No._NN1 93_CRD Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 
Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 greatest_AJS defensive_AJ0 player_NN1 I_PNP ever_AV0 saw_VVD ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ not_XX0 to_TO0 downplay_VVI the_AT0 sheer_AJ0 awesomeness_NN1 of_PRF Andrelton_NP0 Simmons_NP0 ,_PUN Andruw_NP0 Jones_NP0 ,_PUN Adri_AJ0 ¨_NN0 ¢n_NN0 Beltr_NP0 ¨_NN0 ¦_NN0 ,_PUN or_CJC Nolan_NP0 Arenado_NP0 ,_PUN among_PRP many_DT0 others_NN2 defensive_AJ0 maestros_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ just_AV0 that_CJT ,_PUN to_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN the_AT0 Wizard_NN1 invented_VVD a_AT0 whole_AJ0 new_AJ0 way_NN1 to_TO0 play_VVI defense_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP made_VVD jaw-dropping_AJ0 plays_NN2 so_AV0 often_AV0 that_CJT you_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 take_VVI your_DPS eyes_NN2 off_PRP him_PNP ._SENT 
He_PNP was_VBD so_AV0 good_AJ0 that_CJT when_CJS watching_VVG a_AT0 Cardinals_NN2 game_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP would_VM0 turn_VVI the_AT0 channel_NN1 when_CJS they_PNP were_VBD on_PRP offense_NN1 
There_EX0 are_VBB numbers_NN2 that_CJT show_VVB his_DPS defensive_AJ0 radiance_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP 1980_CRD ,_PUN while_CJS playing_VVG for_PRP San_NP0 Diego_NP0 ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD 621_CRD assists_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 record_NN1 that_CJT will_VM0 likely_AV0 never_AV0 be_VBI broken_VVN ._SENT Why_AVQ will_VM0 it_PNP never_AV0 be_VBI broken_VVN ?_SENT Because_CJS many_DT0 more_DT0 balls_NN2 were_VBD put_VVN in_PRP play_NN1 in_PRP 1980_CRD ;_PUN now_AV0 ,_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 strikeout_NN1 ,_PUN shortstops_NN2 rarely_AV0 get_VVB even_AV0 500_CRD assists_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP 2019_CRD ,_PUN Oakland_NP0 's_POS Marcus_NP0 Semien_NP0 had_VHD the_AT0 most_DT0 shortstop_NN1 assists_VVZ in_PRP baseball_NN1 with_PRP 436¡ª185_CRD shy_NN1 of_PRF Ozzie_NP0 ,_PUN more_AV0 than_CJS one_CRD per_PRP game_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC the_AT0 wonder_NN1 only_AV0 begins_VVZ with_PRP his_DPS 1980_CRD record_NN1 season_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP 1981_CRD ,_PUN the_AT0 strike_NN1 season_NN1 ,_PUN Ozzie_NP0 actually_AV0 had_VHD a_AT0 higher_AJC range_NN1 factor_NN1 than_CJS he_PNP did_VDD in_PRP 1980._CRD If_CJS not_XX0 for_PRP the_AT0 strike_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI broken_VVN his_DPS own_DT0 record_NN1 ._SENT 
Then_AV0 he_PNP was_VBD traded_VVN to_PRP St._NP0 Louis_NP0 ._SENT And_CJC in_PRP 1982_CRD ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD an_AT0 even_AV0 higher_AJC range_NN1 factor_NN1 than_CJS he_PNP 'd_VHD had_VHN in_PRP either_AV0 1980_CRD or_CJC 1981._CRD This_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 shortstop_NN1 playing_VVG at_PRP a_AT0 different_AJ0 level_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP led_VVD the_AT0 league_NN1 in_PRP assists_VVZ eight_CRD times_NN2 and_CJC finished_AJ0 second_NN1 another_DT0 four_CRD times_NN2 ._SENT By_PRP Baseball_NN1 Reference_NN1 's_POS defensive_AJ0 WAR_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS fielding_NN1 was_VBD worth_PRP an_AT0 astonishing_AJ0 44_CRD Wins_NN2 Above_PRP Replacement_NN1 ._SENT Nobody_PNI is_VBZ close_AJ0 ._SENT 
