As one of the most talked-about figures, Ozzie Smith has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What Is Ozzie Smith's Net Worth?

Smith was involved in major disputes with the owners of the Padres during his final years with the team. At the same time, the St. Louis Cardinals were struggling with their shortstop, Garry Templeton. This resulted in Ozzie and a few other players being traded to the Cardinals for Templeton and others. Smith's first season with the team was an instant success, leading to a postseason in which the Cardinals swept the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS en route to a World Series appearance against the Milwaukee Brewers. Playing the full seven games of the tournament, the Cardinals ultimately claimed the World Series title. The subsequent two seasons were not as fruitful for the team. Ozzie and the Cardinals did better in 1985, making it to the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the series, Smith hit his first-ever home run, giving the Cardinals the win. Moving on to the World Series, the Cardinals fell to the Kansas City Royals in seven games.

St. Louis Cardinals in the '80s

Having torn his rotator cuff prior to the 1986 season, Ozzie declined surgery to instead build back his arm strength through weightlifting. He subsequently had a solid season, with a particular highlight being his near-collision with left fielder Curt Ford during his catch of a fly ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies pinch-hitter Von Hayes. Smith next had one of his best seasons in 1987, posting a .303 batting average and 104 runs scored. For his season, he won his first and only Silver Slugger Award. Moreover, the Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants in the NLCS. In the World Series, the team fell to the Minnesota Twins. The Cardinals failed to make the postseason for the remaining two years of the decade; however, Ozzie continued to win Gold Gloves and make All-Star appearances.

In the 1977 MLB draft, Smith was chosen in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres. For his first season, he played in the minors for the Northwest League's Class A Walla Walla Padres. Ozzie eventually made his MLB debut in April 1978. During the season, he introduced what would become his signature move, a backflip. He finished the season with a .970 fielding percentage and a .258 batting average. Smith had a less successful season in 1979, posting a .211 batting average. He bounced back in a big way in 1980, setting a single-season record for most assists made by a shortstop, with 621. Moreover, Ozzie won his first of 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

Salary and Career Earnings

Ozzie Smith is an American retired professional baseball player who has a net worth of $16 million. Ozzie Smith played in the MLB for the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals. Among his achievements, he won the National League Gold Glove Award for 13 consecutive seasons from 1980 to 1992. Additionally, with the Cardinals, Smith won the World Series in 1982 and the Silver Slugger Award in 1987.

Ozzie Smith was born on December 26, 1954, in Mobile, Alabama. He is the second of six children of Marvella and Clovi. In the early '60s, the family moved to the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. There, Smith's father became a delivery truck driver, and his mother worked at a nursing home. Meanwhile, Ozzie played several sports and spent much of his time at the local YMCA. When he was in junior high school, his parents got divorced. Smith went on to attend Locke High School, where he played both baseball and basketball. For his higher education, he went to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. When the school's shortstop broke his leg halfway through the 1974 season, Ozzie took over. He subsequently set school records for at-bats, with 754, and stolen bases, with 110. Smith graduated from Cal Poly in 1977.

After being drafted in 1977 by the Padres, Ozzie signed a $72,500 contract. He went on to earn $31 million in salary during his career. After adjusting for inflation, that's the same as earning around $60 million in today's money.

In 1987, Ozzie's $1.94 million salary made him thehighest-paid player in the league. After adjusting for inflation, that was the same as earning a little under $5 million today.

In summary, the total wealth of Ozzie Smith reflects strategic moves.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.