One way or another, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith will probably always have his hand in baseball.
After a 19-year career as a Gold Glove shortstop for the Padres and St. Louis Cardinals, Smith, 54, is in his third stint as honorary chairman for the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic. “This is a great way to stay close to the game,” Smith said. The players recognize and respect Smith’s role in the charity event. “If you don’t know of him, there is something wrong with you,” said DeAndre Smelter, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander out of Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Ga., who will pitch for the East. “He is a great player supporting a great cause.” Proceeds from the game, which will be played at 5 p.m. today at Petco Park, will benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. “Knowing that someone as great as Ozzie is involved proves that this event is worthy of national television coverage,” said West pitcher Jameson Taillon (6-7, 230), a right-hander out of The Woodlands, Texas. “We are only high school seniors, but he is legendary. It is so cool that he is willing to dedicate his time to help advise us.”
Aflac officials have a history of calling upon national baseball figures to help promote their event.