Defensive_AJ0 WAR_NN1 
Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 ,_PUN 44.2_CRD 
Mark_NP0 Belanger_NP0 ,_PUN 39.5_CRD 
Brooks_NP0 Robinson_NP0 ,_PUN 39.1_CRD 
Cal_NP0 Ripken_NP0 ,_PUN 35.7_CRD 
Joe_NP0 Tinker_NP0 ,_PUN 34.3_CRD 
There_EX0 are_VBB two_CRD Ozzie_NN1 stories_NN2 I_PNP want_VVB to_TO0 tell_VVI here_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 first_ORD comes_VVZ from_PRP September_NP0 23_CRD ,_PUN 1996_CRD ,_PUN less_AV0 than_CJS a_AT0 week_NN1 before_CJS he_PNP played_VVD his_DPS last_ORD big-league_AJ0 game_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 29-year-old_AJ0 columnist_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 Cincinnati_NP0 Post_NN1 ,_PUN an_AT0 afternoon_NN1 newspaper_NN1 back_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 days_NN2 when_AVQ such_DT0 things_NN2 still_AV0 existed_VVN ._SENT It_PNP goes_VVZ without_PRP saying_VVG that_CJT the_AT0 Postno_NN1 longer_AV0 exists_VVZ ._SENT 
My_DPS job_NN1 that_CJT day_NN1 was_VBD to_TO0 try_VVI to_TO0 sum_VVI up_AVP Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 's_POS genius_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC someone_PNI said_VVD to_PRP me_PNP :_PUN "_PUQ Just_AV0 watch_VVB him_PNP take_VVI infield_NN1 practice_NN1 ._SENT You_PNP 'll_VM0 get_VVI all_DT0 you_PNP need_VVB just_AV0 from_PRP that_DT0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
So_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP watched_VVD ._SENT And_CJC this_DT0 is_VBZ what_DTQ I_PNP wrote_VVD :_PUN 
The_AT0 baseballs_NN2 roll_VVB slowly_AV0 at_PRP first_ORD ._SENT The_AT0 game_NN1 will_VM0 not_XX0 begin_VVI for_PRP a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF hours_NN2 still_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC all_DT0 around_PRP Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 ,_PUN baseballs_NN2 shoot_VVB out_AVP like_PRP fireworks_NN2 ._SENT People_NN0 hit_VVD them_PNP ,_PUN throw_VVB them_PNP ,_PUN bunt_VVB them_PNP ,_PUN chase_VVB them_PNP ,_PUN a_AT0 hundred_CRD baseballs_NN2 dance_VVB around_PRP the_AT0 diamond_NN1 ._SENT Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 focuses_VVZ on_PRP one_CRD ball_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 one_PNI that_CJT rolls_VVZ toward_PRP him_PNP ._SENT 
Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 is_VBZ getting_VVG ready_AJ0 to_TO0 perform_VVI even_AV0 though_CJS there_EX0 is_VBZ no_AT0 one_PNI in_PRP the_AT0 crowd_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Here_AV0 we_PNP go_VVB ,_PUN "_PUQ St._NP0 Louis_NP0 Cardinals_NN2 pitching_VVG coach_NN1 Dave_NP0 Duncan_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT 
Here_AV0 we_PNP go_VVB ._SENT In_PRP baseball_NN1 ,_PUN great_AJ0 players_NN2 come_VVB and_CJC go_VVB like_PRP favorite_AJ0 songs_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP show_VVB up_AVP for_PRP a_AT0 while_NN1 ,_PUN some_DT0 hit_VVD 400_CRD home_NN1 runs_NN2 or_CJC strike_VVB out_AVP 3_CRD ,_PUN 000_CRD batters_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC then_AV0 they_PNP fade_VVB into_PRP a_AT0 happy_AJ0 memory_NN1 ._SENT Folk_NN0 heroes_NN2 come_VVB along_AVP less_AV0 often_AV0 ._SENT Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 is_VBZ one_CRD of_PRF those_DT0 folk_NN0 heroes_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP grows_VVZ better_AV0 in_PRP memory_NN1 ._SENT 
