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Ozzie Smith, also known as “The Wizard,” was known for his defensive skills and his acrobatic flips, diving catches, and impeccable fielding. As a result, Ozzie Smith baseball cards are highly sought after by collectors in the hobby.
Much of his success came with the St. Louis Cardinals, helping the team win the World Series in his first year with the team and hit a memorable game-winning home run in 1985.
In 1987, Smith had perhaps his best season, hitting .303 with 104 runs scored, 75 RBI, 40 doubles, 43 stolen bases, and an OBP of .392. Smith retired with a .262 batting average, 2,460 hits, and 580 stolen bases. He was a 15-time All-Star and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Here are the top 3 Ozzie Smith baseball cards we like best.
1. 1979 Topps #116 Ozzie Smith Baseball Cards
Ozzie Smith’s rookie card from the 1979 Topps set is arguably one of the most iconic baseball cards of all time.
It features Ozzie Smith in his San Diego Padres uniform. The rarity of this Ozzie Smith rookie card in good condition makes this card very valuable. But the card is difficult to find in good condition due to off-centering, which prevents most cards from getting a PSA 9 or higher.
2. 1980 Topps #393 Ozzie Smith Baseball Cards
The 1980 Topps Ozzie Smith baseball card is another popular card among collectors. This card features a photo of Smith batting.
One of the reasons why this card is so popular is that it was produced during Smith’s second year in the league. By this time, Smith had already established himself as one of the best defensive players in the game.
In 1980, Smith won his first Gold Glove award, which added to his growing reputation as a defensive powerhouse.
3. 1979 Hostess #102 Ozzie Smith Baseball Cards
The 1979 Hostess Ozzie Smith baseball card is a unique and highly collectible card. Hostess produced a series of baseball cards starting in 1975. These cards were only available in Hostess snack cakes, making them a rare find.
The 1979 set featured only 150 cards, and Ozzie Smith’s card was included in the set as card number 102.
One of the reasons why this card is so popular is that it’s part of a limited edition set. The fact that it was only available in Hostess snack cakes makes it rare and valuable.
MORE INFO ON OZZIE SMITH: Ozzie Smith played in Major League Baseball for 19 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Smith’s career began in 1978 when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres. After four seasons with the Padres, Smith was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982, where he would spend the majority of his career.
Smith was known for his incredible defensive skills at shortstop, winning an incredible 13 Gold Glove Awards during his career. Smith wasn’t so shabby at the plate either, finishing his career with a .262 batting average, 2,460 hits, and 580 stolen bases.
Smith retired from baseball in 1996, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. His number 1 jersey was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996, and he was named to the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.
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