, and zero hits in four at-bats as part of another Cardinals defeat.^[101] The Cardinals also failed to win Game 6 or Game 7 in Atlanta, resulting in the team's elimination from the postseason.^[102] With the Cardinals trailing by ten runs during Game 7 on October 17, Smith flied out to right field while pinch-hitting in the sixth inning, marking the end of his playing career.^[103] Smith finished his career with many distinctions, such as the accumulation of more than 27.5 million votes from fans in All-Star balloting, and currently holds the record for the most at-bats without hitting a grand slam.^[104][105]

Post-playing career

Upon retirement Smith took over for Mel Allen as the host of the television series This Week in Baseball (TWIB) in 1997.^[106] Smith also became color commentator for the local broadcast of Cardinal games on KPLR-TV from 1997 to 1999.^[107] When his stint on This Week in Baseball concluded, Smith then moved on to do work for CNN-SI beginning in 1999.^[108]

Smith fields a ground ball at Doubleday Field in 2002.

On January 8, 2002 Smith received a phone call from Jack O'Connell, the secretary of the Baseball Writer's Association of America, informing him that he had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot by receiving 91.7% of the votes cast.^[109][110] As it happened, the Olympic torch was passing through St. Louis on its way to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Smith served as a torchbearer in a ceremony with St. Louis Rams' quarterback Kurt Warner that evening.^[111] Smith was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during ceremonies on July 28, 2002. During his speech, he compared his baseball experiences with the characters from the novel "The Wizard of Oz", after which his son Dustin presented his Hall of Fame plaque.^[112] Days later on August 11, Smith was back at Busch Memorial Stadium for the unveiling of a statue in his likeness, made by sculptor Harry Weber.^[113]

As part of his post-playing career, Smith continues to be an entrepreneur in a variety of business ventures. Smith opened "Ozzie's" sports bar in 1987, became an investor in a grocery store chain in 1999, and partnered with David Slay to open a restaurant in the early 2000s.^[114][115] Aside from appearing in numerous radio and television commercials in the St. Louis area since retiring from baseball, Smith recently pursued a new business venture by releasing a brand of salad dressing.

Smith is father to three children from his marriage to former wife Denise; sons O.J., Dustin, and daughter Tarya.^[65] Smith continues to remain a visible figure around the St. Louis area, making appearances as varied as playing the role of the Wizard in the St. Louis Municipal Opera's summer 2001 production of The Wizard of Oz.^[116] In 1999 he ranked number 87 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, and finished third in voting at shortstop for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.^[117] Then in 2003 he was given the additional honors of induction into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from his alma-mater Cal-Poly.^[118][119] Additionally, Smith has chosen to limit his association with the Cardinals for as long as La Russa remains manager of the team, still upset with the situation that unfolded in 1996.^[120] Besides playing golf as a hobby, Smith cheered on his son O.J. "Nikko" Smith as he cracked the top ten finalists of the 2005 edition of American Idol.^[121][122]

Career MLB statistics

Hitting

T = tied

Rankings as of November 5, 2008.^{[69][123][124]}

Fielding

T = tied

Rankings as of October 3, 2008.^{[69][125][126][127]}

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players with 2000 hits
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
• List of Major League Baseball players with 500 stolen bases
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 stolen bases

Notes

References

• Eisenbath, Mike (1999). The Cardinals Encyclopedia. Temple University Press. ISBN 1566397030. 
• Garner, Joe (2000). And The Fans Roared. Naperville: Sourcebooks. ISBN 1-57071-582-3. 
• Herzog, Whitey; Kevin Horrigan (1987). White Rat - A Life in Baseball. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 0-06-080910-8. 
• Herzog, Whitey; Jonathan Pitts (1999). You're Missin' a Great Game. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-684-85314-0. 
• Hummel, Rick (2007). Commish & the Cardinals. St. Louis Post-Dispatch Books. ISBN 978-0-9661397-9-2. 
• Leach, Matthew (2008). Game of my Life - St. Louis Cardinals. Champaign: Sports Publishing L.L.C.. ISBN 978-1-59670-273-8. 
• Nemec, David; Saul Wisnia (2002). 100 Years of Baseball. Publications International, Ltd.. ISBN 0-7853-7567-8. 
• O'Neill, Dan; Joe Buck, Robert W. Duffy, Bernie Miklasz (2005). Mike Smith. ed.. Busch Stadium Moments. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ISBN 978-0-9661397-3-0. 
• Rains, Rob; Alvin Reid (2002). Whitey's Boys: A Celebration of the '82 Cards World Championship. Chicago: Triumph. ISBN 1-57243-485-6. 
• Rains, Rob (2003). Cardinal Nation (2nd edition ed.). St. Louis: The Sporting News. ISBN 0-89204-727-5. 
• Schoor, Gene (1990). The History of the World Series. New York: William Morrow and Company. ISBN 0-688-07995-4. 
• Smith, Ozzie; Rob Rains (1988). Wizard. Chicago: Contemporary Books. ISBN 0-8092-4594-9. 
• Smith, Ozzie; Rob Rains (2002). Ozzie Smith - The Road to Cooperstown. Sports Publishing L.L.C.. ISBN 1-58261-576-4. 

External links

• Baseball Hall of Fame – Member biography
• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• "Go Crazy Folks!" mp3 audio of Jack Buck's 1985 call for Smith's game winning NLCS home run against the Dodgers.
• St. Louis Walk of Fame