His_DPS legend_NN1 has_VHZ little_AV0 to_TO0 do_VDI with_PRP his_DPS own_DT0 numbers_NN2 ;_PUN it_PNP comes_VVZ from_PRP numbers_NN2 that_CJT were_VBD not_XX0 recorded_VVN ._SENT Everybody_PNI in_PRP the_AT0 National_AJ0 League_NN1 would_VM0 have_VHI hit_VVN .300if_NN1 not_XX0 for_PRP Ozzie_NP0 ._SENT Everybody_PNI would_VM0 have_VHI broken_VVN Joe_NP0 DiMaggio_NP0 's_POS 56-game_NN1 hitting_VVG streak_NN1 if_CJS not_XX0 for_PRP Ozzie_NP0 ._SENT Think_VVB of_PRF a_AT0 play_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 are_VBB countless_AJ0 to_TO0 choose_VVI from_PRP ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD the_AT0 time_NN1 he_PNP dove_VVD one_CRD way_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 ball_NN1 skipped_VVD the_AT0 other_AJ0 way_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS he_PNP caught_VVD it_PNP barehanded_VVD and_CJC threw_VVD out_AVP the_AT0 runner_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD the_AT0 time_NN1 when_CJS he_PNP flipped_VVD the_AT0 ball_NN1 behind_PRP his_DPS back_NN1 to_TO0 start_VVI a_AT0 double_AJ0 play_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD the_AT0 time_NN1 he_PNP snared_VVD a_AT0 line_NN1 drive_NN1 15_CRD feet_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 right_NN1 of_PRF second_ORD base_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 there_EX0 's_VBZ the_AT0 time¡­_NN1 
The_AT0 guy_NN1 stole_VVD hits_NN2 from_PRP everybody_PNI ,_PUN including_PRP the_AT0 Beatles_NP0 ._SENT Late_AJ0 at_PRP night_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP dark_AJ0 bars_NN2 ,_PUN baseball_NN1 players_NN2 still_AV0 sit_VVB over_PRP empty_AJ0 beer_NN1 bottles_NN2 and_CJC tell_VVB sad_AJ0 stories_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 hits_NN2 Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 took_VVD away_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Here_AV0 we_PNP go_VVB ,_PUN "_PUQ the_AT0 Wizard_NN1 says_VVZ ._SENT 
He_PNP fields_NN2 a_AT0 grounder_NN1 and_CJC ,_PUN without_PRP looking_VVG ,_PUN throws_VVZ it_PNP to_PRP first_ORD base_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP does_VDZ it_PNP again_AV0 ._SENT Again_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 balls_NN2 begin_VVB to_TO0 come_VVI at_PRP him_PNP more_AV0 often_AV0 ,_PUN one_PNI every_AT0 10_CRD seconds_NN2 ,_PUN then_AV0 once_CJS every_AT0 five_CRD ,_PUN and_CJC each_DT0 time_NN1 the_AT0 baseballs_NN2 spin_VVB a_AT0 little_AV0 faster_AJC ,_PUN they_PNP skid_VVB and_CJC screech_VVB along_AVP the_AT0 turf_NN1 ,_PUN buzzing_VVG as_CJS they_PNP approach_VVB ._SENT He_PNP catches_VVZ each_DT0 one_PNI softly_AV0 ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS he_PNP 's_VBZ picking_VVG them_PNP with_PRP tweezers_NN2 ._SENT 
