CARDS' `WIZARD' AT END OF ROAD.

Byline: R.B. Fallstrom Associated Press 

Even the real Wizard of Oz eventually had to call it quits.

At age 41, his fabled defensive skills on the decline, his playing time almost nil, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith announced Wednesday he will retire at the end of the season.

``I feel that the time is here now,'' Smith said during a tearful news conference before the Cardinals played the Philadelphia Phillies. ``This is the best time. I'm ready for it. I know it is in my heart.''

Smith wasn't in Wednesday's lineup and has started only 15 games this season, while 26-year-old Royce Clayton has become the regular shortstop.

Although Smith was expected to retire at season's end, the news conference attracted a media mob that hasn't been seen around Busch Stadium since 1987, when he helped the Cardinals make it to the World Series for the third time in the decade.

Before the game, the video board played some of his greatest fielding plays to the tune of ``Singular Sensation.'' And then he drew a 45-second standing ovation from a crowd, many of whom were surprised to hear the news, when he stepped on the field and doffed his cap.

``I have the pleasure and honor of knowing one of the greatest persons that I've ever met, and definitely the greatest shortstop I've ever seen,'' said teammate Willie McGee, who joined Smith for the news conference.

Ask 10 people about Smith's greatest defensive stop and you'll probably get 10 different answers. One that stands out was Aug. 4, 1986, when outfielder Curt Ford made a headfirst dive toward the infield and Smith made a headfirst dive to the outfield, somehow avoiding his teammate and making a mid-air basket catch of Von Hayes' fly ball.

Smith's personal favorite came in his first major-league season, 1978, when he dived to his left and made a barehanded grab of a bad-hop ground ball by Jeff Burroughs of Atlanta, then popped to his feet and threw to first for the out.

The Wizard was born.

``Sometimes when nicknames are given to you, you don't have any choice,'' Smith said. ``You just kind of go with it. It just kind of happened, and it stuck.''

The farewell tour begins now for Smith, who'll get occasional chances to add to his major-league records for games played at shortstop (2,474), assists (8,250) and double plays (1,564). He's also among the top five in total career chances, putouts and fielding average and is regarded by many as the game's best defensive shortstop.

The 13-time Gold Glove winner is one of only 21 shortstops to play into their 40s, a feat made more impressive because 15 of those on the list were born in the 1880s.

Offensively, he wasn't too bad, either. Smith entered the league as an all-field, no-hit shortstop, but has a .261 career average, 2,414 hits and 574 stolen bases. In 1985, he hit a rare home run batting left-handed to beat the Dodgers in Game 5 of the playoffs. In 1987, he batted .303 with 75 RBI.

``Just being considered the greatest at what you do is an honor in itself,'' Smith said. ``What I've tried to do is not take myself for granted or any of my skills or abilities.

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Photo

Photo: Ozzie Smith acknowledges the crowd in St. Louis afte r announcement that he will retire at the end of this season.

Associated Press