When he retired, Luis Aparicio was considered the best defensive shortstop ever. At that time, he had played the most games, had the most assists and double plays, and had the best (they were not invented yet) best Dwar and zone range of any shortstop in MLB history. Since retiring, he has fallen…
Ranking the Shortstops The 1990’s and early 2000’s were the time of the shortstops. No longer were they just slick fielders. They became middle of the order hitters and MVP’s, Alex Rodriquez, Derek Jeter,Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejeda, and Barry Larkin lead the way. ♦ Most heroic, Travis ⇒ ♦ Biggest overachiever, Eckstein ⇒ ♦ Most disappointing career, Templeton…
At Citizens Bank Park, Omar Vizquel of the San Francisco Giants plays his 2,302nd game at shortstop, catching Cal Ripken, Jr. for third-most all time. Vizquel is now behind Hall of Famers Luis Aparicio (2,581) and Ozzie Smith (2,511). He will eventually pass both.
In the top of the sixth inning at Busch Stadium, Ozzie Smith emerges from the gate in right field wall in an open convertible. After touring the warning track, the former Cardinal shortstop removes the digit “1”, his old uniform number, which is affixed to the outfield wall, revealing a “0” to indicate the number of regular-season games scheduled at Busch Stadium.
Nikko Smith, Ozzie’s son who made it to the third round of theAmerican Idol semi-finals, is voted off the popular reality show. A few days later, the young entertainer will be asked back by the producers to replace Mario Vazquez, who withdrew from the competition, prompting judge Paula Abdul to call him “The Comeback Kid” after his performance of West Side Story’s “One Hand, One Heart”.
During his induction speech at the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown, with the song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ playing in the background and with a copy of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in his hands, Ozzie Smith compares his baseball career to Dorothy’s away trip from Kansas. Citing the recipe for his success during his 19-year career with the Cardinals and Padres, the 47 year-old tells the crowd he had the mind to dream, which the Scarecrow cherished, a heart to believe, which the Tin Man wanted, and courage to persevere, which the Lion lacked.
Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in his first year of eligibility. Smith is named on 91.7 percent of the ballots. Dubbed the “Wizard of Oz” due to his remarkable defensive abilities, Smith won 13 Gold Glove Awards during his 19-year career with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.
It seems like old timers day as the Cardinals whip the NL Central-leading Astros, 8 – 7. Willie McGee, playing for Ron Gant, has four hits and three RBI, while Ozzie Smith has three hits, three RBI, and four runs.
On June 19, 1996 Cardinals infielder Ozzie Smith, considered the best all-time defensive shortstop, announces he will retire at the end of the season. In his first year of eligibility, the writers elect the 15-time All-Star infielder will to the Hall of Fame.
Ozzie Smith takes part in the 1,554th twin killing of his career to set a new big league record for double plays. The Cardinals’ shortstop’s wizardry isn’t enough to prevent the Redbirds’ 7-6 loss to the Dodgers at Busch Stadium.