Smith’s defense throws open the doors to Hall of Fame

Ozzie Smith set the standard for defense at shortstop. It was a standard that set a new precedent in Cooperstown.

On Jan. 8, 2002, Smith was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. Smith was named on 91.7 percent of the 472 ballots cast – a level of support never before seen by a player whose game was defined by his glovework.

“Going in on the first ballot means there was no doubt about being a Hall of Famer,” Smith told Gannett News Service. “It’s very special.”

Smith became just the 37th player elected in his first year of BBWAA eligibility, including the first five of Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner in 1936. Some veteran Hall of Fame observers questioned whether a player with a .262 career batting average would receive the required 75 percent of the vote to earn election, but those analysts missed the point.

Though it would not be invented for another decade, the Defensive Wins Above Replacement figure confirms what those who saw Smith play already knew: He was the greatest fielder the game has ever seen.

Smith’s career dWAR of 44.2 ranks first on the all-time list and more than four full points ahead of the runner-up, longtime Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger.

“Was (Smith) the best?” former Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog rhetorically asked. “He made more diving plays than I’ve ever seen. I don’t see how it was possible to play it any better than Ozzie played it.”

At the time of Smith’s induction, only 18 players had received a higher percentage of the vote in a BBWAA Hall of Fame election. At that time, he held the career record for assists by a shortstop with 8,375 (still the record) and double plays with 1,590 (now second on the all-time list). His 621 assists in 1980 remain the all-time single-season record.

But as Smith’s career progressed, so did his prowess at the plate. By 1987, Smith was a .300 hitter (with a .303 batting average) and he continued to be one of the most efficient base stealers in the game. When he finished his 19-year career, Smith had totaled 2,460 hits, 402 doubles and 580 stolen bases.

"This is an offensive game," Smith told Gannett News Service. “It’s very tough for a guy to have as much of an impact to warrant going to the Hall on defense.”

It was on defense, however, where Smith was – and remains – legendary, with his sprawling stops and lightning-quick throws still replayed on highlight reels throughout the internet.

Thirteen Gold Glove Awards and 15 All-Star Game selections tell the tale as well.

“I think everyone realizes the importance of defense,” Smith told Gannett News Service. “The one thing people enjoy seeing is that ball flying out of the ballpark. Most of the teams that win championships, though, are pretty good defensive clubs.”

Craig Muder is the director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum