Yep. Not even close. If they ever decide to create position specific awards (as opposed to a generic Gold Glove), the shortstop award will undoubtedly be named after Ozzie.
I used to write for Beckett Baseball Card Magazine. The first article I ever had published was on Ozzie Smith. He was a remarkable player and an all-around good guy. I met him in person at a baseball card show in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1989. I told him about the article and he knew about it and thanked me for writing it. He then autographed numerous items for me, a ball, bat, the article, his autobiography, and a copy of Sports Illustrated. And remember, Ozzie worked hard to improve his offense, batting over 300 with 40 doubles in 1987. One of my favorite players and I'm a Cubs fan.
I can't remember how many times in my life I've asked my friends the question, "Did you get the new Beckett?!" It's been a few years, but at one time it was a lot of em.
@@jeffwier696 TECHNICALLY, that was Honus Wagner, but Bill James ranks him first defensively. (James lists Wagner as the second greatest player in history)
@@CaptainLumpyDog lol well there is the small factor that I’m right, dude literally played his first couple seasons in the 19th century! Which isn’t even comparable to modern players.
Played against Oz in the Northeest league and immediately knew in my heart I was witnessing the all time best fielding shortstop in baseball. Ironically, my last year in minor league ball I visited Cooperstown hall of fame and upon my arrival whose larger than life picture do I see upon entry, Ozzie Smith. This was 1981 so years before he was officially inducted. I always felt he was a shoe in to the hall of fame. I met him and he is an all around great person. Thank you for the Friendship.
My dad was a HUGE Cardinals fan and as a kid I couldn't wait for the games to start just so I could see Ozzie do his back flip! Special moments with my dad 🩵 R.I.P. Dad 🙏🕊️
He saved maybe 10-12 more than the average shortstop did per year…. Which does not make up for being an offensive liability…. Which is why light hitting defensive specialists no longer exist in the game.
@@RyanStarr-bn9dv was he though? 2460 H, 402 2B, 580 SB, Silver Slugger in '87, walked way more than he struck out. No he wasn't a great hitter, but I wouldn't call him a liability
Been looking for years for a good Ozzie Smith compilation on TH-cam, and this is the best one I've seen. Only wish you could have used a clip of that Padres play where he was actually on screen. We also shouldn't forget that he had at least one classic offensive moment, that walk-off home run against the Dodgers in the playoffs.
A LEGEND! Ozzie and the rest of St louis Defensive was incredible! I know, I am a mets FAN! in 1982 they won the world series with less than 70 homeruns all year!
I was lucky enough to grow up in the St Louis area in the 80's. My mom grew up across the street from Whitey Herzog and I got to meet several Cardinals players in person...... including Ozzie. He was the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. He took a genuine interest in my baseball progress and even gave me some pointers. Greatest defensive player ever IMO!!!
I used to watch games on WGN as a kid and it seemed like every game he would do something amazing once a game. I figured that was the norm. He was definitely not normal.
I am so thankful to him for being on The Baseball Bunch. He taught me to throw early, when you don't have the strongest arm in the world, and it made me a much better shortstop.
Absolutely! Ozzie preached positioning, anticipation, and aggressiveness when fielding SS. lessons I personally applied when playing baseball during the 80s and 90s
Some said he wouldn’t had to be flashy as he was, but in the name of being something for those who come out to see him showing off his skill, he sure was one of the kind !!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I remember as a kid watching a play he made where he laid out to his left and the ball struck something, diverted back to his right. Mid slide, he reached his right hand up to bare hand the catch and throw the guy out. It may have been that pirate play in the beginning of this clip, although the catch was off the screen, but I could have sworn the play I recalled was with the cardinals. Either way, it was the most amazing baseball play I have ever seen, and was a inspiration to a young infielder.
At 2:10, what Lenny Harris does sliding into and making contact with mid-air Ozzie Smith is now completely illegal. In my opinion, it is sad what the MLB has done to baseball.
Ozzie was an outstanding defensive shortstop, the sad part is current MLB players barely even talk about him. It’s probably because of that Omar Vizquel is not in the Hall of Fame. Rey Ordonez wasn’t bad Eva.
I love how the base runner tries to take Ozzie out, but he still makes the play and keeps it moving. Today's players are so sensitive that they will get upset with that play.
