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.
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith (born December 26, 1954) is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and St.
In 1965, at age 10, he endured the Watts Riots with his family, recalling that, "We had to sleep on the floor because of all the sniping and looting going on." While Smith was attending junior high school, his parents divorced.
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.
When Cal Poly's starting shortstop broke his leg midway through the 1974 season, Smith subsequently took over the starting role.
Later named an All-American athlete, he established school records in career at bats (754) and career stolen bases (110) before graduating in 1977. == Professional baseball career == === San Diego Padres === Smith was playing semi-professional baseball in Clarinda, Iowa, when in June 1976 he was selected in the seventh round of the amateur entry draft by the Detroit Tigers.
Later named an All-American athlete, he established school records in career at bats (754) and career stolen bases (110) before graduating in 1977. == Professional baseball career == === San Diego Padres === Smith was playing semi-professional baseball in Clarinda, Iowa, when in June 1976 he was selected in the seventh round of the amateur entry draft by the Detroit Tigers.
Smith returned to Cal Poly for his senior year, then in the 1977 draft was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres, ultimately agreeing to a contract that included a $5,000 signing bonus ($ today).
Smith spent his first year of professional baseball during 1977 with the Class A Walla Walla Padres of the Northwest League. Smith began 1978 as a non-roster invitee to the San Diego Padres' spring training camp in Yuma, Arizona.
Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996.
Drafted as an amateur player by the Padres, Smith made his major league debut in 1978.
Smith spent his first year of professional baseball during 1977 with the Class A Walla Walla Padres of the Northwest League. Smith began 1978 as a non-roster invitee to the San Diego Padres' spring training camp in Yuma, Arizona.
Even though Dark was fired in the middle of training camp, Smith made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on April 7, 1978. It did not take long for Smith to earn recognition in the major leagues, making what some consider his greatest fielding play only 10 games into his rookie season.
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.
It was also during the 1978 season that Smith introduced a signature move.
Smith finished the 1978 season with a .258 batting average and .970 fielding percentage, placing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to Bob Horner. After working with a hitting instructor during the offseason, Smith failed to record a base hit in his first 32 at-bats of the 1979 season.
Smith finished the 1978 season with a .258 batting average and .970 fielding percentage, placing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting to Bob Horner. After working with a hitting instructor during the offseason, Smith failed to record a base hit in his first 32 at-bats of the 1979 season.
Among players with enough at-bats to qualify for the 1979 National League Triple Crown, Smith finished the season last in batting average (.211), home runs (0), and RBI (27).
The parties entered into a contract dispute before the 1980 season, and when negotiations lasted into spring training, the Padres renewed Smith's contract at his 1979 salary of $72,500 Smith's agent told the Padres the shortstop would forgo the season to race in the Tour de France, despite the fact Smith admitted to The Break Room on 96.5 WCMF in Rochester, New York he had never heard of the Tour.
Smith won his first Gold Glove Award in 1980 and made his first All-Star Game appearance in 1981.
The parties entered into a contract dispute before the 1980 season, and when negotiations lasted into spring training, the Padres renewed Smith's contract at his 1979 salary of $72,500 Smith's agent told the Padres the shortstop would forgo the season to race in the Tour de France, despite the fact Smith admitted to The Break Room on 96.5 WCMF in Rochester, New York he had never heard of the Tour.
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.
Smith won his first Gold Glove Award in 1980 and made his first All-Star Game appearance in 1981.
Smith's fielding play prompted the Yuma Daily Sun to use the nickname "The Wizard of Oz" in a March 1981 feature article about Smith.
In 1981, Smith made his first All-Star Game appearance as a reserve player. ==== Trade ==== While Smith was having problems with the Padres' owners, the St.
It was then that Padres manager Dick Williams informed Herzog that a no-trade clause had been included in Smith's 1981 contract.
Louis Cardinals === ==== 1982–1984 ==== On December 10, 1981, the Padres traded him along with a player to be named later and Steve Mura to the Cardinals for a player to be named later, Sixto Lezcano and Garry Templeton.
The 1993 season marked the only time between 1981 and 1996 that Smith failed to make the All-Star team, and Smith finished the 1993 season with a .288 batting average and .974 fielding percentage.
When conflict with Padres' ownership developed, he was traded to the Cardinals for shortstop Garry Templeton in 1982. Upon joining the Cardinals, Smith helped the team win the 1982 World Series.
