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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
157 comments Add your comment
Bill
April 16th, 2012
1:21 pm
Just one word for Smoltz–Winner! He was a winner…
Him and Mad Dog were my favorites..Didn’t care much for Glavine.
I’ve been around Smoltz some and he has always been first class person. HOF’er? Yes!
reckingball
April 16th, 2012
1:26 pm
Any new bloggage ready yet?
sweep the muttrows!
Lefty
April 16th, 2012
1:27 pm
I really think fake Larry is a lot more entertaining that real Larry!! Sometimes it’s hard to tell ‘em apart.
REAGAN2012
April 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
SMOLTZ IS THE BEST PLAYER WEVE HAD ALMOST HIS ENTIRE CAREER ACCEPT CHIPPER HE DEFINATELY HAD HIS BEST YEARS WITH US AND HE IS AN ADMIRABLE GOOD MAN OF MORAL STATUTE I BELIEVE WE SHOULD DO WHATEVER WEC AN TO REMAIN HIIM IN WHATEVER CAPASITY
Eddie Matthews' Ghost
April 16th, 2012
1:29 pm
How about some love for Ernie Johnson. Decent pitcher in the 1960s with Braves. Great voice on the tube and radio. Retire his old number.
Homer Simpson
April 16th, 2012
1:32 pm
You probably mean KEN Johnson. Ernie retired in the 1950s. But he was a great guy.
erik
April 16th, 2012
1:34 pm
Just curious why we are keeping Durbin around, DOB? Seems we could have anyone do what he does, i.e. give up a home run in 7 consecutive outings??? Veteran in bullpen to help younger guys was the “excuse” for getting him right? Well, to me novice that I am, seems younger guy are only learning how not to pitch. Get rid of this guy…..Wren signed him to a major league deal what the smuck?
BravesfaninWis
April 16th, 2012
1:41 pm
Well deserving, a true Braves Icon much like Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. The only thing different I would have liked to of seen is Smoltz retiring wearing a Braves uni only and not a Red Sox and Cardinals jersey. Oh well, he is a Brave, and a Brave only. Congrats Smoltzie…
Zac in Tempe
April 16th, 2012
1:47 pm
Carrol,
Any chance the Braves make a move for Daniel Ray Herrara? The Mets don’t have much use for him and he is an upgrade over Durbin. He couldn’t cost much.
bravesgrl4life
April 16th, 2012
1:47 pm
We can only hope that Durbin will be released. Nothing on mlbtraderumors.com other than the doubts that McCann will be willing to sign for what the Braves will be able to offer. For me, and many others, if that happens, it will be as sad a day as Chipper’s retirement will be.
Greg Norton
April 16th, 2012
1:48 pm
Be sure to come when they retire my number.
bravesgrl4life
April 16th, 2012
1:48 pm
Oh and a rumor that a veteran shortstop has narrowed his team selection down to the Phils and the Braves.
bravesgrl4life
April 16th, 2012
1:51 pm
And an updated rumor that Fontenot has reached an agreement with the Phillies.
reckingball
April 16th, 2012
1:57 pm
erik 1:34………”seems younger guys are only learning how not to pitch.”
I don’t know about that, the younger guys are probably sitting there, when the batter jacks one of Durbins pitches out of the park, and they might be saying, ooh, I don’t think that I will make that particular pitch to that guy. Learning by example.
Derek Lowe
April 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
Let’s go ahead and add 32 to the list too
Game Changer
April 16th, 2012
2:11 pm
Smoltz did marry a girl nicknamed ” Mc Quarter ” during her college life at GA, for those that know what this means, enjoy the laugh.
Kat
April 16th, 2012
2:18 pm
@Samantha: The only reason we consider “your” business to be “our” business is because you are posting on a public website. And yes, you do sound desperate. But, many guys are into that – so good luck to you!
TheOnlyBravesFan
April 16th, 2012
2:20 pm
^^^ Good points
NorthGaDawg
April 16th, 2012
2:24 pm
About time and well deserved Smoltzie. I love all of the “Big Three”, but Smoltz has always been my favorite.
Scottbravesfan
April 16th, 2012
2:26 pm
Ordering tickets now!
Hiway 61
April 16th, 2012
2:30 pm
game changer..not funny.
Why would Wren sign Durbin at a higher price than it would have cost to keep the two younger player one now at AAA that has 17 inning with no runs.Its time for Wrens to get his sh*# together.
Hiway 61
April 16th, 2012
2:31 pm
@
1:57 agree R-ball
Mark (another one)
April 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
Smoltz deserves to be in the HOF but I take issues with those that believe the front office should have kept him around longer. Sometimes teams have to cut ties with players who believe they can still play. The Braves needed to move on and their decision appears to have been the correct one.
