Combined with the attention he received from his contract, Smith continued to be a national figure. [30] Off the field, conflict developed between Padres' ownership and the combination of Smith and his agent, Ed Gottlieb. [121] 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. [23] Smith described the play by saying, "He hit a ball back up the middle that everybody thought was going into center field. BS - biology. [25][95] Meanwhile, manager Tony La Russa began his first season with the Cardinals in tandem with a new ownership group. Smith signed a new contract with the Cardinals in 1983 that would pay him one million dollars per year. Known as a savvy dresser, he made the April 1988 cover of GQ magazine. "The Wizardry of Ozzie Smith." [11] In addition to his academic education, he learned to switch-hit from Cal Poly coach Berdy Harr. [55] 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). That makes it difficult for a sculptor to do something with it. [66] Smith said, "I was trying to get an extra-base hit and get into scoring position. When conflict with Padres' ownership developed, he was traded to the Cardinals for shortstop Garry Templeton in 1982. ", "Smith corks one into right, down the line! [27] 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. 1996-2020. In 1996, Smith’s game time began to be cut back, and he was only playing on average, every third game. and he was also a real threat on the base paths. In the 1982 World Series, the Cardinals won the championship. [91] 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. Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama, the second of Clovi and Marvella Smith's six children (five boys and one girl). 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. Work Experience. Smith credited Padres manager Alvin Dark for giving him confidence by telling reporters the shortstop job was Smith's until he proved he can't handle it. Fortunately, I was able to get the ball up. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, in the United States. "[122], Smith has also been an entrepreneur in a variety of business ventures. [51][52] 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. December 26, April 1988. In 2008, he launched his own brand of salad dressing. [81] In 28 at-bats during the Series, Smith scored three runs and had two RBIs. [84] 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. Ozzie Smith was a famous baseball player. [3] Upon becoming a student at Locke High School, Smith played on the basketball and baseball teams. Smith continued to perform at the top of his game, being one of the best players in the league. [22] 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. [101] 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. "When it's 'Idol' time at Ozzie's, folks go crazy for Nikko". Ozzie Smith was born 26th December 1954, to Clovis and Marvella Smith. "[18], During a roadtrip to Houston, 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. [4][65], —Former New York Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson in 1987[5], 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. "Ozzie Puts Down Glove, Picks Up Mike.". Ozzie Smith (O G Smith) is on Facebook. It's a home run, and the Cardinals have won the game, by the score of 3 to 2, on a home run by the Wizard! About: Ozzie Smith. [117], 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. Vimeo is an amazing video service for original creative work, but it’s also a company with real human employees. [112], Smith finished his career with distinctions ranging from the accumulation of more than 27.5 million votes in All-Star balloting, to holding the record for the most MLB at-bats without hitting a grand slam. I hit the ground, bounced back up, and threw Burroughs out at first. Osborne Earl Smith, better known as Ozzie Smith, is a retired professional baseball player who played for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. He agreed to contract terms, and he made his Major League Baseball debut in April 1978. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, in the United States. Ozzie played shortstop for the St.Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres. [36][37] In 1981, Smith made his first All-Star Game appearance as a reserve player. 2009-2020. Every time you hit a ground ball, I owe you a buck. After visiting the the Ozzie Smith Centers of Springfield as a patient, or working with our physical therapists to streamline workers’ compensation injury care, you’ll quickly learn that we’re different from the rest. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2002. Posted on May 18, 2018 by AD. [115] When his stint on This Week in Baseball concluded, Smith then moved on to do work for CNN-SI beginning in 1999. After General Manager Walt Jocketty acquired shortstop Royce Clayton during the offseason, La Russa emphasized an open competition for the spot that would give the Cardinals the best chance to win. At John O’Leary Day: I got to meet Ozzie for the first time. Net Worth: Online estimates of Ozzie Smith’s net worth vary. After sustaining a broken wrist in the 1984 season, Smith had a fantastic season in 1985. By Kate Cronin and Alison Bagley. St. Louis Cardinals in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 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, "Ozzie Smith to Detroit? He was born in Mobile, Alabama to Clovi and Marvella Smith. [20][21], 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 stunning bride married mixed martial arts champion Ozzie Smith in a lavish wedding in her home town today (Saturday, September 21). Ozzie Smith has won many awards and honors. Smith served as host of the television show This Week in Baseball from 1997 to 1998. 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