Thaindian News

Although the legendary baseball superstar, Ozzie Smith hasn’t played a single game for St. Louis Cardinals since 1986, still it seemed that as if he had never abandoned the lush green field, as he walked down the Busch stadium on Sunday.

Although there were no back flips, no glove antics at the short stop this time, as Ozzy was managing the U.S. Team for the All-Star Futures game, but he still remains as a crucial part of Cardinal’s baseball team. “This is the first time I have been in uniform on the field in this new stadium. It’s a wonderful feeling,” Smith said as he waved his caps to the thousands of fans sitting at the stadium, eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the superstar.

Ozzie’s position has been currently occupied by Cardinal’s baseman, Albert Pujols, a position that Ozzie held for as many as fifteen long years.

Whilst expressing his views over the fans, Ozzie said, “There always been a debate. But I have traveled all around. When you have the loyal fans like the Clubs have, and loyal fans like Boston and New York - similarly you have great fans everywhere.” While speaking about St. Louis, the legendary baseball player said, “There maybe better sports cities, but when it comes to baseball, this is the place.”

Smith, who was inducted in the Baseball Hall Of Fame in the year 2002, was traded in the Cardinals after the 1981 season by the San Diego Padres, with whom he had spent his first four seasons. Smith’s induction to Cardinal helped the team to win the National League pennant and defeat Milwaukee in the 1982 world series.

No wonder that the fans at St. Louis will be engulfed in the wizardry of Ozzie Smith once again.