Louis Cardinals === ==== 1982–1984 ==== On December 10, 1981, the Padres traded him along with a player to be named later and Steve Mura to the Cardinals for a player to be named later, Sixto Lezcano and Garry Templeton.
The teams completed the trade on February 19, 1982, with the Padres sending Al Olmsted to the Cardinals, and St.
As the 1982 season got underway, Herzog's newly assembled team won 12 games in a row during the month of April, and finished the season atop the National League East division.
Herzog would later say of Smith's contributions that, "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." 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.
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).
Louis' three-game series sweep. 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 best-of-seven 1982 World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cardinals scored two more runs in the 8th inning for a 6-3 win and the championship. After the World Series championship, Smith and the Cardinals agreed on a new contract in January 1983 that paid Smith $1 million per year.
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.
During July of the 1984 season, Smith went on the disabled list with a broken wrist after being hit by a pitch during a game against the Padres.
Three years later, his game-winning [run] during Game 5 of the 1985 National League Championship Series prompted broadcaster Jack Buck's "Go crazy, folks!" play-by-play call.
Despite a rotator cuff injury during the 1985 season, Smith posted career highs in multiple offensive categories in 1987.
Smith's return to the lineup a month later was not enough to propel the Cardinals to a postseason berth. ==== 1985–1986 ==== In 1985, Smith amassed a .276 batting average, 31 stolen bases, and 591 assists in the field.
Fortunately, I was able to get the ball up." The home run not only prompted broadcaster Jack Buck's "Go crazy folks" play-by-play call, but was also later voted the greatest moment in Busch Stadium history by Cardinals fans. 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.
It didn't get any better, but it was good enough that I didn't have to have surgery." Because of his injury, Smith let his then four-year-old son Nikko perform his traditional Opening Day backflip before the Cardinals' first home game of the 1986 season.
A 15-time All-Star, he accumulated 2,460 [(baseball)|hits] and 580 stolen bases during his career, and he won the NL Silver Slugger Award as the best-hitting shortstop in 1987.
Despite a rotator cuff injury during the 1985 season, Smith posted career highs in multiple offensive categories in 1987.
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. ==== 1987–1990 ==== 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.
Smith was also the leading vote-getter in the 1987 All-Star Game.
The Cardinals earned a postseason berth with 95 wins, and subsequently faced the San Francisco Giants in the 1987 National League Championship Series.
Smith contributed a triple during the series, and the Cardinals won the contest in seven games. The 1987 World Series matched the Cardinals against the American League champion Minnesota Twins.
Following the 1987 season, Smith was awarded the largest contract in the National League at $2.34 million. While the team did not see the postseason for the remainder of the decade, Smith continued to rack up All-Star appearances and Gold Gloves.
Known as a savvy dresser, he made the April 1988 cover of GQ magazine.
Smith opened "Ozzie's" restaurant and sports bar in 1988, started a youth sports academy in 1990, became an investor in a grocery store chain in 1999, and partnered with David Slay to open a restaurant in the early 2000s.
Smith was witness to change within the Cardinal organization when owner Gussie Busch died in 1989 and Herzog quit as manager during the 1990 season. ==== 1990–1995 ==== Joe Torre became Smith's new manager in 1990, but the team did not reach the postseason during Torre's nearly five-year tenure.
Smith was witness to change within the Cardinal organization when owner Gussie Busch died in 1989 and Herzog quit as manager during the 1990 season. ==== 1990–1995 ==== Joe Torre became Smith's new manager in 1990, but the team did not reach the postseason during Torre's nearly five-year tenure.
Smith opened "Ozzie's" restaurant and sports bar in 1988, started a youth sports academy in 1990, became an investor in a grocery store chain in 1999, and partnered with David Slay to open a restaurant in the early 2000s.
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.
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.
As a testament to his national visibility during this time, Smith appeared in a 1992 episode of The Simpsons titled "Homer at the Bat".
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. Smith won his final Gold Glove in 1992, and his 13 consecutive Gold Gloves at shortstop in the National League has yet to be matched.
Smith continued to earn Gold Gloves and All-Star appearances on an annual basis until 1993.
The 1993 season marked the only time between 1981 and 1996 that Smith failed to make the All-Star team, and Smith finished the 1993 season with a .288 batting average and .974 fielding percentage.
He appeared in 98 games during the strike-shortened 1994 season, and later missed nearly three months of the 1995 season after shoulder surgery on May 31.
Smith was recognized for his community service efforts 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. ==== 1996 ==== As Smith entered the 1996 season, he finalized a divorce from his wife Denise during the first half of the year.
During 1995 season, Smith had shoulder surgery and was out nearly three months.
He appeared in 98 games during the strike-shortened 1994 season, and later missed nearly three months of the 1995 season after shoulder surgery on May 31.
Smith was recognized for his community service efforts with the 1994 Branch Rickey Award and the 1995 Roberto Clemente Award.
Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996.
After tension with his new manager Tony La Russa developed in 1996, Smith retired at season's end, and his uniform number (No.
The 1993 season marked the only time between 1981 and 1996 that Smith failed to make the All-Star team, and Smith finished the 1993 season with a .288 batting average and .974 fielding percentage.
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. ==== 1996 ==== As Smith entered the 1996 season, he finalized a divorce from his wife Denise during the first half of the year.
The agreement prompted a press conference at Busch Stadium on June 19, 1996, during which Smith announced he would retire from baseball at season's end. 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 in Philadelphia.
The Cardinals held a special ceremony at Busch Stadium on September 28, 1996, before a game against the Cincinnati Reds, honoring 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. In the postseason, the Cardinals first faced the San Diego Padres in the 1996 National League Division Series.
The Cardinals then swept the series by winning Game 3 in San Diego. The Cardinals faced the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 National League Championship Series.
1) was subsequently retired by the Cardinals. Smith served as host of the television show This Week in Baseball from 1997 to 1998. == Early life == Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama, the second of Clovi and Marvella Smith's six children (five boys and one girl).
Smith also became color commentator for the local broadcast of Cardinals games on KPLR-TV from 1997 to 1999.
1) was subsequently retired by the Cardinals. Smith served as host of the television show This Week in Baseball from 1997 to 1998. == Early life == Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama, the second of Clovi and Marvella Smith's six children (five boys and one girl).
Smith also became color commentator for the local broadcast of Cardinals games on KPLR-TV from 1997 to 1999.
When his stint on This Week in Baseball concluded, Smith then moved on to do work for CNN-SI beginning in 1999.
Smith opened "Ozzie's" restaurant and sports bar in 1988, started a youth sports academy in 1990, became an investor in a grocery store chain in 1999, and partnered with David Slay to open a restaurant in the early 2000s.
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.
Smith opened "Ozzie's" restaurant and sports bar in 1988, started a youth sports academy in 1990, became an investor in a grocery store chain in 1999, and partnered with David Slay to open a restaurant in the early 2000s.
Louis Municipal Opera's summer 2001 production of The Wizard of Oz.
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2002.
After La Russa retired as manager of the Cardinals in 2011, Smith became active in the organization again, starting with his stint as a special instructor for the team's 2012 spring training camp. On January 8, 2002 Smith learned via a phone call he had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot by receiving 91.7% of the votes cast.
Louis on its way to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Smith served as a torchbearer in a ceremony with St.
Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame during ceremonies on July 28, 2002.
Smith cheered on his son Nikko as he cracked the top 10 finalists of the 2005 edition of American Idol.
Louis area since retiring from baseball, Smith authored a children's book in 2006 and launched his own brand of salad dressing in 2008. Besides the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Smith has been also inducted or honored in other halls of fame and recognitions.
Louis area since retiring from baseball, Smith authored a children's book in 2006 and launched his own brand of salad dressing in 2008. Besides the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Smith has been also inducted or honored in other halls of fame and recognitions.
Of those businesses the youth academy remains in operation, with the restaurant having closed in 2010 after changing ownership and locations once.
After La Russa retired as manager of the Cardinals in 2011, Smith became active in the organization again, starting with his stint as a special instructor for the team's 2012 spring training camp. On January 8, 2002 Smith learned via a phone call he had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot by receiving 91.7% of the votes cast.
After La Russa retired as manager of the Cardinals in 2011, Smith became active in the organization again, starting with his stint as a special instructor for the team's 2012 spring training camp. On January 8, 2002 Smith learned via a phone call he had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot by receiving 91.7% of the votes cast.
In 2012, Smith made news headlines again, when he sold all of his Gold Gloves at auction together for more than $500,000. == See also == List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders List of Major League Baseball career games played leaders List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders List of St.
Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2014. Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama, but his family moved to Watts, Los Angeles, when he was six years old.
In January 2014, the Cardinals announced Smith among 22 former players and personnel to be inducted into the St.
Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum for the inaugural class of 2014. == Career MLB statistics == === Hitting === === Fielding === ==Personal life== Smith is the father to three children from his marriage to former wife Denise; sons Nikko and Dustin, and daughter Taryn.
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