Ozzie Smith wasn’t known as a powerhouse at the plate—his 19-year career generated exactly 28 home runs—but as a shortstop he had few equals. In fact, he is many fans’ pick as the best defensive shortstop in history. He was nicknamed “The Wizard” for his seemingly magical abilities out on the field, which earned him a multitude of honors during his playing career, including 15 All-Star appearances and 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
Smith began his career with the San Diego Padres in 1978 and went on to play four seasons with them. Smith's tenure with the Padres was marked by tensions with the team's ownership and struggles at the plate, but his defensive skills were already gaining admirers among fans. In 1980, his 621 assists for the season set a new (and still current) MLB record for shortstops, smashing Glenn Wright's 1924 total of 601.
After Smith joined the St. Louis Cardinals for the 1982 season, it became clear that he had found his proper home. He was a major contributor to the Cardinals’ championship drive and the team’s eventual seven-game victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the ’82 Fall Classic. Although Smith never won another World Series ring, he remained an extraordinary performer up until his retirement following the ‘96 season. That same year, Ozzie Smith's jersey number (1) was retired by the Cardinals, placing him among the ranks of franchise immortals like Dizzy Dean and Stan Musial. In 2002, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
If you’re a collector of MLB baseball jerseys, why not add a few authentic old-school Ozzie uniforms to your stash? Our Ozzie Smith jerseys, designed for accuracy and long-lasting use, look just like the ones that The Wizard wore while he was winning all those Gold Glove Awards. We have retro Ozzie Smith San Diego jerseys as well as uniforms representing his St. Louis Cardinals years. All these Ozzie Smith baseball jerseys feature carefully sewn names and numbers, not cheap screen printing. While you're picking up a few classic Ozzie Smith throwback jerseys, why not consider a few items from other MLB superstars? Custom Throwback Jerseys has a huge selection of apparel celebrating the careers of the best ballplayers in history, past and present.