Garry Templeton will always be best known for being traded for fellow Shortstop Ozzie Smith. There were other players involved in the deal, but the swap of Shortstops would be the focal point, especially since Smith became a Hall of Famer.
Templeton had a good career, but not in the stratosphere of Smith, and nor was he ever as good in San Diego as he was in St. Louis. A Padre for ten years, Templeton did go to an All-Star Game, and won a Silver Slugger, and collected 1,135 Hits with a .252 Batting Average. A four-year captain of the team (1987-91), Templeton’s rank is hampered by his sub-.300 OBP, and lack of power, but he should not always be compared to Smith.
The Padres inducted Templeton into their Hall of Fame in 2015.
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