Smoltz back on mound — and we shouldn’t be surprised
Greenville's starting battery Thursday: John Smoltz, 42, and Tim Federowicz, 21. (AP photo.)
AUGUSTA – He was just married last weekend and made his season minor-league pitching debut Thursday night, none of which would be that unusual if John Smoltz wasn’t 42 and looking slightly out of place with teammates shortly removed from their high school proms.
“I was in A ball in 1986 when a lot of these guys weren’t even born,” he said. “Their meal money is $29. Mine was $4.50. It was McDonald’s every night. They won’t be eating McDonald’s tonight.”
Welcome to another John Smoltz rehab assignment. Not sure how many this makes now. But it has to go down as his most difficult — less because he’s coming off surgery for a torn labrum last June than the fact he was set to pitch in a stadium just 1.6 miles from Augusta National (venue for his other passion: golf).
“Drove by it on the way here,” he said, smiling, before his scheduled start. “Beautiful place. Played there with Tiger two years ago.”
When he is finished with baseball, he wants to play on the Senior’s Tour. But this is was about putting that off for a while.
Smoltz allowed one hit in three innings in his first action since surgery last June. (AP photo.)
After being drop-kicked by the Braves in negotiations last winter, Smoltz signed with Boston. After some delays, his first start came with Single-A Greenville, ironically a former Braves’ affiliate, and in his home state for 21 years. His arm didn’t fall off. Pitching in a packed Lake Olmstead Stadium — it also was $1 beer night — he allowed one hit in three innings and struck out two. He said he threw at “80-85 percent.”
“Mentally, this did a lot for me,” said Smoltz, who then catered a post-game spread for teammates.
His Greenville teammates were appropriately awed. Center fielder Pete Hissey, 19, said: “We were all in front of our lockers with a baseball and pen waiting when he got here. And then we’re like, ‘OK, who’s going to be the first to ask him for an autograph?’”
Better hurry. Boston’s plans are for Smoltz to pitch Tuesday in Double-A Portland, Me., and then move on to Triple-A Pawtucket in the next few weeks.
“I’m progressing toward the middle of June,” he said. “And then, uh, yeah — I know what that means.”
Braves at Fenway Park: June 19-21. Red Sox at Turner Field: June 26-28.
Smoltz on the timing: “I could take it or leave it. Probably leave it, actually. If it were my fifth or sixth start, it would be no big deal. But if it’s my second or first, it’s almost bigger than I want it to be.”
Sorry. Not buying that one.
Nothing is ever bigger than John Smoltz wants it to be. It’s a reason he’ll go down as possibly Atlanta sports’ greatest competitor. To make yet another improbable comeback from another career-threatening injury and do it against the Braves? Nothing would be sweeter for him.
This rehab stint never should have come in the uniform of a Boston affiliate. The Braves’ low-balling of Smoltz would have ranked as one of the franchise’s worst decisions ever even if he had spontaneously combusted Thursday (he didn’t). They guaranteed $2 million to a pitcher who provided them with the greatest post-season moments in their history, defying medical and baseball logic in the process. The Red Sox knew him only from highlights. They guaranteed $5.5 million.
Smoltz said, “What drives me is I still love pitching. I’m not out to prove anybody wrong. I believe I’m good enough to dominate. I don’t believe I’m just good enough to get by. For what I did the longest time in Atlanta, it’s understood what I’ve overcome.”
But it’s easy to pick up on some lingering bitterness from his departure, specifically comments from Braves executive Terence McGuirk. “He said something like, ‘I don’t know where John’s head is at. We offered him the same contract.’ It wasn’t close to the same.”
But he was mostly smiles. He pitched two innings of a simulated game in Ft. Myers last Friday, then returned to his Alpharetta home for his second marriage, to Kathryn Darden, then back to Ft. Myers, Fla., for more work.
The rehab schedule of late has been “like a series of quarterback audibles,” given his strength and weather conditions. The Sox have tried to keep him on a slow, steady pace. “Spring training was like going to Augusta National, and all you can do is hit a pitching wedge off the green. And you’re so close, you’re right there and you want to play, but you can’t.”
