BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT

At age 41, his fabled defensive skills on the decline, his playing time almost nil, St. Louis Cardinal shortstop Ozzie Smith announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

“I feel that the time is here now,” Smith said at a news conference before the Cardinals’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies. “This is the best time. I’m ready for it. I know it is in my heart.”

Smith, batting .239, didn’t play Wednesday and has started only 15 games this season. Royce Clayton, 26, has become the regular shortstop.

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The players’ union asked an arbitrator to stop Albert Belle’s three-game suspension and hold a hearing into whether the penalty was proper under baseball’s rules.