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The late addition of slick fielding shortstop Ozzie Smith to the Hall of Fame line-up for its second annual Hall of Fame Classic this Sunday should add some pizzazz to this year’s game.
Smith, a 2002 Hall of Fame inductee, was nicknamed ``The Wizard’’ for his legendary fielding exploits. He set the tone early in his career in San Diego when he made one of the best fielding plays in history, ranging far to his left to field a sharply struck line drive, which hit the dirt and bounced hard to his right. Smith fielded the ball with his bare hand and threw the runner out at first.
He earned a record 13 straight Gold Glove Awards, and also developed into a tough out at the plate, finishing with 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases.
But as much as Smith was one of the game’s best showman during his career, he has turned into one of its best spokesman since retiring. He is currently the Hall’s Education Ambassador, and routinely speaks with students about the importance of education.
This summer, he will participate in the ninth annual ``Play Ball’’ event at Doubleday Field on the Friday prior to this year’s Induction Ceremony on July 25. The event raises money for the Hall’s education department.
``Play Ball is all about giving back,’’ Smith said in a conference call on Monday. ``It’s an interactive event and it’s all about the people.’’
Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson said Smith can ``still pick it’’ and has been one of the Hall’s best ambassadors since his Induction in 2002.
Smith is just one of seven Hall of Famers scheduled to play Sunday along with 20 former major leaguers, including Jeff Kent, a likely future Hall of Famer.
Smith is still in great playing shape as is third baseman Mike Schmidt, who will also participate. The others include Gary Carter, Harmon Killebrew, and pitchers Phil Niekro, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers and Rich ``Goose’’ Gossage.
The Hall is to be commended for putting together not only a great line-up of former players, but also an entire weekend of events around the game.
