Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith (born December 26, 1954) is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996. Nicknamed "The Wizard" for his defensive brilliance, Smith set major league records for career assists (8,375) and double plays (1,590) by a shortstop (the latter since broken by Omar Vizquel), as well as the National League (NL) record with 2,511 career games at the position; Smith won the NL Gold Glove Award for play at shortstop for 13 consecutive seasons (1980–1992). A 15-time All-Star, he accumulated 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases during his career, and won the NL Silver Slugger Award as the best-hitting shortstop in 1987. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2002.
Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama, but his family moved to Watts, Los Angeles when he was six years old. While participating in childhood athletic activities, Smith developed quick reflexes; he went on to play baseball in high school and college, at Los Angeles' Locke High School and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo respectively. Drafted as an amateur player by the Padres, Smith made his major league debut in 1978. He quickly established himself as an outstanding fielder, and later became known for performing backflips on special occasions while taking his position at the beginning of a game. Smith won his first Gold Glove Award in 1980, and made his first All-Star Game appearance in 1981. When conflict with Padres' ownership developed, he was traded to the Cardinals for shortstop Garry Templeton in 1982.
William Nuschler Clark, Jr. (born March 13, 1964) is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the San Francisco Giants from 1986 to 1993. Will was known by the nickname of "Will the Thrill." One story states that he earned the nicknames by his classmates at Jesuit High School in New Orleans, where he played both varsity baseball and varsity basketball. The more common story states that former teammate Bob Brenly gave Clark the moniker after Clark reportedly stated, "I'm just thrilled to be here," when asked about his recent call-up to the big leagues. The nickname has often been truncated to simply, "The Thrill." Another more generic nickname shared by Will, as well as other players past and present, is "The Natural" because of his natural gifts as a baseball player. Ken Griffey Jr., Jeff Francoeur, Rick Ankiel, and most recently, Josh Hamilton have also donned the epic nickname.
Clark was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on August 1, 2008. [2]
Ozzie Smith Highlight Video
Ozzie Smith makes greatest infield play of all time!
Ozzie makes an incredible diving stop, throw
Hall of Fame Shortstop Ozzie Smith demonstrates defensive tactics
PHI@STL: Ozzie Smith does back flip on Opening Day
Ozzie Smith delivers Hall of Fame induction speech
The Baseball Bunch OZZIE SMITH Fielding, Part 1
The Baseball Bunch OZZIE SMITH Fielding, Part 2
Ozzie Smith: Infielder Drills
This Week In Baseball - Ozzie Smith (2002)
SF@STL: Benches clear after Clark's slide into second
The Baseball Bunch - Fielding - Ozzie Smith - Gary Carter - Graig Nettles - FULL Video 1986
Official Ozzie Smith Video Tribute (Career Highlights) - LGMHighlightMixes
Ozzie Smith Great Play All Star Game Standing Ovation!
Ozzie Smith Highlight Video
Ozzie Smith makes greatest infield play of all time!
Ozzie makes an incredible diving stop, throw
Hall of Fame Shortstop Ozzie Smith demonstrates defensive tactics
PHI@STL: Ozzie Smith does back flip on Opening Day
Ozzie Smith delivers Hall of Fame induction speech
The Baseball Bunch OZZIE SMITH Fielding, Part 1
The Baseball Bunch OZZIE SMITH Fielding, Part 2
Ozzie Smith: Infielder Drills
This Week In Baseball - Ozzie Smith (2002)
SF@STL: Benches clear after Clark's slide into second
The Baseball Bunch - Fielding - Ozzie Smith - Gary Carter - Graig Nettles - FULL Video 1986
Official Ozzie Smith Video Tribute (Career Highlights) - LGMHighlightMixes
Ozzie Smith Great Play All Star Game Standing Ovation!
LAD@STL: Ozzie Smith reaches 2,000th hit milestone
Millions of Cardinals Memories: Busch Stadium 1966-2005:Bonus Footage
Ozzie jumps over runner to turn double play
Ozzie Smith - Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies
The Flip
Will Clark takes on Ozzie Smith and Jose Oquendo
MLB 15 The Show Diamond Dynasty Gameplay! Harper And Ozzie Smith Debut In High Scoring Game!
GoCrazy
Ozzie Smith A Tribute to the best defensive player ever to play the game.(SLIDE SHOW)
Ozzie Smith Interview about the High School Baseball Classic
Ozzie Smith Interview
Cardinals Ozzie Smith interview at 2011 All Star Game
Interview with MLB Legend Ozzie Smith Part 1
Ozzie Smith All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Pre-Game Interview
OZZIE SMITH interview with Jock 98.7 The Sports Reporter's host Ned Reynolds
Greg Warren interviews Ozzie Smith