Ozzie Smith to address CoSIDA Convention attendees in St. Louis at Busch Stadium

Ozzie Smith to address CoSIDA Convention attendees in St. Louis at Busch Stadium



As CoSIDA looks forward to the 2012 Convention in St. Louis, a sports icon in the Gateway City looks forward to addressing the membership on the final evening of the convention.

St. Louis Cardinal legend Ozzie Smith, considered to be the greatest defensive shortstop in the history of Major League Baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, will be the guest and provide his unique presentation and story to the CoSIDA Convention attendees at the final social event and farewell function on Tuesday, June 26.

That event is scheduled to take place in Busch Stadium, home of the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Smith's presentation to CoSIDA attendees will proceed the farewell party/reception.

“Ozzie is a legendary figure in the City of St. Louis, not only for his remarkable playing career, but also for his generous and tireless charitable efforts in the community,” said Eric McDowell, CoSIDA 3rd Vice President and Assistant AD/Sports Information at Union College (NY). “As athletic media relations professionals, we all know about the numbers that Ozzie recorded on the field. Our members will now learn more about Ozzie’s story before he became one of the best to ever play his position in his sport.”

When McDowell was the Assistant AD/SID at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he met Smith when the former Mustang star returned to campus as the program was moving to NCAA Division I.

Smith is still the Mustang standard bearer for most career stolen bases with 110, career at-bats (754) and twice stole a school-record 44 bases in a season. Ozzie earned All-American honors in 1976 and twice was named to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association first team. He played at Cal Poly from 1974 through 1977, before embarking on a professional career for the ages.

OZZIE SMITH BIOGRAPHY

Ozzie Smith is known in baseball as “The Wizard” and the best defensive shortstop of all time. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Smith retired from baseball in 1996 after playing 19 years in the major leagues, the first four years with the San Diego Padres and the final 15 with the St. Louis Cardinals. His nickname describes the way he played shortstop—he performed magic with his glove and performed in the infield with amazing acrobatic agility.

Ozzie broke countless records during his 19 years in the majors:

• All-time assist leader at shortstop with 8,375 assists
• All-time leader at turning double plays, with 1,590
• 13 consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, signifying the best at his position
• Started at shortstop for 10 consecutive years in the All Star Game, and was the No. 1 vote getter overall for the 1987 and 1988 All Star Games.

Other noteworthy baseball accomplishments include:

• Earned his 2000th hit in 1992, finishing his career with 2,460 hits
• Consistently one of the toughest hitters to strike out and in 1994 joined his friend Eddie Murray as the only two active players with 17 straight 100 hit seasons.
• Was named to the All Century 100 Best Baseball Players of the 20th Century by Major League Baseball.
• Selected as the shortstop on the 50 year Anniversary Rawlings Gold Glove Team

Off-the-Field Accomplishments
• 2001 recipient of the “Walter Payton Sweetness Award”, a Victor Award given to an athlete who has contributed to his community as well as being recognized in his particular sport.
• 1995 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award, the humanitarian award of Major League Baseball
• 1994 recipient of the Branch Rickey Award, personifying “Service Above Self”
• 1992 St. Louis Man of the Year, a prestigious civic award never before given to an athlete.
• 1986 Father of the Year Honors Group Award
• 1983 NAACP Image Award for Sportsmanship, Humanitarianism, and Community Involvement.

Smith's charitable endeavors almost always benefit children, and he has spent countless hours assisting various charities such as Multiple Sclerosis, The Variety Club, Ronald McDonald House, Annie Malone Children’s Home, The Boys Club of St. Louis, and Kids in the Middle. Currently, Ozzie serves as President of the Gateway PGA Foundation, an organization that reaches out to inner city youth via mentoring and golf programs.

Since retirement from baseball Ozzie succeeded Mel Allen as host of This Week in Baseball, was the color analyst for Cardinal broadcasts in 1997-1999, and served as the baseball analyst for CNNSI, a joint venture between CNN and Sports Illustrated from 1999 to 2002.

Ozzie proudly operated a restaurant in St. Louis, Ozzie’s Restaurant and Sports Bar at Westport Plaza, which closed its doors in October, 2009 after 21 years in business.

Currently, Ozzie serves as the Education Ambassador to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a position created expressly for him. Ozzie served in 2007, 2008 and 2009 as the honorary chairman of the AFLAC High School Baseball Classic, showcasing the top high school baseball players from across the country and benefits pediatric cancer research. He also has corporate affiliations with John Hancock Financial Services and Bank of America.

In 1998, 1999 and 2001 Ozzie was cast in three theatrical productions at The Municipal Theatre in St. Louis. He had a cameo role in “Damn Yankees” in 1998. In 1999 he sang and tap danced in “The Muny Goes British” a musical revue based on songs from various Broadway musicals, and in 2001 he starred as The Wizard in The Muny’s production of “The Wizard of Oz”.

In 2005, the CD, “Oh Say Can You Sing” was released featuring Ozzie singing the Sam Cooke song, “Cupid”. The CD includes 10 other major league baseball players singing their own versions of popular songs. Proceeds from this project go to the players’ designated charities.

Ozzie has three children and makes St. Louis his home because he feels a deep responsibility to give back to the community that has so enriched his life.