He was back on a mound Thursday, wearing No. 29, and was introduced as “future Hall of Famer, John Smoltz.” And it didn’t look like the end.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
76 comments Add your comment
Mart
May 22nd, 2009
10:58 am
The fact remains that Smoltz is taking millions of Red Sox money and not contributing a dime’s worth on the field. (Sort of like he did to the Braves for years.) Maybe he’ll be ready in time to underachieve in the playoffs for Boston. (Sort of like he did for the Braves all those years.)
John, I hope your new marriage works better than your first one. (Have your heard!? – gasp – Tommy Gun Glavine through on the sidelines yesterday and felt no discomfort!!!)
Mart
May 22nd, 2009
10:59 am
By the way, that “through” comment in the above sentence was not a mistake.
bruce
May 22nd, 2009
11:04 am
Jeff,
Thank you for the nice story. My feeling even after reading the opinions on both sides above is that it is just sad that the Braves could/did not work something out to bring Smoltz back. It makes me sad, I really wish this was another Braves-Smoltz comeback story. And I can appreciate the emotions on both sides which is why I end up somewhere in the middle with a sad feeling.
If I recall correctly, at the time of the Smoltz-Red Sox signing, the Braves had not signed Lowe nor Vazquez nor KK, so the Braves did not know exactly how many millions they could have available to give to Smoltz. If the negotiations had continued until after Lowe and Vazquez signings, then I want to believe Smoltz would have been on the Braves 40 man roster. I will root for him to pitch well and watch when I can. I am not sure how I will feel when he pitches against the Braves because I am a still a strong fan of both… except sad that he is not pitching for the Braves. Thanks, Bruce
Michael J
May 22nd, 2009
11:05 am
I’ve read all the comments, and can understand why some have said it was time to move on & let Smoltzie go. If you only look at his age, and the fact that he may or may not come back from this injury, you could have that opinion.
However, we’re not talking about a Mike Hampton, we’re talking about a fierce competitor – a future Hall of Famer. From my standpoint, I have to side with the fans who have said it was a huge mistake. Smoltz was loyal to the Braves – he could have left several times for more money, yet stayed here. The Braves have never publicly acknowledged that one time. The guy never complained about being moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen, and then accepted a role as a starter again. Was he dominate out of the bull pen- You bet. Did he regain his “starter” form and become dominant again – yep. Did he pitch when hurt? Most definitely. Did he make a large salary last year while injured? yep. But don’t use that as a reason to get rid of him. If you do, then Hudson has to go, along with most of your bull pen. Hampton won approximatley 35 games in 5 years, and brought very little value to the team. Smoltz and Chipper became the face of the franchise NATIONALLY – how do you willingly kick that kind of person and guy to the curb?
Last thing and I’m done. Lets discuss team chemistry, and the positive affect of leadership on young players and new teammates. It is impossible to measure. With great leadership, you can create a synergy where a “team” can out perform 9 other “super star” individuals. New players develope habits based on watching leaders. If you have never played on a team, or managed any kind of team, regardless of the sport, you cannot know how important a factor chemistry is in a teams success over a period of years. Sub par talent can and will win if the right leadership is in place. A “team” will have more success than 9 superstar individuals if everyone on the team knows their roll, and plays up to their potential. Does anyone reading this really believe the Braves had the best talent every year when they were winning divisional titles? The had that veteran leadership, mixed with the best coach in the game. Yes they had fantastic pitching, but they still had to score runs and play defense. The Braves showed a lack of repect for Smoltz, and a real lack of understanding concerning the positive impact he was having in the clubhouse. It’s a real shame when they allowed him to leave. Chipper was right – when a Hall of Famer says he’s coming back, how can you not take a chance for minimal money in todays terms? He must have ticked off Schurholtz in the past and the Braves “braintrust” thought they would get a little payback at the end of his career. What a shame. I hope he is treated with respect when he pitches against us in June. I want the Braves to win – but the guy deserves a standing ovation we he takes the mound at Turner Field. He gave everything he had for the Braves, and was pushed out the door.
