Ozzie Smith always has been fond of Reds shortstop Barry Larkin — from sharing fielding tips Larkin's rookie season to passing on the mythical torch at shortstop when he retired in 1996.

        One honor Smith might not be able to pass on to Larkin, though, is a bust at Cooperstown.

        Smith, who Tuesday became the lone member of the Hall of Fame's 2002 class, said injuries may be the downfall of Larkin's chances at entering the Hall of Fame after he retires.

        “Barry has been a great player,” said Smith, who is considered the greatest fielding shortstop of all time, arguably the greatest defensive player ever.

        Smith earned nearly 92 percent of the vote as the first lone inductee since Reggie Jackson in 1993.

        “But (Larkin) has had the injuries that have plagued him so much,” Smith said. “You feel he'd have a better chance without the injuries to have the longevity you need over the years.”

        Larkin, who turns 38 in April and is an 11-time All-Star, took over Smith's role in the mid-1990s as the top shortstop in baseball before injuries slowed him down. Larkin played in only 45 games for the Reds in 2001.

        Larkin said reaching the Hall of Fame is not among his goals as a player.

        “I'm playing for the love of the game,” Larkin said. “If it comes, that's good; if it doesn't, then that's cool.”

        Other players who will have to wait at least one more year to be elected by 10-year members of the Baseball Writers Association of America include catcher Gary Carter (72.7 percent), who missed earning Cooperstown honors by 11 votes, and Jim Rice, who garnered 55 percent of the vote.

        Nominees must receive votes on at least 75 percent of the writers' ballots.

        Former Reds Dave Parker and Dave Concepcion earned about 14 percent and 12 percent, respectively. For both, that was a fall-off from last year (16 and 14 percent).

        Smith, 47, became the 37th player elected in his first year of eligibility. Smith, who played no other position but shortstop in his 19-season career with the San Diego Padres and St.Louis Cardinals, will be inducted July 28 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

        As for Larkin, Smith said, the potential is there. In 1996, Larkin became the first shortstop in major-league history to collect 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He also earned the NL MVP award in 1995 and helped the Reds win the 1990 World Series.

        “He makes it right up there,” Smith said. “The thing that will be a question mark will be his health.”

        Smith left no question marks. He won 13 Gold Gloves and had 2,460 hits, 1,072 walks, 580 stolen bases and 1,257 runs scored. He was named to 15 National League All-Star teams. He was a central figure on Cardinals teams that went to the World Series three times during the 1980s and won the championship in 1982.

Ozzie makes Hall; can Larkin? Reds sign Casey, but talks with Harnisch fail Road to Hall could be uphill for Larkin Baseball notebook

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