It’s always ugly when a great player refuses to deal with their limitations towards the end of their carrier. The Red Sox gave Smoltz a $5.5 to $10 million contract (incentives) for 2009 and received a 2-5 record with no quality starts and an ERA over 8. They guys he would have blocked from the team were either JJ (34 starts, 2.60 ERA or Hanson (21 starts, 2.89 ERA).
I would have loved for Smoltz’s Atlanta Braves career to end on a happier note, and I think this induction into the Braves HOF is a great move.
Samantha
April 16th, 2012
2:36 pm
Thanks Kat but I alredy knew that
Hiway 61
April 16th, 2012
2:39 pm
Samantha we don’t give a dam* about your business and personel life~~talk baseball please.
Smoltzzzz was the work horse~~I loved to watch him pitch and his great desire to win on and off the field..Thanks Braves management for retiring his #29..well deserved. Somoltz said, “I bleeds that uniform” and so do I.
The Blogger Formerly Known as Billy
April 16th, 2012
2:42 pm
“Andrew Jones?!? Steve Avery??!?!!? Just goes to show how devalued retiring numbers would get if you let bloggers make the decisions. Well deserved in Smoltzie’s case. Congrats and kudos!”
10 Straight gold gloves and you compare AJ to Avery?
Mountain Man
April 16th, 2012
2:43 pm
Chip’s G Momma–We could get him (Smoltz) drunk and tell him that he is calling a horse race and it would be better than the apple that fell much too far from either of the preceeding trees!
MARTEEEEN!!!
April 16th, 2012
2:43 pm
I wonder if they will have a round of golf after the ceremony:-)
Samantha
April 16th, 2012
2:45 pm
If you arent concerved about pesonnel life then why is everyone in it?
TheOnlyBravesFan
April 16th, 2012
2:48 pm
Because you put it out there for everyone to see… it would have been nice if you hadn’t gotten into that, but since you did, people will bring it up
Bill
April 16th, 2012
2:48 pm
Speaking of #42, remember the old song set to the tune of the Beach Boy’s “Sail On, Sail On Sailor?” – “Please Don’t Trade Rich Mahler.”
Samantha
April 16th, 2012
2:49 pm
Yea and you are the biggest snoop
dre
April 16th, 2012
2:51 pm
Brad Komminsk – you are next dude! Dust off that Braves cap!
The real question
April 16th, 2012
2:53 pm
The real question is whether or not Hank Aaron will put in a appearance at this retired jersey ceremony. Considering he didn’t show for Maddux, Glavine, or Bobby’s, I doubt he shows up for Smoltz. It is really disappointing considering he’s one of the all-time greats and one of the Braves legends. DOB, why doesn’t Hammerin’ Hank ever show up?
BraveFalcon
April 16th, 2012
3:09 pm
It’s about time! Way to go Smoltzie, you rock! Greatest Brave ever, in my book.
TDog
April 16th, 2012
3:34 pm
A true professional and classy guy. He gave back to the community as well with his charity. Best of luck to you in all your endeavors.
Tony C.
April 16th, 2012
3:56 pm
@Najeh-Who did Murphy hit behind? Who did Jones hit behind? Big difference in my eyes. Best protection Murphy had was a season and a half of the good Bob Horner…Andruw hit behind Chipper and in front of Lopez…not even close in terms of protection.
Otherwise, yeah the numbers are close-and Andruw is the best center fielder I’ve ever seen play-certainly one of the top 5 in the modern era. Watching Bourn at the game the other day someone remarked that we haven’t seen as good a center fielder since Andruw-but the truth is, Bourn isn’t even close.
Tony C.
April 16th, 2012
4:08 pm
Actually, I’ll take part of that back-Bourn is definitely a superior center fielder, but Andruw played center field like only a handful of other (legendary I might add) players in the history of the game have. We haven’t seen a full season of Bourn, but those are some pretty big spikes to fill.
Mr Wren
April 16th, 2012
4:23 pm
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release Chad Durbin
birddawgbill
April 16th, 2012
4:35 pm
If I recall correctly the Braves offered Smoltz a contract similar to what he got from Boston. They just tied the money to incentives. How was this doing Smoltz dirty. He left on his own for sure money. I don’t blame him but to say he was done dirty is wrong. And I’m tired of reading how Chipper is overpaid. It seems fair to me since he was underpaid most of his career. Not to mention he has been more loyal (ie didn’t leave for more money) than any of the others. And you know he could have went to free agency and racked up. Loyalty meter says Chipper, Smoltz, Maddox, Glavine.
KYBravos' fan
April 16th, 2012
4:58 pm
I’ve been watching baseball since ‘56 and John Smoltz is one of most competitive guys I’ve ever seen. His career was magnificent. Congrats to a certain HOFer!
