When the Ozzie Smith was traded from the San Diego Padres to the St. Louis Cardinals in December of 1981, it quietly changed the course of baseball history. Smith was already known as a defensive wizard at shortstop, but in St. Louis he became the heart of the Cardinals’ speed-and-defense style of play. His acrobatic fielding, leadership, and flair quickly made him a fan favorite and helped power the Cardinals to a championship in the 1982 World Series. What seemed like a simple trade at the time turned into one of the most impactful deals the franchise ever made.