And_CJC each_DT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP makes_VVZ perfect_AJ0 throws_NN2 to_PRP first_ORD base_NN1 without_PRP even_AV0 looking_VVG up_AVP ._SENT It_PNP seems_VVZ utterly_AV0 impossible_AJ0 ._SENT He_PNP stares_VVZ down_AVP ,_PUN throws_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 to_PRP his_DPS left_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS if_CJS he_PNP 's_VBZ tossing_VVG away_AV0 a_AT0 whiskey_NN1 bottle_NN1 ._SENT Each_DT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 ball_NN1 plops_VVZ softly_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD baseman_NN1 's_POS glove_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ never_AV0 moves_VVZ ._SENT Smith_NP0 rushes_VVZ to_PRP his_DPS right_NN1 ,_PUN scoops_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 ,_PUN flings_VVZ it_PNP away_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP lands_VVZ in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD baseman_NN1 's_POS glove_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP bounds_VVZ to_PRP his_DPS left_NN1 ,_PUN plucks_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 out_AVP of_PRF the_AT0 air_NN1 ,_PUN flings_VVZ it_PNP away_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP lands_VVZ in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD baseman_NN1 's_POS glove_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Are_VBB you_PNP peeking_VVG ?_SENT "_PUQ Duncan_NP0 asks_VVZ ._SENT 
"_PUQ For_PRP 15_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ Smith_NP0 says_VVZ ._SENT 
The_AT0 coach_NN1 bounces_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 hard_AJ0 against_PRP the_AT0 turf_NN1 so_AV0 that_CJT it_PNP jumps_VVZ high_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 air_NN1 ._SENT Smith_NP0 waits_VVZ for_PRP it_PNP to_TO0 come_VVI down_AVP and_CJC catches_VVZ it_PNP on_PRP the_AT0 short_AJ0 hop_NN1 ._SENT Again_AV0 ._SENT Again_AV0 ._SENT It_PNP looks_VVZ like_PRP he_PNP 's_VBZ trying_VVG to_TO0 catch_VVI water_NN1 from_PRP a_AT0 geyser_NN1 ._SENT Smith_NP0 rushes_VVZ in_AVP ,_PUN twirls_VVZ his_DPS glove_NN1 in_PRP front_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS chest_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP a_AT0 man_NN1 waving_VVG away_AV0 mosquitoes_NN2 ._SENT Somehow_AV0 ,_PUN he_PNP catches_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP throws_VVZ it_PNP without_PRP looking_VVG and_CJC in_PRP one_CRD motion_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP lands_VVZ in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD baseman_NN1 's_POS glove_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 ball_NN1 bounces_VVZ higher_AJC ,_PUN higher_AJC ,_PUN it_PNP seems_VVZ to_TO0 leap_VVI angrily_AV0 off_PRP the_AT0 turf_NN1 ,_PUN attacking_VVG Smith_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Smith_NP0 continues_VVZ to_TO0 grab_VVI the_AT0 ball_NN1 with_PRP that_DT0 same_DT0 motion_NN1 ,_PUN then_AV0 comes_VVZ the_AT0 same_DT0 nonchalant_AJ0 throw_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 same_DT0 soft_AJ0 landing_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD baseman_NN1 's_POS glove_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Hit_VVB it_PNP up_AVP ,_PUN "_PUQ Smith_NP0 yells_VVZ at_PRP the_AT0 coach_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 coach_NN1 hits_VVZ pop-ups_NN2 behind_PRP Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP turns_VVZ his_DPS back_NN1 ,_PUN runs_VVZ to_PRP where_AVQ he_PNP