So who would be the all time defensive starting lineman? I’m assuming it would start with Ozzie Smith, Mike Schmidt, and Johnny Bench. Maybe Greg Maddox pitching? Willie Mays at center field, or Ken Griffey Jr? Who else?
We were spoiled here in duh Lou for many years. I would put the 80s cardinals up against any team now or then. There defense was solid. The game today is very boring to watch. I miss that era of the game😢
Ozzie had the best range of any shortstop in history, but his arm wasn't great. He made accurate throws and knew how to use the turf in St. Louis to his advantage.
At the plate, Mr. Smith had a healthy .262 career batting average, let us remember, and he appears in the classic THE SIMPSONS episode, "Homer at the Bat."
These comments (for me) are below a video of a guy playing the OG terminator theme live. TH-cam bug, I guess. Seems appropriate for Ozzie Smith though.
The barehanded ground ball footage isn't that great here. I always thought that was the greatest play ever, until I saw the over shoulder catch whilst diving over Willie McGee.
Growing up a Mets fan, we hated Ozzie Smith... But respected him! Every play he made on the Mets was followed by some cuss words. This is what the WNBA doesn't understand... You can dislike a person but respect their talent! One more reason why men and women are different.
Why? Just Why go there? Obviously a Yankee/Jeter hater. Ozzie was the greatest defensive shortstop ever. No doubt. But if I am taking one of their careers I am taking Jeters. I am not even a Jeter fan but no way I am taking Smith over Jeter if I am starting a team. To answer your statement directly - I am not sure would want to carry his jockstrap. Its a little gross. No?
@@paulyp9853 If Jeter played for the Cardinals and Ozzie played for the Yankees the tables would be turned.. It's more about NY press bias than anything else.
@@mikelmart Forget the press. Dont love or hate because of the press look at the facts. Ozzie was the superior fielder. Cant be disputed by a liability with the bat. He was 13% below a league average player. Jeter was 15% better than a league average player. You dont get 3300 hits and hit .310 because of press hype. Look at the playoff numbers. Not the totals - the percentages. Career OPS Ozzie - .666 - Jeter .838. Sorry the disparity in defense doesnt make up for that. Not close. I wasnt even a big Jeter fan but I would take him 7 days a week and twice on Sunday over Ozzie if I was starting a team.
@@mikelmart Mike, I agree with you. Derek Jeter couldn't hold Ozzie Smith's jockstrap. Because he could never pull it out from the pitbull mouth grip of yours!
Been a Cardinals fan all my 67 years and ol’ #1 is my all time favorite! Smoother than your girlfriend’s bottom and cooler the other side of the pillow!
The greatest defensive shortstop ever to play hands down.
Damned straight.
Yep. Not even close.
If they ever decide to create position specific awards (as opposed to a generic Gold Glove), the shortstop award will undoubtedly be named after Ozzie.
He was the best at making amazing plays for sure but he is at best #40th when talking about fielding percentage for a SS with a lot of errors.
@@Shuganuttz Bill James ranks him as the as the greatest defensive shortstop (based on defensive Win Shares at shortstop).
@@Shuganuttz You aren't 40th rated SS at fielding and win the Gold Glove 13 years in a row!
"If Ozzie Smith hit .000, he'd be our starting shortstop."
-Whitey Herzog
Lol that cool quote
I used to write for Beckett Baseball Card Magazine. The first article I ever had published was on Ozzie Smith. He was a remarkable player and an all-around good guy. I met him in person at a baseball card show in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1989. I told him about the article and he knew about it and thanked me for writing it. He then autographed numerous items for me, a ball, bat, the article, his autobiography, and a copy of Sports Illustrated. And remember, Ozzie worked hard to improve his offense, batting over 300 with 40 doubles in 1987. One of my favorite players and I'm a Cubs fan.
I can't remember how many times in my life I've asked my friends the question, "Did you get the new Beckett?!"
It's been a few years, but at one time it was a lot of em.
Ozzie was a very mediocre offensive player. Only four times in his career was his ops above the league average. 85,87,91,92.
Dude, I remember Beckett
That’s one of the best highlight reals I ever seen in any sport.
No one deserves the name "Wizard" more than this great man! The greatest shortstop EVER! I'm so happy I got to watch him play!
@@jeffwier696 TECHNICALLY, that was Honus Wagner, but Bill James ranks him first defensively.
