Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ozzie Smith’s Net Worth?
Ozzie Smith, the celebrated retired professional baseball player, has accumulated a net worth of $16 million. This substantial sum is a result of his successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals, combined with post-retirement ventures and investments.
Ozzie Smith’s Baseball Career Earnings and Contract Details
Ozzie Smith’s journey to becoming a baseball legend began when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1977. He signed his first contract for $72,500. Throughout his MLB career, Ozzie Smith earned a total of $31 million in salary. Adjusting for inflation, this is equivalent to approximately $60 million in today’s money. In 1987, Ozzie Smith’s annual salary of $1.94 million made him the highest-paid player in the league, which would be equivalent to nearly $5 million today after inflation adjustment.
Early Life and Education of Ozzie Smith
Born on December 26, 1954, in Mobile, Alabama, Ozzie Smith was the second of six children of Marvella and Clovi Smith. His family moved to the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, in the early 1960s. His father worked as a delivery truck driver, and his mother worked at a nursing home. Ozzie Smith spent much of his time at the local YMCA, participating in various sports. He attended Locke High School, where he played baseball and basketball. For higher education, he attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. When the school’s shortstop suffered an injury halfway through the 1974 season, Ozzie Smith stepped in and set school records for at-bats (754) and stolen bases (110). He graduated from Cal Poly in 1977.
Ozzie Smith’s Career with the San Diego Padres
Ozzie Smith’s professional career began in 1977 when he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round. He spent his first season in the minor leagues with the Class A Walla Walla Padres of the Northwest League. His MLB debut occurred in April 1978. It was during this season that Ozzie Smith introduced his signature backflip. He finished the season with a .970 fielding percentage and a .258 batting average. In 1979, his batting average dipped to .211, but he rebounded in 1980, setting a single-season record for most assists made by a shortstop, with 621. That same year, Ozzie Smith won the first of his 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.
Ozzie Smith’s Time with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1980s
Ozzie Smith’s tenure with the San Diego Padres ended amidst disputes with the team’s owners. Simultaneously, the St. Louis Cardinals were facing challenges with their shortstop, Garry Templeton. This led to a trade that sent Ozzie Smith and other players to the Cardinals in exchange for Templeton and others. Ozzie Smith’s first season with the Cardinals was highly successful, leading to a postseason appearance where the Cardinals swept the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS and reached the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals won the World Series in seven games. In 1985, the Cardinals made it to the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During this series, Ozzie Smith hit his first career home run, securing a win for the Cardinals. They then faced the Kansas City Royals in the World Series but lost in seven games. In 1986, Ozzie Smith chose to strengthen his arm through weightlifting rather than undergo surgery for a torn rotator cuff. In 1987, Ozzie Smith had one of his best seasons, achieving a .303 batting average and scoring 104 runs. He was awarded his first and only Silver Slugger Award. The Cardinals defeated the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. The team lost to the Minnesota Twins in the World Series.
Ozzie Smith’s St. Louis Cardinals Career in the 1990s
During the early 1990s, while the Cardinals did not make the postseason, Ozzie Smith achieved milestones. In 1992, he stole his 500th career base, recorded his 2,000th career hit, and won his 13th consecutive Gold Glove Award, a record. Injuries and conflicts with the Cardinals’ new manager, Tony La Russa, marked Ozzie Smith’s later seasons. In 1996, Ozzie Smith announced his retirement from MLB at the end of the season. The Cardinals had a successful year, winning the National League Central Division and sweeping the Padres in the NLDS, but they lost to the Braves in the NLCS.
Post-MLB Career Ventures of Ozzie Smith
After retiring from MLB, Ozzie Smith succeeded Mel Allen as the host of the television series “This Week in Baseball.” He also became a color commentator for local KPLR-TV broadcasts of Cardinals games. In 1999, Ozzie Smith joined CNN/Sports Illustrated. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2002. Ozzie Smith was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum in 2014 as part of the inaugural class.
Ozzie Smith’s Entrepreneurial Activities
In addition to baseball, Ozzie Smith has been involved in entrepreneurial ventures. In 1988, he opened a restaurant and sports bar. In 1990, he established a youth sports academy. In the early 2000s, he partnered with David Slay to open another restaurant. He also has his line of salad dressing. Ozzie Smith has opened regenerative medicine clinics throughout Missouri.
Personal Life of Ozzie Smith
While playing at the Astrodome in Houston in the late 1970s, Ozzie Smith met an usherette named Denise. They married and had three children: Nikko, Dustin, and Taryn. They divorced in 1996. In 2005, Nikko competed on the fourth season of the reality television competition series “American Idol.” In 2012, Ozzie Smith sold all 13 of his Gold Gloves at auction for over $500,000.
