OZZIE SMITH

Biography

Ozzie Smith, a 15-time National League All-Star and future Hall of Fame shortstop, joined CNN/SI as baseball analyst in March 1998. His contributions to the network include a regular segment of baseball analysis and a weekly column on the network's Web site, CNNSI.com. He also analyzes breaking news in baseball, such as trades or injuries, on both the network and the Web site.

Smith is considered by many to be the greatest shortstop of all time. He played for 19 years, retiring after the 1996 season.

Smith began his career in 1977 with the San Diego Padres and was acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982.

He holds five National League records, including the season record for fielding percentage (.987) and most years leading the league in fielding percentage (seven). Smith also holds numerous Major League records, including most assists in a season (621 in 1980), assists in a career (over 8,300) and double plays in a career (more than 1,560).

Smith won a total of 13 consecutive gold gloves, the most by any shortstop in major league history, and was selected to play on the All-Star team 15 times. In 1994, Smith won the Branch Rickey Award, an award given to the player who personifies "service above self," and won the Roberto Clemente Award in 1995 for his work in the community.