New York — Ozzie Smith finds out today whether he will backflip into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
The Wizard of Oz, a 15-time All-Star who set the example of how shortstop should be played, heads the list of candidates for induction to the Hall next summer.
Gary Carter, Jim Rice, Bruce Sutter and Rich Gossage top the holdovers from last year, when Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield were elected on the first try.
To be elected, players must be listed on at least 75 percent of the ballots of 10-year members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Just 36 players have been elected in their first year of eligibility. There are 251 people in the Hall, overall.
Smith, 47, has worked in TV since retiring at the end of the 1996 NL playoffs. He spent 19 seasons in the major leagues, breaking in with San Diego in 1978. Smith played four years with the Padres, then finished with 15 years in St. Louis.
Smith won 13 NL Gold Gloves all in a row from 1980-92 set shortstop records for most assists (8,375) and double plays (1,590). The Cardinals retired No. 1 in his honor. Smith batted just .262 in his career with 2,460 hits, 28 homers and 793 RBIs.
Smith headed 11 first-time candidates, a group that also included pitchers Mike Henneman, Jeff Russell, Scott Sanderson and Frank Viola; infielders Alan Trammell, Robby Thompson and Tim Wallach; and outfielders Andre Dawson, Lenny Dykstra and Mike Greenwell.
The others on the ballot were Bert Blyleven, Dave Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Ron Guidry, Keith Hernandez, Tommy John, Jim Kaat, Don Mattingly, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Dave Stewart and Luis Tiant.
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