441North
April 16th, 2012
4:58 pm
GOD BLESS DALE ALEXANDER
Younger Than That Now
April 16th, 2012
5:02 pm
Happy for John Smoltz and Braves fans! He was as good in the clutch as any of his day… exciting to watch! Congratulations to John and his family… and thanks for the memories!
If “arrogance” and “personality” were factors in deciding HOF nominees, then Greg Maddux wouldn’t be in anybody’s HOF. A great pitcher that Braves fans owe a world of gratitude to, but he was a total jerk… and if anybody here ever met him personally, they would know what that means. And I think everybody who ever saw him pitch on TBS or anywhere else, knows about his ultra FOUL MOUTH!
I said it then, and I’ll say it now… maybe the Braves brass was trying to avoid exposing John Smoltz to the embarrassment that Tom Glavine saw there at the end of his career. But, they did offer him a contract and he saw what he thought was a better deal with Boston and took it… can’t blame him for that. But you can’t blame the Braves either.
GO BRAVES!!
BrandonLee49
April 16th, 2012
5:09 pm
Smoltz was an incredible guy, whether his act of guile on the mound to persevere as he did, or his unbending support for his comrades … A True Spirit of Atlanta Braves, we Should remember him for all his efforts.
BrandonLee49
April 16th, 2012
5:17 pm
Glavine was the unsung Hero along with Smoltz… Glavine never shined his own light except when he outsmarted most hitters he ever faced… Mad Dog had most of the Notoreity of the trio, but gauranteed: Mad Dog, never would have achieved what he did, without comrades like Smoltz and Glavine ! Take That one to the Bank, Bill.. nevermind that probably went Way over your head.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
April 16th, 2012
5:35 pm
SWEEP THOSE METS!
Who Me?
April 16th, 2012
5:45 pm
didn’t realize there would be so much divided opinion about Smoltz! somewhat of a lightning rod for some people still….probably related to his divorce. Can’t argue with his numbers though, should be a first ballot choice when he’s eligible.
Ken Stallings
April 16th, 2012
6:33 pm
Smoltzie may not get elected on the first ballot for the Hall of Fame, but only in the same horrible way that Roberto Alomar was not elected on the first ballot.
He will be a Hall of Famer — no doubt whatsoever!
birddawgbill
April 16th, 2012
8:01 pm
Brandon if u were referring to me I didn’t mean to hit a nerve. I wasn’t putting Smoltz down in any way. I was just saying the Braves did not do him wrong. As a matter of fact they gave him extensions coming off injury. And I have to disagree with Smoltz and Glavine helping Maddox succede. Maddox was great before he got to Atlanta. And I don’t think they were ever in the field behind him. They did all push each other but so does any good staff. But when it came to being loyal he wasn’t as loyal to them as they were him. Nor was he as Chipper.
birddawgbill
April 16th, 2012
8:01 pm
Brandon if u were referring to me I didn’t mean to hit a nerve. I wasn’t putting Smoltz down in any way. I was just saying the Braves did not do him wrong. As a matter of fact they gave him extensions coming off injury. And I have to disagree with Smoltz and Glavine helping Maddox succede. Maddox was great before he got to Atlanta. And I don’t think they were ever in the field behind him. They did all push each other but so does any good staff. But when it came to being loyal he wasn’t as loyal to them as they were him. Nor was he as Chipper.
TPM
April 16th, 2012
8:03 pm
John Smoltz left Atlanta bitchin and complaining about his contract. He went to Boston and proved Frank Wren right.
phoenix
April 16th, 2012
9:25 pm
Andruw Jones should have his number retired. His defense alone was responsible for dozens of Glavine/Maddux wins. Not to mention his bat. The Braves won a title almost every year he played. And if you’ll notice, they haven’t done that since he left.
Loosing Managar = Loosing Record
April 16th, 2012
9:34 pm
Hire Smlotz 4 managar.
farmer
April 16th, 2012
10:24 pm
it’s about time! what the heck took them so long to finally go ahead on and retire his number? whatever it was, someone woke up and decide to do the right thing.. hopefully it won’t take near as long when they retire no.10 for Chipper.
Dnice
April 16th, 2012
10:55 pm
Lets retired Livan Hernandez number while we are at it because he has to be setting some kind of record on homeruns and runs allowed for a pitcher to be cut by a last place team. Lets stop the madness and start anew without Livan. This is not Florida.
Ted Abernathy
April 17th, 2012
9:13 am
What was Rick Camp’s number?
braves suck
April 19th, 2012
11:59 pm
WHEN THE BRAVES LET SMOLTZ GO HE SHOULD HAVE RETIRED TRING TO EXTEND HIS CAREER RUINED ANY CHANCE FOR THE HALL OF FAME