Ozzie Smith agrees to go to the Cardinals

February 11, 1982February 9, 2024 Podcast, Transactions

On February 11, 1982 — Ozzie Smith agrees to go to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete the December deal that finally sends Gary Templeton to the San Diego Padres.

An outside arbitrator, Tom Roberts, will determine ‘the Wizard of Oz’s’ Cardinal salary before the season starts, awarding the light-hitting Gold Glove shortstop $450,000, rather than the $750,000 he requested. Smith batted only .222 for the Padres in 1981, but will blossom into stardom in St. Louis.

Helping St. Louis win the 1982 World Series.

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