Ozzie Smith Biography

Fast Facts

• Set major league records for his position in most assists, most double plays, most total chances accepted, most years with 500 or more assists and most years leading the league in assists and chances accepted
• The St․ Louis Cardinals retired his number in 1996, the same year that he retired from the team
• The San Diego Padres selected him in the fourth round of the 1977 draft
• Played baseball alongside future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray at Locke High School
• As a child, in addition to playing baseball, he enjoyed doing flips into piles of sawdust at a local lumberyard
• Quote: "I think of myself as an artist on the field․ Every game I look for a chance to do something that the fans have never seen before․"
• Quote: "When you're playing you want to be considered the best at what you do․ I went about doing that, setting myself apart from the rest of the crowd․"
• Quote: "I didn't want to be one of many, which you certainly are if you're in the norm․ But the guys that make it to the Hall of Fame are one of a few․"
• Started his MLB career playing for the San Diego Padres
• Best known as a shortstop for the St․ Louis Cardinals