He was born Osborne Earl Smith on the day after Christmas, 1954, in Mobile, Alabama. Everyone called him Ozzie, and when he made it to the major leagues, he was nicknamed "the Wizard of Oz." Ozzie Smith combined athletic ability with acrobatic skill to become one of the greatest defensive shortstops of all time.

In 19 seasons with the Padres and Cardinals, the 13-time Gold Glove Award winner set major league shortstop records for assists, double plays and total chances. He would develop into an offensive weapon, finishing with over 2,400 hits and 500 stolen bases. His ninth-inning home run won the fifth game of the 1985 National League Championships Series.

He and his family, which included five siblings, moved to the Watts section of Los Angeles, Ca. Although he played a number of sports as a youngster, he never played a position on the baseball field other than shortstop. On an academic scholarship to California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California, Ozzie was a walk on to the baseball team.

After signing in the fourth round of the 1977 draft Ozzie joined the San Diego Padres signing for $5,000. His professional baseball career began with the Walla Walla (WA) Padres of the Class A Northwest League. He lead the league in games played, at-bats, runs scored and stolen bases but also lead league shortstops in double plays, assists and fielding percentage.

After only 68 games of professional experience he made the jump to the major leagues. As their regular shortstop in 1978, he helped the Padres to an 84-78 record, played in 159 of the team's 162 games, let the league in sacrifice hits with 28, finished fourth in stolen bases with 40, and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors. It was his defense, however, that caught everyone's eye. Padres manager Roger Craig said at the time, "Ozzie is the best young infielder I've ever seen&.very soon he's going to be one of the best shortstops in baseball, if not the best."

The first of 13 consecutive Gold Glove awards would come Smith's way in 1980, the same year he would set the major league single-season record for most assists by a shortstop (621) and lead the league shortstops in total chances, putouts and double plays.

After the 1981 season, in which he was named to his first of 12 straight All-Star teams, Ozzie was traded to the Cardinals. It was there, in Saint Louis, that his career and national recognition would blossom. Now possessing the kind of defensive shortstop needed for Busch Stadium's quick artificial turf the Cardinals would win the Nation League East in 1982. Ozzie became the first $1 million shortstop. Said Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog of Smith at the time of the signing, "He took two hits or a run away from our opponents every game last year. That's just as important as a guy who drives in runs."

As Smith's career continued through the 1980's and early 1990's the accomplishments and milestones continued to pile up: in 1991 he set the NL record for fewest errors in a season by a shortstop with eight; in 1992 he collected his 2,000th hit, 500th stolen base and won his 13th consecutive Gold Glove Award.

Smith retired after the 1996 season, the same year the Cardinals retired his number, and in his 19 seasons compiled a .262 batting average, 2,460 hits, 580 stolen bases, 13 Gold Glove awards, and was named to 15 All-Star teams. Now in the Hall of Fame he set the following major league records for his position: most assists (8,375), most double plays (1,590), most total chances accepted (12,624), most years with 500 or more assists (8), and most years leading the league in assist and chances accepted (8).

Off the field, Smith has been active in civic projects and won the Branch Rickey award in 1994, which is given to the player who personified "service above self." He also won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1995 for his work in the community. Smith's worked in broadcasting, including hosting the long-running television show, This Week in Baseball, and working for CNN/SI as a baseball analyst.