(James lists Wagner as the second greatest player in history)
I'm a Met fan and boy did was I always mad he made those plays against my team but always loved the way he played the game😊
Honus Wagner played in the 19th century, that doesn’t even count lol.
@@JoeBuck-uc3bl Learn some baseball history, friend. And he played in the 20th Century.
@@CaptainLumpyDog lol well there is the small factor that I’m right, dude literally played his first couple seasons in the 19th century! Which isn’t even comparable to modern players.
Played against Oz in the Northeest league and immediately knew in my heart I was witnessing the all time best fielding shortstop in baseball. Ironically, my last year in minor league ball I visited Cooperstown hall of fame and upon my arrival whose larger than life picture do I see upon entry, Ozzie Smith. This was 1981 so years before he was officially inducted. I always felt he was a shoe in to the hall of fame. I met him and he is an all around great person. Thank you for the Friendship.
To do this consistently on the different fields of grass & turf is amazing also.
@@dank9828 That's a really excellent point!
こんなに見てて楽しくワクワクさせてくれる選手は後にも先にもいない
What about Rickey Henderson?
Bo Jackson?
My dad was a HUGE Cardinals fan and as a kid I couldn't wait for the games to start just so I could see Ozzie do his back flip! Special moments with my dad 🩵 R.I.P. Dad 🙏🕊️
"Ozzie might not drive in 100 runs a year, but he will stop 100 runs from scoring with his glove."
He saved maybe 10-12 more than the average shortstop did per year…. Which does not make up for being an offensive liability…. Which is why light hitting defensive specialists no longer exist in the game.
@@RyanStarr-bn9dv was he though? 2460 H, 402 2B, 580 SB, Silver Slugger in '87, walked way more than he struck out. No he wasn't a great hitter, but I wouldn't call him a liability
@@RyanStarr-bn9dv10-12… what orifice did you pull that out of?
@@RyanStarr-bn9dvtell me you don’t understand baseball without telling me you don’t understand baseball.
I wanted to be him, when I was a kid! Loved watching him play
We all did, if you played little league during the 80s
Wow. So many catches behind him. And the perfection of the one bouncer off turf to first base. Along all the rest of it. Incredible.
13 Gold Gloves at Short Stop.
..That's phenomenal!
consecutive
Ozzie Smith, Highest Defensive WAR in baseball history!
…what is it good for?? Absolutely nothing, say it again, yeah!!! WAR, huh, good God y’all…Friend ONLY, to the undertaker…
LOL 😀
@@JoeBuck-uc3bl Edwin Starr.
Been looking for years for a good Ozzie Smith compilation on TH-cam, and this is the best one I've seen. Only wish you could have used a clip of that Padres play where he was actually on screen.
We also shouldn't forget that he had at least one classic offensive moment, that walk-off home run against the Dodgers in the playoffs.
A LEGEND! Ozzie and the rest of St louis Defensive was incredible! I know, I am a mets FAN! in 1982 they won the world series with less than 70 homeruns all year!
I was lucky enough to grow up in the St Louis area in the 80's. My mom grew up across the street from Whitey Herzog and I got to meet several Cardinals players in person...... including Ozzie. He was the nicest person you'd ever want to meet. He took a genuine interest in my baseball progress and even gave me some pointers. Greatest defensive player ever IMO!!!
The speed from the ground back to his feet is unreal
A shortstop like no other
Ozzie was a great athlete and the best shortstop ever. The Wizard. Him and Gus Williams.
This was awesome… my favorite player of all time
Would be interesting to compare Ozzie and Omar Vizquel-- both were incredibly amazing masters of defense.
I used to watch games on WGN as a kid and it seemed like every game he would do something amazing once a game. I figured that was the norm. He was definitely not normal.
Nobody was more fun to watch than Oz. Few players have ever drawn crowds to watch defense
I am so thankful to him for being on The Baseball Bunch. He taught me to throw early, when you don't have the strongest arm in the world, and it made me a much better shortstop.
Absolutely! Ozzie preached positioning, anticipation, and aggressiveness when fielding SS. lessons I personally applied when playing baseball during the 80s and 90s
He played on that ultra fast astro turf too. His athleticism was second to none but his ability to read the ball off the bat was obviously elite.
What an absolute joy he was to watch.
