Baseball legend to marshal Gateway event.

Ozzie Smith, the St. Louis Cardinals' newest member of Baseball's Hall of Fame, will serve as the Grand Marshal at the Gateway Indy 250 at Gateway International Raceway later this month.

The honour to give the command to start engines comes a month after Smith stood alone on the steps of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., the only player selected for enshrinement this year.

Known as the Wizard, Smith earned 13 Gold Gloves and was named to the National League All-Star team 15 times in his career. He set six major league defensive records for shortstops but also was an offensive force with 580 stolen bases and 2,460 career hits.

Smith came to the majors with the San Diego Padres after a college career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He played there from 1978-81 before coming to the Cardinals.

He led the Cardinals to three World Series in six years. He was known for his trademark back flip, the impossible things he could do in the field and the amount of time he gave off the field to area causes.

Still a beloved figure in St. Louis, Smith, who owns a restaurant in West Port Plaza, donates countless hours to area charities.

The IRL stars will take the green flag at 2 p.m. (CDT) Aug. 25 for the 200-lap, 250-mile event. At 11 a.m., the new Infiniti Pro Series, led by newcomers A.J. Foyt IV, Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Jason Priestley, will compete in an 80-lap, 100-mile race.

A post-race concert by Academy of Country Music Female Entertainer of the Year Martina McBride is included in the price of admission.

Until Aug. 19, fans can take advantage of a special Gateway Four Pack offer - four mid-level tickets, two IRL hats, two IRL bobbleheads and a program for just $99.

For tickets, call (866) 35-SPEED or go online at www.gatewayraceway.com. The Gateway Four Pack can only be accessed by phone.