A MISSING ROOKIE CUP- 1979 OZZIE SMITH

Next up in the “Missing Rookie Cup” thread is one of the great rookie cards of the decade, 1979’s Ozzie Smith, which in my opinion would have been oh-so-much better with that Topps Rookie All-Star trophy at the lower right corner:

Smith made an immediate impact in the Majors when he came up in 1978, finishing second to slugger Bob Horner (and all the hype) in the National League Rookie of the Year Award.
Playing in 159 games for the San Diego Padres, Smith hit .258 with 152 hits, 69 runs and 40 stolen bases, giving everyone a good idea of what to expect for the next 19 seasons.
But of course it was his defensive wizardry that led him straight to the Hall of Fame, collecting 13 straight Gold Gloves between 1980 and 1992, while making 15 All-Star games and giving everyone thrills along the way.
“The Wizard of Oz” was incredible, and definitely one of those players I am so grateful to have had seen play in person.