figures_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 will_VM0 land_VVI ,_PUN and_CJC with_PRP his_DPS back_NN1 to_PRP home_NN1 plate_NN1 lets_VVZ the_AT0 ball_NN1 fall_NN1 into_PRP his_DPS glove_NN1 like_PRP an_AT0 NFL_NP0 receiver_NN1 ._SENT Another_DT0 pop-up_NN1 ._SENT Again_AV0 ,_PUN Smith_NP0 turns_VVZ his_DPS back_NN1 and_CJC catches_VVZ it_PNP over_PRP his_DPS head_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 coaches_NN2 turn_VVB to_TO0 watch_VVI him_PNP ._SENT A_AT0 few_DT0 players_NN2 turn_VVB ._SENT Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 ,_PUN 41_CRD years_NN2 old_AJ0 ,_PUN keeps_VVZ catching_VVG the_AT0 baseball_NN1 over_PRP his_DPS shoulder_NN1 ,_PUN blind_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP is_VBZ a_AT0 magic_AJ0 trick_NN1 ._SENT 
And_CJC then_AV0 ,_PUN all_DT0 at_PRP once_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 symphony_NN1 is_VBZ over_AVP ._SENT Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 has_VHZ performed_VVN enough_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP rushes_VVZ around_PRP the_AT0 field_NN1 to_TO0 pick_VVI up_AVP a_AT0 few_DT0 stray_AJ0 baseballs_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC even_AV0 that_CJT he_PNP does_VDZ with_PRP style_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP slaps_VVZ his_DPS glove_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 ground_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 ball_NN1 ends_VVZ up_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 pocket_NN1 ._SENT 
That_DT0 's_VBZ when_AVQ it_PNP happens_VVZ ._SENT Teammate_NN1 Gary_NP0 Gaetti_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 batting_NN1 cage_NN1 rips_VVZ a_AT0 line_NN1 drive_NN1 right_NN1 at_PRP Ozzie_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC there_EX0 's_VBZ no_AT0 way_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 Wizard_NN1 to_TO0 see_VVI it_PNP ._SENT His_DPS eyes_NN2 are_VBB looking_VVG somewhere_AV0 else_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 ball_NN1 comes_VVZ right_AV0 at_PRP his_DPS head_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC there_EX0 's_VBZ no_AT0 time_NN1 to_TO0 warn_VVI him_PNP ,_PUN no_AT0 time_NN1 for_PRP him_PNP to_TO0 see_VVI ,_PUN no_AT0 time_NN1 for_PRP anything_PNI at_PRP all_DT0 ._SENT Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 reaches_VVZ down_AVP to_TO0 pick_VVI up_AVP a_AT0 baseball_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 ,_PUN at_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD possible_AJ0 instant_NN1 ,_PUN without_PRP looking_VVG ,_PUN he_PNP raises_VVZ his_DPS arm_NN1 ,_PUN catches_VVZ the_AT0 line_NN1 drive_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC calmly_AV0 discards_VVZ the_AT0 baseball_NN1 with_PRP all_DT0 the_AT0 rest_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Eyes_NN2 everywhere_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ Duncan_NP0 says_VVZ ,_PUN and_CJC he_PNP shakes_VVZ his_DPS head_NN1 ._SENT 
Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 was_VBD not_XX0 a_AT0 great_AJ0 hitter_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP did_VDD become_VVI a_AT0 pretty_AV0 useful_AJ0 one_PNI ,_PUN though_AV0 ,_PUN as_CJS the_AT0 years_NN2 went_VVD along_AVP ._SENT From_PRP 1985_CRD to_PRP 1992_CRD ,_PUN eight_CRD seasons_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 good_AJ0 .361_CRD on-base_NN1 percentage_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP stole_VVD 300_CRD bases_NN2 ._SENT 
