The Wizard of Oz Traded

On this date in 1982, the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres completed the final paperwork on a trade that would redefine the franchise.

To settle the “player to be named later” portion of the December 10, 1981 deal:

San Diego sent Al Olmsted to St. Louis.
St. Louis sent Luis DeLeon to San Diego.
Neither name would leave a lasting mark on the major league roster.

But February 19 was the formal closing of the transaction that brought Ozzie Smith to St. Louis and sent Garry Templeton west to the San Diego Padres.

At the time, it was far from a universally celebrated move.

Templeton was a two-time All-Star and one of the National League’s most talented shortstops. He could hit. He could run. He was still only 25 years old. But friction with manager Whitey Herzog had become public and undeniable. The Cardinals were shifting direction.

Herzog envisioned a different club — one built on speed, pitching, and defense. Busch Stadium’s turf rewarded range and punished mistakes. Run prevention was not a talking point. It was the blueprint.

Smith arrived with a sterling defensive reputation and a light bat. Many questioned whether glove alone justified the cost.

History answered quickly.

In 1982, the Cardinals won the World Series. Over the next six seasons, they captured three National League pennants. Smith won 11 consecutive Gold Gloves in St. Louis and ultimately entered the Hall of Fame in 2002. More than that, he became the defensive standard by which the position was measured.

The trade did more than exchange shortstops.

It clarified an identity.

February 19, 1982, will never be remembered for headlines. There were no parades. No ceremonies. Just final names entered on a ledger.

But sometimes baseball history is sealed not by spectacle —
but by a signature.

Research Sources - HistoryofCardinals.com