Partnering formidable athletic ability with acrobatic skill, Ozzie Smith is once of the most celebrated defensive shortstops of all time. Through his unparalleled skill on the field, Smith became known as “The Wizard of Oz.” A testament to his talent, his rise with the Padres in the 1970s couldn’t go unnoticed. With the San Diego manager Roger Craig claiming that “he’s going to be one of the best shortstops in baseball, if not the best.” No truer words have ever been said. As Smith’s impact on the sporting world continues to grow, he will be inspiring generations for years to come.

Throughout his monumental career with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, Smith earned 13 Gold Gold Glove Awards. This feat set an all-time record for assists by a shortstop. Trading off to St. Louis following the 1981 season, Smith helped the team to three National League pennants and earned the 1982 World Series title. His time with the Cardinals would see Smith hit some of his most pivotal career-highs. It also saw Smith’s incredible versatility on the field. Facing the LA Dodgers in the NLCS, Smith made his first career homer batting left-handed to win the game. From there Smith went on to bat .435 in the Cardinals’ six-game triumph. As a result, Smith was honoured with the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award.

After retiring his number in 1996, the Cardinals retired his number. None could replace the mighty legend on the field. In his 19 seasons, Smith was named to 15 All-Star teams.
Smith’s legacy earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. Since Smith’s debut on the field, no-one has ever come close to his sportsmanship or unique winning style.