But_CJC he_PNP hit_VVD with_PRP no_AT0 power_NN1 at_PRP all¡ªhe_NP0 finished_VVD his_DPS career_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 lower_AJC slugging_AJ0 percentage_NN1 than_CJS on-base_NN1 percentage_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 rare_AJ0 thing_NN1 (_PUL especially_AV0 rare_AJ0 in_PRP his_DPS case_NN1 because_CJS Smith_NP0 's_POS .337_CRD on-base_NN1 percentage_NN1 was_VBD n't_XX0 all_DT0 that_DT0 good_AJ0 )_PUR ._SENT Of_PRF the_AT0 87_CRD players_NN2 with_PRP more_AV0 than_CJS 10_CRD ,_PUN 000_CRD big-league_AJ0 plate_NN1 appearances_NN2 ,_PUN Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 has_VHZ by_PRP far_AV0 the_AT0 lowest_AJS slugging_AJ0 percentage_NN1 ._SENT 
Lowest_AJS SLG_NP0 (_PUL 10_CRD ,_PUN 000_CRD PAs_NP0 )_PUR 
Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 ,_PUN .328_CRD 
Rabbit_NN1 Maranville_NP0 ,_PUN .340_CRD 
Luis_NP0 Aparicio_NP0 ,_PUN .343_CRD 
Omar_NP0 Vizquel_NP0 ,_PUN .352_CRD 
Nellie_NP0 Fox_NP0 ,_PUN .363_CRD 
But_CJC Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 did_VDD have_VHI a_AT0 pretty_AJ0 famous_AJ0 extra-base_NN1 hit_VVD that_CJT you_PNP might_VM0 recall_VVI ._SENT 
A_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF years_NN2 ago_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP worked_VVD with_PRP my_DPS friend_NN1 Jon_NP0 Hock_NN1 on_PRP a_AT0 movie_NN1 we_PNP called_VVD Generations_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Game_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP now_AV0 plays_VVZ multiple_AJ0 times_NN2 every_AT0 day_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Baseball_NN1 Hall_NN1 of_PRF Fame_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 fun_AJ0 things_NN2 I_PNP 've_VHB ever_AV0 done¡ªI_NN2 mean_VVB ,_PUN my_DPS job_NN1 was_VBD to_TO0 go_VVI around_AVP the_AT0 country_NN1 and_CJC interview_NN1 Hall_NN1 of_PRF Famers_NN2 (_PUL and_CJC future_AJ0 Hall_NN1 of_PRF Famers_NN2 )_PUR about_PRP what_DTQ baseball_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 Hall_NN1 means_VVZ to_PRP them_PNP ._SENT 
As_CJS part_NN1 of_PRF this_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP went_VVD to_PRP St._NP0 Louis_NP0 to_TO0 interview_VVI Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 at_PRP his_DPS office_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 fantastic_AJ0 interview_NN1 ,_PUN like_PRP always_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP talked_VVD about_PRP how_AVQ much_AV0 he_PNP loved_VVD playing_VVG defense_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP talked_VVD about_PRP some_DT0 of_PRF his_DPS most_DT0 famous_AJ0 plays_NN2 ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP also_AV0 talked_VVD about_PRP the_AT0 home_NN1 run_NN1 he_PNP hit_VVD in_PRP Game_NN1 5_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 1985_CRD NLCS_NN2 ._SENT That_DT0 came_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 bottom_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 ninth_ORD inning_NN1 ,_PUN one_PNI out_AVP ,_PUN the_AT0 series_NN0 tied_VVN ,_PUN the_AT0 game_NN1 tied_VVN ._SENT Smith_NP0 hit_VVD it_PNP off_PRP the_AT0 Dodgers_NP0 '_POS reliever_VVB Tom_NP0 Niedenfuer_NP0 ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 surprising_AJ0 home_NN1 runs_VVZ in_PRP baseball_NN1 history_NN1 ._SENT 