The Other Side Of The Coin
May 22nd, 2009
11:09 am
I’ll actually defend Frank Wren or at least try to. I disagree with the idea that it would be worth it to give Smoltz $5MM even if he didn’t pitch. The economy effected almost every team in baseball this offseason and there were plenty of good HEALTHY players going into spring training that had to take minor league deals and the league minimum. So $5MM wasn’t really $5MM but closer to I don’t know $8MM or thereabouts, based on teams tightening their payrolls and not spending big (except for the Yankees). So could you justify last year giving somebody $8MM and being perfectly okay with them not pitching?
Smoltz and Glavine were offered pretty similar deals, Glavine took his and Wren gets killed for hanigng onto the past and blocking the likes of Hanson, etc. I think he made the right move, he offered Smoltz a contract with incentives which is smart baseball sense when you consider he was coming off of injury and has always been injury prone and is in his 40s.
Braveswereright
May 22nd, 2009
11:42 am
Hey “this is tired,” I wish Smoltz all the best with the Sox. But, my gut tells me he is more likely to be sitting in Dr. Andrews waiting room rather than pitching in October. The Braves made the right call by passing on paying him $10 mil not to pitch…
Gumby
May 22nd, 2009
11:58 am
As much as I loved Smoltz when he was here, he choose to leave. I have the same hard feeling for him as I did Glavine whom I still harbor resentment against. My hope is that Smoltz doesn’t get hurt but neither do I want to see him win. It would make my day for the Braves to play against him and win, then make the playoffs and the Sox fall short, because I think what John really did was abandon what he thinks is a sinking ship. A ring is what he wants and teams with no limit on what they will spend to get there was his best shot, Yankees, Red Sox, etc. They’re bad for baseball. Johnny did a lot for the Braves but it was a two way street with him being paid, quire often, to be hurt. Actually with him gone I see Chipper being a much more aggressive team leader than he could with Smoltz still here and that is a positive to Smoltz running away.
corkylikesbeer
May 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
Jeff,
Well written…I totally agree with you. Good Luck John. Mr. Frank Wren try to do the same thing with Cal Ripken in Baltimore and the owners gave Mr. Wren the door.
Spider29
May 22nd, 2009
12:17 pm
I sure enjoyed reading this, Jeff. Smoltz has been my favorite baseball player since the Braves brought him up. I “adopted” him after he pitched his first game (against the Mets). The Braves really disappointed me by not trying harder to bring John back for 2009. As many have said, if John Smoltz said he was going to be able to pitch again, he should have been given that chance in Atlanta. Of course, I want the Braves to beat the Red Sox in interleague play but I still wish John best of luck.
wjones
May 22nd, 2009
1:36 pm
Maybe I missed it, but where has it been written that the Braves were given a chance to match what the Red Sox offered? I know that the Braves gave him an offer, however “insulting” it was, and I know that players aren’t supposed to “shop” to other teams, but from the reaction after Smoltz signed it apparently caught the front office and the team off-guard. Did Smoltz or his agent go to the Braves and say “I have a better offer that I’m considering, can you do any better?” From what I remember reading at the time, it was basically Smoltz calling the Braves up and saying that he had taken a better offer from the Sox. And if that is true, then all this talk about the Braves and “why couldn’t they come up with an extra $2 million” is absurd, since they would not have known that’s what they had to come up with if they weren’t aware of another offer. If I am missing info, I stand corrected. I just never remember a scenario in which the Braves were given a chance to match.
Very Tired of Fixing it 1/4 of the way
May 22nd, 2009
2:01 pm
I love Smotlz too but yes Wren made the right decision somewhat. He let Smoltz move on but continues to wait on Glavine. In the meantime he did not sign that right handed power bat we so badly need and while the wait for Glavine is in full mode, pitchers that could not get it done last year are appearing on our roster, (Reyes, Parr) while others that Bobby seems to be having a affair with, (Buddy and Bennett) stink it up and cause our pitchers to lose their ace games.