Some said he wouldn’t had to be flashy as he was, but in the name of being something for those who come out to see him showing off his skill, he sure was one of the kind !!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
These were the Cards of my late teens. Did not know how incredibly lucky we were to watch them. Fantastic players through the team.
Cal and Derek recognized this man as the wizard, for sure
Ozzie and Jordan highlights are the greatest sports highlights.
He is and was the best ever short stop of all time !!! The Wiz
I remember as a kid watching a play he made where he laid out to his left and the ball struck something, diverted back to his right. Mid slide, he reached his right hand up to bare hand the catch and throw the guy out. It may have been that pirate play in the beginning of this clip, although the catch was off the screen, but I could have sworn the play I recalled was with the cardinals. Either way, it was the most amazing baseball play I have ever seen, and was a inspiration to a young infielder.
Baseball is entertainment and Ozzie was one of the best entertainers.
Great player a Legend❤
Simply greatest!!!
Thank you for this upload!
Great Player👍 God bless him
I was lucky enough to be a kid/player during most of his career. Absolute GOAT at the SS position.
As a Met fan, I had a love/hate relationship with Ozzie. He was a Wizard for sure.
My hero
Ozzie Smith, born to be great.
Like a Baryshnikov of infielders.
simply the best.
No one played SS Like the wizard!!!
I'll never forget this backhand he made while warming up for an all-star game.
Only 1 wizard
Ozzie Smith and John Kruk, the best athletes to ever grace The Show.
At 2:10, what Lenny Harris does sliding into and making contact with mid-air Ozzie Smith is now completely illegal. In my opinion, it is sad what the MLB has done to baseball.
Ozzie was an outstanding defensive shortstop, the sad part is current MLB players barely even talk about him. It’s probably because of that Omar Vizquel is not in the Hall of Fame. Rey Ordonez wasn’t bad Eva.
Insane
Only 6:53?!? He was the highlight reel every night on SportsCenter
You can't beat ozzy smith as a shortstop. I'm a life long Cardinals fan. He's a lifetime 200 hitter, but he was in the starting line up every day.
He's actually a lifetime.262 hitter with over 2400 hits.
@@davidmitchell6873the crazy thing about he is hitting better than all of my team I’m a read fan
That play at 2:08 was insane
Ozzie Smith. The Chuck Knaublauch of his era with the sophisticated gymnastics.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT,,,CHUCK KNOBLAUCH,,,,ARE YOU TROLLING!!!
No other shortstop then or since has been able to come even close to the wizardry of The Great Oz-zie!
Guy was amazing. Backflipped to short
No one has ever come close sense.
Next to Honus Wagner, I consider Smith the best shortstop in MLB history
I’m surprised this video isn’t longer. The Wizard made plays like this every week.
You ever tried to throw a ping pong ball past a cat in a hallway????? Same thing
LOL
I love how the base runner tries to take Ozzie out, but he still makes the play and keeps it moving.
Today's players are so sensitive that they will get upset with that play.
So who would be the all time defensive starting lineman? I’m assuming it would start with Ozzie Smith, Mike Schmidt, and Johnny Bench. Maybe Greg Maddox pitching? Willie Mays at center field, or Ken Griffey Jr? Who else?
Mine would be:
P - Maddux
C - Jim Sundberg
1B - Keith Hernandez
2B - Roberto Alomar
SS - Ozzie
3B - Brooks Robinson
LF - Brett Gardner
CF - Andruw Jones
RF - Clemente
Greatest shortstop ever, don’t him to hit I need defense and he was the best at it ! Him and Brooks means no hits on the left side on the ground !
I don't think anyone ever had more fun playing baseball than Ozzie Smith.
Such a shame he disappeared forever in the Springfield Mystery Spot.
Whats that?
@@justicejuiced262’Homer at the Plate.’ One of the very greatest Simpsons episodes.
Totally worth looking up!
I mean this highlight reel made it seem as if the real wizard throughout his career was his first baseman with all those picks.
Imagine if some how robby alomar and the wizard of oz could of rolled up the middle together in their primes
When runner tried to take them out.
🤔My favorite player , altho I am a Mariners fan.😎
I'd put Rey Ordonez as the best I've ever seen but Ozzie was a great fielder for sure.
Yeah that's right 👍
from the era when the hard slide into second was routine/mandatory...
Ozzie Smith had unbelievable range. No wonder his career WAR was over 40.
