Ozzie Smith Plaza Dedicated in 2003 “ Thank you for following me down my yellow brick road. Ozzie Smith ” stands in front of bronze statue at the Ozzie Smith Plaza dedication ceremony held June 13, 2003 between Baggett Stadium and Bob Janssen Field. Photos by Ron Bez n Friday, June 13, 2003, Ozzie Smith Plaza was officially dedicated McCutcheon said at the dedication ceremony. in honor of the greatest shortstop in the history of baseball. At Cal Poly, Smith broke a number of school records, including career at- Known as “The Wizard” for revolutionizing defensive play at bats (754), career stolen bases (110) and stolen bases in a season (44, twice). A O shortstop while fielding for the San Diego Padres (1978-81) and the four-year starter at shortstop and a three-time all-conference selection, Ozzie St. Louis Cardinals (1982-96), Osborne Earl “Ozzie” Smith, a Cal Poly became a charter member of the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987. alumnus, was the sole inductee in 2002 to the Baseball Hall of Fame in The day after the dedication, Smith delivered keynote addresses in morning Cooperstown, N.Y. and afternoon commencement ceremonies. He was awarded the honorary A three-quarter-life-size bronze statue of Smith was unveiled in Ozzie degree of Doctor of Humane Letters -- Smith Plaza, located between Baggett Stadium and Bob Janssen Field on the then just the 10th time an honorary Cal Poly campus. doctorate has been granted by Cal Poly The statue was created by noted scupltor Harry Weber, who has also sculpt- since the university’s founding in 1901. ed statues of the other St. Louis Cardinal players named to the Baseball Hall “Ozzie is a distinguished alumnus of Fame. A scholarship endowment for Cal Poly baseball has been created to whose life, career and community serv- honor Smith, with a limited number of statue miniatures made available for ice exemplify the Cal Poly tradition of donors. excellence,” said then-President “The Ozzie Smith Plaza and the statue are in recognition of Ozzie’s many Warren J. Baker. “He stands as a shin- contributions to his sport and for being an outstanding role model for young ing example of the university’s aspira- athletes and the country’s youth,” then-Cal Poly Director of Athletics John tions for its diverse student body, as well as its learn-by-doing educational philosophy.” Widely known for his work with young people, Smith also exerted his magic on the field, winning 13 Gold Glove awards and setting six Major Ozzie Smith with Jeannie League fielding records among short- Harr, wife of former Mustang stops, including most assists, double head coach Berdy Harr. plays and chances accepted. He was also a successful offensive player, accumulating 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases, and was named to 15 All-Star teams in 19 Major League seasons. His elegant glove work helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to three World Series, including a 1982 championship. His congenial personality, consummate professionalism and trademark backflip made him a fan favorite. At the plaza dedication, Smith spoke to a crowd of some 500 faculty mem- bers, students, staff and Central Coast baseball fans, calling his career and return to Cal Poly a dream come true. “Thank you for following me down my yellow brick road,” he told the cheering fans, before signing autographs for them -- including a crowd of chil- Warren J. Baker presents miniature statue to Ozzie Smith. dren -- for nearly an hour. 1 Quick Facts Location . .San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0388 2021 Baseball Schedule Founded / Enrollment . .1901 / 22,287 (Fall 2020) Date Team Time President . .Dr. Jeffrey Armstrong (Murray State ‘81) Feb. 6 Alumni Game . .Canceled Director of Athletics . .Don Oberhelman (Kansas State ‘93) Feb. 19 NEVADA . .6 p.m. Deputy Director of Athletics . .Dr. Nick Pettit (Michigan State ‘98) Feb. 20 NEVADA . .6 p.m. Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance / Senior Woman Administrator . .Keri Mendoza (Kentucky ‘03) Feb. 21 NEVADA . .1 p.m. Faculty Athletics Representative . .Tom Mase (Michigan State ‘80) Athletic Department Phone . .(805) 756-2924 Feb. 22 NEVADA . .3 p.m. Nickname / Colors . .Mustangs / Forest Green (Pantone 3308), Gold (Pantone 7402) Feb. 26 at USC . .6 p.m. Affiliations . .NCAA Division I / Big West Conference Feb. 27 at USC . .2 p.m. Ticket Office . .(805) 756-4TIX / (866) GoStangs Feb. 28 at USC . .1 p.m. Cal Poly Radio Affiliate . .ESPN (1280 AM) March 5 UTAH VALLEY . .6 p.m. March 6 UTAH VALLEY . .6 p.m. Baggett Stadium March 7 UTAH VALLEY . .1 p.m. Date Opened . .Jan. 21, 2001 (Cal Poly 6, Stanford 5; 12 innings) March 12 UCLA . .6 p.m. Capacity . .3,138 (768 permanent seats, 2,370 permanent bleacher seats) March 13 UCLA . .6 p.m. Dimensions . .335 (L & R foul poles), 385 (alleys), 405 (center) March 14 UCLA . .1 p.m. Press Box Phone . .(805) 756-7456 March 20 *at CSUN . .1 p.m. March 21 *at CSUN (Game 1) . .11 a.m. Coaching Staff March 21 *at CSUN (Game 2) . .2:30 p.m. Head Coach / Alma Mater . .Larry Lee / Pepperdine ‘83 Record at Cal Poly / Years . .546-430-2 (.559) / 19th Year March 22 *at CSUN . .2 p.m. Career (NCAA) Record / Years . .5446-430-2 (.559) / 19th Year March 26 *UC SAN DIEGO . .3 p.m. Career (Overall) Record / Years . .1,006-671-5 (.600) / 35th Year March 27 *UC SAN DIEGO (Game 1) . .12 noon Office Phone . .(805) 756-6367 March 27 *UC SAN DIEGO (Game 2) . .3:30 p.m. Lee’s E-Mail . [email protected] March 28 *UC SAN DIEGO . .1 p.m. Assistant Coaches . .Teddy Warrecker (11th Year) / Cal State Northridge ‘02 April 1 SAN JOSE STATE . .6 p.m. Jake Silverman (Second Year) / Cal State Fullerton ‘09 April 2 SAN JOSE STATE . .6 p.m. Justin Bridgman (First Year) / Nevada ‘17 April 3 SAN JOSE STATE . .1 p.m. Student Manager (Head) . .Maddie Grossman (Second Year) / Cal Poly ‘22 April 9 *at Long Beach State . .3 p.m. April 10 *at Long Beach State (Game 1) . .11 a.m. Team Information April 10 *at Long Beach State (Game 2) . .2:30 p.m. 2020 Overall Record . .5-11 (.313) April 11 *at Long Beach State . .1 p.m. 2020 Big West Record / Finish . .N/A 2020 Postseason . .N/A April 16 *UC IRVINE . .3 p.m. Letterwinners Returning / Lost . .19 / 10 April 17 *UC IRVINE (Game 1) . .12 noon Position Starters Returning / Lost . .7 / 5 April 17 *UC IRVINE (Game 2) . .3:30 p.m. Pitchers Returning / Lost . .10 / 2 April 18 *UC IRVINE . .1 p.m. Newcomers / Returning Redshirts or Injured or Non-Players . .15 / 1 April 23 *UC RIVERSIDE . .3 p.m. April 24 *UC RIVERSIDE (Game 1) . .12 noon Athletic Media Relations Information April 24 *UC RIVERSIDE (Game 2) . .3:30 p.m. Director, Athletics Communications (Baseball Contact) . .Eric Burdick April 25 *UC RIVERSIDE . .1 p.m. Assistant Director, Athletics Communications . .Chris Giovannetti, Donovan Aird, Connor Leary April 30 *at UC Santa Barbara . .3 p.m. Burdick’s Office Phone / Cell Phone / Fax . ..