Last week, a sold-out crowd weathered our St. Louis wintery mix to attend an extraordinary event hosted by MLB Hall of Famer, Ozzie Smith at the Ball Park Village St. Louis.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of St. Louis’ greatest sports teams, the 1982 World Series Championship St. Louis Cardinals. Ozzie wanted to start the celebrations this year with a special event, inviting his in-field teammates, a great pitcher, and his Hall of Fame coach. He added a very special friend to be the masters of ceremonies as well.
All of this is to celebrate the memories of 1982 and to also raise support for PGA REACH Gateway Foundation, an organization Ozzie has been president of since 2009.
Teammates Tommy Herr, Ken Oberkfell, (soon-to-be Hall of Famer) Jim Kaat, along with Coach Whitey Herzog joined Ozzie on stage to the delight of St. Louis Cardinals fans. Keith Hernandez, who was not able to make it into town, was on the big ZOOM screen to also be part of the event. Another highlight of the evening was to have well-known Fox Sports announcer Joe Buck as the master of ceremonies. Joe Buck’s father, Jack Buck announced this great 1982 World Series, which Joe shared, was so vivid in his own memories still today.
The program was filled with lively conversation and video clips of the 1982 Championship. The approximate 600 attendees danced to the championship’s theme song “Celebration’ by Kool and The Gang and were captivated by all of Ozzie’s guests who shared their 1982 World Series stories.
PGA REACH Gateway Foundation is appreciative for the continued support of President, Ozzie Smith as well as our supporters.
PGA REACH Gateway Foundation…Improving Lives through the Community of Golf through our three pillars of service: Youth, Military, and Inclusion.
We change lives, we save lives.