Bernell DorroughWhile most of this year’s graduating seniors were just beginning their seventeen-year journey through education, Osborne “Ozzie” E. Smith was at the height of his nineteen-season Hall of Fame baseball career, the latter fifteen of which he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. For his accomplishments on and off the field, Washington University will award Smith with an honorary doctorate of humanities.
Smith was born in Mobile, Alabama but spent his childhood on the west coast growing up in Los Angeles, California. His first experience with organized sports was through the local community YMCA. Not only did he love to play baseball, but with the hometown Dodgers close by, he was also a fan. Commenting on those early baseball years he said, “We would take the bus to Dodgers Stadium a lot and sit in the bleachers to watch the games.” His love of baseball grew from those experiences as well as playing in the nearby sandlot with others from his neighborhood.
Considered by many to be the finest-fielding shortstop ever, Smith made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres. In February of 1982, the Cardinals, in what is considered to be the best acquisition in franchise history, exchanged their shortstop Garry Templeton for Smith. In his first career season, Smith and the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers to win the World Series title, the Redbird’s first since 1967.
Known more for his defensive abilities, Smith commented on his offensive skills that showed improvement over the course of his career.
“When I first got to the majors, I had no formal teaching on offence,” he said. “I didn’t hit the ball with much power, but my defensive prowess overshadowed it. I was driven to become a better hitter by people who thought and said I couldn’t produce offensively. When they said that I couldn’t, I said that I could and I can.”
While winning the 1982 World Series and then returning to the championship series twice more in 1985 and 1987 were all very memorable, Smith noted that the highlight of his career took place last summer when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
“Only one tenth of one percent of the best of the best make it there,” he said. “I did not set that as a goal, but it’s the ultimate compliment. It’s tough to put into words…I never really planned on it or put myself in the same category with the baseball greats. My goal was to be as consistent a ballplayer as I could be with my god given talent.”
Consistent, he was. Smith won a record setting 13-consecutive Gold Glove awards between 1980 and 1992, breaking the record of 12 previously set by his favorite childhood player, Pittsburgh Pirate great Roberto Clemente. Asked what he believed was his greatest contribution to baseball Smith said, “The level of professionalism I brought to the game. I did the best I could everyday – I didn’t always win, but I think people appreciated the effort.”
All accolades aside, when asked what he would most like to be remembered for, Smith stated, “I think my professionalism and my work ethic. I have always believed that if you work hard, great things will happen to you.”
Smith’s professionalism has also carried over into his charitable work throughout the St. Louis Community, especially in youth development. One significant contribution is that he created a Sports Academy in St. Louis that provides camps and organized instructional clinics in various sports, such as baseball, softball, basketball and soccer.
When he was notified that he would be receiving an honorary degree from WU, Smith said his first thoughts were, “It’s nice to be rewarded for things you’ve done in the community, but you mostly see people like Bill Cosby or Oprah Winfrey getting them on TV. I never really looked at myself as being in the same category. I am proud to be receiving this honor from a school with such an excellent reputation.” He added, “I would like to thank the staff, faculty, and school administration that would bestow such an honor on me.”
When asked what advice he would give to graduating seniors he said, “Hold on to your dreams, and never lose sight of that. You are only going to get out of life what you put into it. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone, so give it all that you have.”