And_CJC as_CJS Ozzie_NP0 remembered_VVD it_PNP ,_PUN he_PNP began_VVD to_TO0 echo_VVI the_AT0 famous_AJ0 Jack_NP0 Buck_NN0 call_VVB from_PRP that_DT0 home_NN1 run_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Smith_NP0 corks_NN2 one_CRD down_PRP the_AT0 line_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP could_VM0 feel_VVI the_AT0 goose_NN1 bumps_NN2 ._SENT 
"_PUQ It_PNP could_VM0 go_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP said_VVD (_PUL Buck_NN0 actually_AV0 said_VVD "_PUQ it_PNP may_VM0 go_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ but_CJC it_PNP 's_VBZ the_AT0 same_DT0 thing_NN1 )_PUR ._SENT 
"_PUQ Go_VVB crazy_AJ0 ,_PUN folks_NN2 ,_PUN go_VVB crazy_AJ0 !_SENT "_PUQ Ozzie_NP0 shouted_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 Cardinals_NN2 have_VHB won_VVN the_AT0 game_NN1 by_PRP the_AT0 score_NN1 of_PRF 3_CRD ¨_NN0 C2_CRD on_PRP a_AT0 home_NN1 run_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 Wizard_NN1 !_SENT "_PUQ 
Here_AV0 we_PNP were_VBD in_PRP a_AT0 generic_AJ0 office_NN1 in_PRP St._NP0 Louis_NP0 ,_PUN but_CJC for_PRP a_AT0 moment_NN1 it_PNP was_VBD like_CJS we_PNP were_VBD at_PRP Busch_NP0 Stadium_NN1 all_DT0 those_DT0 years_NN2 ago_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 joy_NN1 on_PRP his_DPS face_NN1 ,_PUN even_AV0 after_PRP all_DT0 these_DT0 years_NN2 ,_PUN was_VBD so_AV0 evident_AJ0 ,_PUN so_AV0 palpable¡ªif_NN1 you_PNP happen_VVB to_TO0 come_VVI to_PRP Cooperstown_NP0 and_CJC the_AT0 Hall_NN1 of_PRF Fame_NN1 ,_PUN look_VVB for_PRP it_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 movie_NN1 ._SENT Ozzie_NP0 Smith_NP0 played_VVD the_AT0 game_NN1 with_PRP irrepressible_AJ0 joy_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP still_AV0 feels_VVZ it_PNP ._SENT That_DT0 is_VBZ his_DPS superpower_NN1 ._SENT 
No._NN1 92_CRD Bullet_NN1 Rogan_NP0 
There_EX0 's_VBZ a_AT0 decent_AJ0 chance_NN1 that_CJT even_AV0 if_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB a_AT0 devoted_AJ0 baseball_NN1 fan¡ªeven_NN1 if_CJS you_PNP 're_VBB fascinated_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 Negro_NN1 Leagues¡ªyou_NP0 've_VHB never_AV0 heard_VVN of_PRF Bullet_NN1 Rogan_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD not_XX0 heard_VVN of_PRF him_PNP until_CJS I_PNP was_VBD having_VHG breakfast_NN1 one_CRD day_NN1 with_PRP my_DPS friend_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 legendary_AJ0 Negro_NN1 Leagues_NN2 player_NN1 ,_PUN manager_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC storyteller_NN1 Buck_NP0 O'Neil_NP0 ._SENT Buck_NN0 called_VVD him_PNP "_PUQ Bullet_NN1 Joe_NP0 Rogan_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ though_CJS his_DPS name_NN1 was_VBD probably_AV0 not_XX0 Joe_NP0 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD probably_AV0 Charles_NP0 Wilber_NP0 Rogan_NP0 ._SENT To_TO0 be_VBI fair_AJ0 ,_PUN much_AV0 of_PRF Bullet_NN1 Rogan_NP0 's_POS life_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 mystery_NN1 ._SENT 
