Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1979 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Ozzie Smith
Position/Team: Shortstop for Padres
Card #: 116
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Osborne Earl “Ozzie” Smith, famously known as “The Wizard of Oz” or simply “The Wizard,” redefined the shortstop position in Major League Baseball with his unparalleled defensive wizardry and acrobatic flair.
From his very first season, Smith demonstrated incredible range and a rocket arm that allowed him to make plays deep in the “hole” at shortstop. He earned his first of an astounding 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 1980, setting a new standard for defensive excellence at the position.
In a trade that would become legendary, the Padres traded Smith to the St. Louis Cardinals for Garry Templeton before the 1982 season. This move proved transformative for both Smith and the Cardinals. In St. Louis, his defensive brilliance truly became a national phenomenon. His pre-game backflips at Busch Stadium became a beloved ritual, symbolizing the magic he brought to the field. In his first season with the Cardinals, he helped lead them to a World Series championship, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers. In 1985, he famously hit a walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS (a rare feat for him, as he finished his career with only 28 home runs), earning him the NLCS MVP Award.
In 1987, he had his best offensive season, batting a career-high .303 and winning the National League Silver Slugger Award for shortstops. He also finished second in the NL MVP voting that year. Smith was a 15-time All-Star, a testament to his consistent elite play. He retired holding numerous defensive records for shortstops.
Ozzie Smith was an undeniable first-ballot inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002, receiving 91.7% of the vote. His induction solidified his place as the greatest defensive shortstop of all time. His number 1 is retired by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ozzie Smith fundamentally changed how the shortstop position was viewed. He proved that defense alone could be a primary and electrifying asset, driving fan attendance and winning games. His acrobatic plays were not just for show; they consistently saved runs and provided an undeniable psychological boost to his pitchers and teammates.
Ozzie Smith’s most recognized and highly sought-after rookie card is this 1979 Topps #116. The 1979 Topps set features a relatively simple design with white borders and a team logo in the bottom corner. The card shows a classic posed image of a young Ozzie Smith in his San Diego Padres uniform. As the rookie card of a first-ballot Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest defensive player in baseball history, the 1979 Topps Ozzie Smith is a cornerstone of the modern vintage card collecting era.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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