We celebrate the birth of St. Louis Cardinals legend, Ozzie Smith, in style.
Today we celebrate the birthday of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop, the “Wizard” of Arch City, Ozzie Smith.
Of course, we will do so in style, looking back on the “Wizard’s” all-time greatest MLB moments. Over his illustrious career his statistics and accolades no doubt earned him that nifty nickname:
- MLB Hall of Fame class of 2002
- St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame
- St. Louis Cardinals #1 retired
- World Series champion (1982)
- NLCS MVP (1985)
- 15-time National League All-Star (1981–1992, 1994–1996)
- 13-time National League Gold Glove Award (1980–1992)
- Silver Slugger Award (1987)
- Roberto Clemente Award (1995)
- 2,460 career MLB hits
- 580 career Stolen Bases
- 2nd in all-time in assists at Shortstop — 8,375
- 2nd in all-time in double plays at Shortstop –1,590
Ozzie Smith played college baseball at Cal Poly, where he was selected in the seventh round by the San Diego Padres in 1977 — after initially drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1976, but he declined their low-ball offer.
Happy Birthday to the Wizard of Oz, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, a 15x All-Star and 13x Gold Glove SS who debuted in the majors with @Padres in 1978, where he was the ROY runner-up before being eventually traded to @Cardinals for Gary Templeton and Sixto Lezcano in 1981. pic.twitter.com/6qHgQSc6Y4
— 1970s Baseball (@70sBaseball) December 26, 2017
During his first four years in the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres, Ozzie Smith couldn’t hit the blind side of a barn, with his offensive numbers flat out awful — .231/.295/.278.
Setting MLB records for assists, double plays & total chances during his career, 13-time Gold Glove winner Ozzie Smith redefined the position of SS in his nearly two decades of work with the @Padres and @Cardinals. #HBD to @STLWizard! https://t.co/1SsEvXvd4L (📸: Brad Mangin) pic.twitter.com/9LQOPXCwOZ
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) December 26, 2017
His stellar defense, however, kept him in the everyday lineup.
Before the 1982 season, the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres swapped shortstops, with Smith going to the Lou and Templeton to sunny San Diego — a trade considered to be outrageous at the time, heavily in San Diego’s favor.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
However, the trade ended up equally beneficial for both squads, with Templeton guiding the Padres to their first ever World Series, while Smith clinched three NL pennants of his own — including a World Serie title in 1982.
Smith found more of a groove at the plate, with a batting average of .272 during his successful career with the Redbirds, to go with his speed on the bases, and incredible Gold Glove at shortstop.
Not known for his power, with only 28 career regular season home runs, his lone postseason bomb was one for the ages, guiding the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1985 World Series.
His highlight career ended with one final trip the MLB postseason, capping off a stellar career in the Major Leagues.
Next: Tony Gwynn: Mr. Padre’s legend and legacy in San Diego
Ozzie Smith may be a young 63 years old, but he will always be number one in our hearts — and on the rafters of Busch Stadium in St. Louis.