Call to the pen
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Ozzie Smith has a couple of innings left if needed

By David Hill

CINCINNATI, OH - CIRCA 1993: Ozzie Smith #1 of the St. Louis Cardinals is down and ready to make a play on the ball against the Cincinnati Reds during a Major League baseball game circa 1993 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Smith played for the Cardinals from 1982-96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - CIRCA 1993: Ozzie Smith #1 of the St. Louis Cardinals is down and ready to make a play on the ball against the Cincinnati Reds during a Major League baseball game circa 1993 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Smith played for the Cardinals from 1982-96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith could be coaxed out of retirement if the shortstop situation gets bad enough.

It has been 24 years since Ozzie Smith did his final backflip in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform. The legendary shortstop was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002, and is rapidly approaching his 66th birthday. No one would expect Smith to be in the news at this point unless it involved a retrospective of his career.

But that was before COVID-19 ravaged the position for the Cardinals. Not only did starting shortstop Paul DeJong test positive, but backup Edmundo Sosa did as well. Presuming the Cardinals resume play, Tommy Edman would be the primary option at short, with Brad Miller and Max Schrock behind him.

And then, there is Smith. Realizing the issues that the Cardinals have in their infield, he sent coach Willie McGee a text saying that he felt that he had “a couple of innings left in him” if the situation was dire enough.

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There would be obvious barriers to Smith coming back. He would need to undergo the COVID-19 testing that every player does, although manager Mike Schildt thinks that Smith’s Red Jacket might expedite that process. And he would still need to get back into game shape.

But it is fun to think about what the 65 year old Smith could do on defense. Schildt wondered if he would use the defensive positioning cards that are prevalent these days, or if he would use his own instincts on the diamond. And one has to wonder if Smith could catch up to the 100MPH fastballs being pumped into the zone with abandon.

Smith had a well decorated career with the Cardinals and Padres. He was a 15 time All Star and 13 time Gold Glove winner, his 239 runs saved at short the MLB record. Smith produced a respectable .262/.337/.328 batting line with 402 doubles and 508 steals in his Hall of Fame career, solid numbers from an era when middle infielders did not hit much at all.

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Ozzie Smith thinks he has a couple of innings left in him. It could be fun to find out.

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