JUPITER, Fla. — He makes folks go crazy. Grown men jostling for position to take a selfie with him. Kids born well after he retired running frantically to him for an autograph. He’s Ozzie Smith, after all, a living legend whose arrival at spring training Saturday was something like a red revival.
His presence is a present. It reminds fans of the glory days of Busch and backflips. And it reminds the current Cardinals, coming off an off year, of the standard set by those who came before them.
During and after workouts Saturday, players and coaches alike picked Ozzie’s brain like he picked grounders. He met some of the new guys and hugged some of the old guys, notably instructor Jose Oquendo and coach Willie McGee. And the Hall of Fame shortstop Smith, 69, continued his meaningful mentorship of rookie Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn, 21.
“He makes me want to carry that torch,†Winn said, “and perform the best that I can.â€
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The Ozzie-Masyn storyline is one of the cooler ones at Cardinals camp. And it’s an important one, too. Because Winn’s coaches can preach fundamentals and teach analytics, but there is an incalculable and invaluable benefit to having the greatest defensive shortstop of all time at the disposal of the Cardinals No. 1 prospect, who happens to play that position.
“What a luxury, man,†Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said. “We’re talking about Ozzie — and you get to sit down on a bench and ask him whatever you want and he’s super honest. You get to talk ball and turning double plays and footwork. Just to have that type of access for any player, but specifically for Masyn Winn, that’s a good one to draw from right there. ... I love having him around, I really do.â€
As for 2024, Winn must perform better (much better) than he did in his 37 games with St. Louis last season (.172 batting average, .467 OPS). They’re counting on the kid. And if he falters, then it’ll have a negative ripple effect on the roster. Center fielder Tommy Edman likely would have to move to shortstop. But then who starts in center? Left fielder Lars Nootbaar? Bench player Dylan Carlson? Minor leaguer Victor Scott II?
But with Winn, of course, there’s so much to like about the prospect’s prospects. The one-time pitcher can throw a ball 100 mph from shortstop to first base. He can steal singles with his glove and a bunch of bases with his legs. And in his past two minor-league seasons, he posted OPSs of .832 and .834.
In a conversation Saturday with the Post-Dispatch, “The Wizard†gushed about Winn.
“When you look at young players, the first thing you want to know is — what is the work ethic?†asked Smith, who plans on going to dinner with Winn and others in the organization. “Because they all have talent. So the thing that’s going to separate them from the rest of the guys is how hard they’re willing to work. Whether or not they’re willing to put forth the blood, sweat and tears that it takes to make it to the top tier in this sport. I think Masyn has that.
“Now it’s just a matter of allowing them to play and develop. They’re going to make mistakes. That’s all part of it. It’s not so much the mistake, but it’s how you handle it. Do you learn from it to not make that mistake tomorrow?â€
Even though Winn was born in 2002 (can you believe there’s a Cardinal born in 2002?), he has been an Ozzie fan since childhood. Winn’s stepdad, Earl Luckett, coached Winn’s youth team — he would have the kids give reports about famous Black players in baseball history.
“Cool Papa Bell, Hank Aaron, Ozzie Smith …. I know about those guys from growing up,†said Winn, who wore No. 1 as a youth player in honor of Ozzie. “And my stepdad was a huge Ozzie fan — everything about him was just electric. And watching (highlights) growing up, especially him being African-American, is super-huge for me. … My stepdad raised me right, raised me to be as proud as I can be about being a Black baseball player. So it’s awesome, it’s been a lot of fun.â€
At Cardinals camp Saturday, the 13-time Gold Glove winner Smith wore gray baseball pants, a red Cardinals top and, of course, a red ballcap. He made a point of interacting with each player whose hand he shook. He was continually grinning and often guffawing. He spent some quiet time alone, watching hitters take live batting practice. And he spent some time chatting with fervent fans.
Saturday was Jeff Norris’ birthday. He turned 48. Talking to Ozzie, he was 9.
“Baseball started for me in 1985,†Norris said of the year Smith hit his famed walk-off homer in the playoffs. “I still remember, I was in my room, I had Jack Buck on the radio saying, ‘Go crazy, folks!’ I then went to soccer practice — and that was before internet — so I got to tell my buddies, ‘Did you hear what Ozzie Smith did?’â€
Norris was awestruck while striking up a conversation with Smith.
He wasn’t the only one.
“I mean, I still get nervous just saying ‘hi’ to him,†Winn said.