After attending college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ozzie Smith was drafted by the San Diego Padres. He played Major League Baseball for 18 years, most notably as the shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is widely believed to be the best defensive shortstop of all time, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2002. Father of 2005 American Idol Top 10 Finalist, Nikko Smith.
Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, his first year of eligibility.
Won the fifth game of the National League Championship Series with a homerun in the ninth-inning.
Switch-hitting shortstop for the San Diego Padres (1978-1981) and St. Louis Cardinals (1982-1996).
High school teammate of Hall of Famer Eddie Murray.
Fifteen time All-Star and thirteen time Gold Glove Award winner.
Holds the major league record for shortstops for most assists in a season (621), which he set in 1980.
Holds the major league record for shortstops for most assists (8375), most double plays (1590), most total chances accepted (12,624), most years with 500 or more assists (8) and most years leading the league in assists and total chances accepted (8).
Set an NL record for fewest errors in a season by a shortstop in 1991 with 8.
Notable career statistics: 2,573 Games (34th All Time), 9,396 At Bats (39th All Time), 2,460 Hits (87th All Time), 1,072 Walks (72nd All Time), 580 Stolen Bases (20th All Time), 3,565 Times on Base (73rd All Time) and 214 Sacrifice Hits (71st All Time).
Highest paid player in National League in 1988 earning $2,340,000.
Finished 2nd in voting for 1987 National League MVP for having.303 batting average, playing in 158 games, 600 At Bats, 104 Runs, 182 Hits, 40 Doubles, 89 Walks, 43 Stolen Bases, 272 Times on Base and 12 Sacrifice Hits.
1985 National League Championship Series MVP for having.435 batting average, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 home run, 3 RBI, 3 walks and 1 stolen base.
Member of 1982 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals team. Member of 1985 and 1987 National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals teams. Member of 1996 National League Central Division Champion St. Louis Cardinals team.
Named to 15 National League All-Star Teams (1981-1992 and 1994-1996) and won 13 National League Gold Glove Awards at Shortstop (1980-1992).
Led the National League in fielding average for shortstops in 8 seasons (1981-1982, 1984-1987, 1991, 1994).
Made major league debut on 7 April 1978.
Named to Baseball Digest magazines 1978 Rookie All-Star Team.
Father of Nikko Smith, contestant on the 2005 season of American Idol
Son is 2005 American Idol Top 10 finalist Nikko Smith.
What I did, I did every day. Anyone can make a great play every now and,then on any given day. But what I did, I did everyday.
I may not drive in 100 runs each year, but I can prevent 100 runs from,scoring against us. .
