Presented here is a signed and heavily inscribed photograph of St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith performing his trademark backflip. Smith discusses the backflip in his inscription, which reads, “It began as a way to show my Padre teammates I wasn’t tired during running drills at Spring Training. I had honed my gymnastics skills as a kid playing on trampoline so to show my energy was still intact I did a round off back flip in front of the veterans like Gaylord Perry and Dave Winfield. The Padres P.R. Department saw it and asked me to do it for Fan Appreciation Day. After that I did the flip running to my position at the first and last game of every season. It became my trademark . For me the flip symbolizes the youthful exuberance and joy I felt while playing the game I love.” Smith signed and inscribed this 16 x 20 inch photograph in silver marker, writing “The Wizard / H.O.F. 02” beneath his signature. This item comes with a COA from Steiner Sports and a Fanatics Authenticated hologram (0542649). 

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