Anyway_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP were_VBD talking_VVG about_PRP Negro_NN1 Leaguers_NN2 who_PNQ belonged_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 Hall_NN1 of_PRF Fame_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC Buck_NN0 began_VVD to_TO0 talk_VVI about_PRP Bullet_NN1 Joe_NP0 ._SENT He_PNP said_VVD that_CJT Rogan_NP0 threw_VVD about_AVP as_CJS hard_AV0 as_CJS Satchel_NP0 Paige_NP0 ,_PUN was_VBD perhaps_AV0 the_AT0 best_AJS fielding_NN1 pitcher_NN1 in_PRP baseball_NN1 history_NN1 ,_PUN was_VBD a_AT0 world-class_AJ0 center_NN1 fielder_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC could_VM0 handle_VVI the_AT0 bat_NN1 better_AJC than_CJS anyone_PNI he_PNP 'd_VHD ever_AV0 seen_VVN ._SENT 
Bullet_NN1 Joe_NP0 sounded_VVD to_PRP me_PNP more_AV0 like_PRP a_AT0 comic_AJ0 book_NN1 superhero_NN1 than_CJS a_AT0 man_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP began_VVD to_TO0 investigate_VVI ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD not_XX0 easy_AJ0 ._SENT Rogan_NP0 began_VVD his_DPS baseball_NN1 career_NN1 during_PRP World_NN1 War_NN1 I_PNP ,_PUN before_CJS the_AT0 official_AJ0 Negro_NN1 Leagues_NN2 began_VVD ._SENT He_PNP played_VVD the_AT0 bulk_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS career_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 1920s_CRD ,_PUN a_AT0 time_NN1 period_NN1 often_AV0 ignored_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 Negro_NN1 Leagues_NN2 books_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP died_VVD in_PRP 1967_CRD ,_PUN before_CJS Robert_NP0 Peterson_NP0 's_POS groundbreaking_AJ0 book_NN1 ,_PUN Only_AV0 the_AT0 Ball_NN1 Was_VBD White_AJ0 ,_PUN launched_VVD interest_NN1 in_PRP Negro_NN1 Leagues_NN2 baseball_NN1 ._SENT 
But_CJC there_EX0 are_VBB clues_NN2 left_VVN behind_AV0 about_PRP Rogan_NP0 's_POS brilliance_NN1 ._SENT For_PRP instance_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Hall_NN1 of_PRF Fame_NN1 manager_NN1 Casey_NP0 Stengel_NP0 called_VVD Rogan_NP0 the_AT0 best_AJS all-around_DT0 player_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 and_CJC one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 best¡ªif_NN1 not_XX0 the_AT0 best¡ªpitcher_NN1 who_PNQ ever_AV0 lived_VVD ._SENT Rogan_NP0 's_POS catcher_NN1 and_CJC manager_NN1 Frank_NP0 Duncan_NP0 called_VVD Rogan_NP0 the_AT0 best_AJS lowball_AJ0 hitter_NN1 he_PNP ever_AV0 saw_VVD ._SENT A_AT0 teammate_NN1 named_VVN George_NP0 Carr_NP0 said_VVD that_CJT Rogan_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 smartest_AJS pitcher_NN1 he_PNP ever_AV0 saw_VVD ;_PUN he_PNP never_AV0 threw_VVD the_AT0 same_DT0 pitch_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 hitter_NN1 twice_AV0 ._SENT 
After_PRP watching_VVG a_AT0 48-year-old_AJ0 Bullet_NN1 Rogan_NP0 crack_NN1 three_CRD hits_VVZ against_PRP his_DPS all-star_AJ0 barnstorming_AJ0 team_NN1 ,_PUN Bob_NP0 Feller_NN1 said_VVD :_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 imagine_VVI how_AVQ good_AJ0 he_PNP must_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN when_CJS he_PNP was_VBD young_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
What_DTQ can_VM0 we_PNP do_VDI with_PRP such_DT0 words_NN2 ?_SENT What_DTQ can_VM0 we_PNP do_VDI when_CJS left_VVN only_AV0 with_PRP legend_NN1 ?_SENT 
