Ozzie Smith, shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals for 14-ish years, is being inducted into the HoF this weekend, and deservedly so.
Although I grew up hating the St. Louis Cardinals (being a Cubs fan ), I must admit that he was probably the best defensive shortstop to play the game. I had the pleasure of seeing him play at Busch Stadium a few times, and the mojo he brought to the stadium was palpable.
Here’s to a great player, and a weird, wee little man, getting the recognition he deserves.
By the way, next year Ryne Sandberg will be inducted, and maybe the [uses obscenities] Cubs will get around to retiring his number (#23, in case ya didn’t know ).
Ozzie goes in the weekend the Cards play the Cubs at home - if we sweep, it will be perfect. I gotta go, the game starts at 12:15 and I don’t want to miss a minute of the 98 degree heat.
Well, he was in The Scout, but he played himself, so I don’t think that qualifies as a “bad guy”.
And, rasthomie, I don’t think there’s any question that he was the best defensive shortstop to ever play – 13 consecutive Gold Gloves pretty much says it all. ESPN had some stuff on SportsCenter the other day with Ozzie talking about his life growing up. He didn’t own a baseball glove when he started, so he used a paper bag to practice with.
), I must admit that he was probably the best defensive shortstop to play the game. I had the pleasure of seeing him play at Busch Stadium a few times, and the mojo he brought to the stadium was palpable.
).