Walking, talking, and backflipping highlight reel!😯
If you took Derek jeters offense and Ozzie smith’s defense you’d have the perfect player.
The most fitting nickname in sports history. The Wizard.
Back when you could get taken out at 2nd base
That double play where he leaps over Lenny Harris is simply otherworldly
Guy from Moneyball: "I don't care about defense."
This:
We were spoiled here in duh Lou for many years. I would put the 80s cardinals up against any team now or then. There defense was solid. The game today is very boring to watch. I miss that era of the game😢
Most importantly, he was on that famous Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team😅
Ozzie had the best range of any shortstop in history, but his arm wasn't great. He made accurate throws and knew how to use the turf in St. Louis to his advantage.
At the plate, Mr. Smith had a healthy .262 career batting average, let us remember, and he appears in the classic THE SIMPSONS episode, "Homer at the Bat."
Only four times was Ozzie an above average offensive player in a season. 85,87,90,91.
@@alwillk Thanks. I didn't say he was above average.
- Ok+ Ultra, #Prado
, Ultra Drive. #gfpR
These comments (for me) are below a video of a guy playing the OG terminator theme live. TH-cam bug, I guess. Seems appropriate for Ozzie Smith though.
Padres had it good at short. Templeton came next if I recall correctly.
Templeton came the other way from the Ozzie trade after all
@@reintaler6355 ahh. Thanks. Did not know it was through a trade. I just remember being 10 years old or so and those two being my favorite shortstops
Did Mrs. Kroc ever admit she was foolish to let Ozzie Smith leave?
El Gran mago!!!!
If the Wizard can't catch it, no one can. Truth.
Cutting all these to 16:9 means he's out of frame on a few of these highlights.
The barehanded ground ball footage isn't that great here. I always thought that was the greatest play ever, until I saw the over shoulder catch whilst diving over Willie McGee.
Curt Ford, not Willie McGee.
Put in the HOF with a paltry b/a of .262 because he did backflips on the field.
Great Ball player. 13 gold gloves at shoetstop is absurd
Andrelton Simmons was better by every advanced metric that we have available.
Yawn.
Growing up a Mets fan, we hated Ozzie Smith... But respected him! Every play he made on the Mets was followed by some cuss words. This is what the WNBA doesn't understand... You can dislike a person but respect their talent! One more reason why men and women are different.
I bet the pitchers on the mond love having him behind them.
Jeter couldn't carry his jockstrap.
Why? Just Why go there? Obviously a Yankee/Jeter hater. Ozzie was the greatest defensive shortstop ever. No doubt. But if I am taking one of their careers I am taking Jeters.
I am not even a Jeter fan but no way I am taking Smith over Jeter if I am starting a team.
To answer your statement directly - I am not sure would want to carry his jockstrap. Its a little gross. No?
@@paulyp9853 If Jeter played for the Cardinals and Ozzie played for the Yankees the tables would be turned.. It's more about NY press bias than anything else.
@@mikelmart Forget the press. Dont love or hate because of the press look at the facts. Ozzie was the superior fielder. Cant be disputed by a liability with the bat. He was 13% below a league average player. Jeter was 15% better than a league average player.
You dont get 3300 hits and hit .310 because of press hype. Look at the playoff numbers. Not the totals - the percentages. Career OPS Ozzie - .666 - Jeter .838. Sorry the disparity in defense doesnt make up for that. Not close.
I wasnt even a big Jeter fan but I would take him 7 days a week and twice on Sunday over Ozzie if I was starting a team.
@@mikelmart
Mike, I agree with you. Derek Jeter couldn't hold Ozzie Smith's jockstrap.
Because he could never pull it out from the pitbull mouth grip of yours!
@@feetsoap4266 Oh another New York nobody is better than us fan. I love rattling those east coast feathers and their one sided bias
And my dad says he shouldn't be in the HOF!
Yes. The best defense ever. But Many Short stops are way better hitters
Only him & brooks Robinson in the hof for fielding.
Bill Mazeroski.
Ray Schalk
If only he could make one slick play it’d be interesting…
@@elementrypenguin3116 Ha!
Been a Cardinals fan all my 67 years and ol’ #1 is my all time favorite! Smoother than your girlfriend’s bottom and cooler the other side of the pillow!
He doesn’t have a strong arm???!!