I am really sick of seeing the braves fix only a fraction of what is wrong with this team. Why did they not just start with Lowe, Jurrjens, Hanson, Medlen and Vasquez. They spent money on a risky KK and that money could have gone for a badly needed bat.
Medlen should not have been pulled to start like he did. He was so full of nerves he could not get control and now they will send him back down with this in him memory. What a joke and what a way to ruin a good young pitcher. Pull a trade and get rid of Parr and Reyes and Anderson and KK and lets get some movement on this team ok. The heart and soul of this team is gone.
One more thing to note. If none of the players think Pendleton is worth going to for batting help, then why is he in a braves uniform. All the players are seeking batting coaches elsewhere. Tell you anything thing there Braves Management. Pendleton and his cloaning are not doing the job with these bats. He has been here quite long enought. Promote from AAA and lets get some hitting going ok. Its long overdue.
A very tired Braves Fan.
big dawg
May 22nd, 2009
2:21 pm
man it sure would be nice to be getting smoltzie back in the near future, then huddie after that. lets see that would mean our rotation down the stretch would look something like Lowe,Jurrjens,Vasquez,Smoltz, and Hudson. hmmmm, that looks pretty stout to me, but i’m just an ordinary fan who doesn’t know much i guess.
i still say lets trade flyball frenchy,strikeout schafer, always achy anderson, kan’t hit konsistently kelly, and the whole bullpen for peavy..
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 22nd, 2009
2:22 pm
The blog has been divided into two camps. Those vainly trying to defend Frank Wren and Bobby Cox, while the rest of us know better.
Hillbilly Deluxe
May 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Although they won’t publicly admit it, the Braves are going through a rebuilding phase. It didn’t really make sense to keep an aging pitcher around (OK, why they kept Glavine I don’t know). I think Smoltz really wanted a shot at another ring and knew he wasn’t going to get it here. So it really worked out for both parties.
bali
May 22nd, 2009
2:32 pm
smoltz and dollar suds………. priceless
Jeff Schultz
May 22nd, 2009
3:09 pm
WJones–Braves made it clear they weren’t going higher with their guarantee, although they had incentives built into their deal.
Hillbilly — I agree that Braves wanted to start rebuilding with youth and Smoltz wanted another chance at a ring — what veteran doesn’t? — but I don’t think that was highest priority. Staying was his first choice.
Bali — yeah, I think the suds were almost as big a draw as the pitcher. Last night was perfect storm for a minor-league baseball marketing dept.
Hillbilly Deluxe
May 22nd, 2009
4:03 pm
Staying was his first choice
Jeff,
I’ve never met the man so I’ll take your word for it.
Ted Striker
May 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
Letting Smoltz go wasn’t the braves biggest pitching mistake of the last few years. The biggest mistake was failing to using Mike Hampton for parts.
truth-serum
May 22nd, 2009
4:57 pm
Smoltz back on mound — and we shouldn’t be surprised
Does anybody really care?
country boy
May 22nd, 2009
5:02 pm
Hello Jeffy boy. I respect your opinion on the 5 mil gold watch for Smoltz however I am overwhelmed by the shear dollars the Braves have paid the pitcher over his outstanding career. I total something in the neighborhood of $120 MILLION dollars and around 14 million last year for two stinking wins. I don’t think the Braves made a mistake in bowing down to this sore-armed 42 yr. old player. Maybe Boston overpaid ( were there other offers? ) and maybe Smoltz just wanted to join a winner.
DannyX
May 22nd, 2009
6:08 pm
Jeff, the tide turned on the Smoltz issue 25 “I love Smoltzie” blogs ago. There was an initial outcry but then after a lot of sour words from Smoltz about the Braves and when the reality of the situation became clear, many people became glad to see him go.
country boy made some great points. The Braves have paid him MILLIONS! 14 million last year for doing NOTHING. You would think a man with all those millions would show some loyalty to the FANS. He sold out.
Its amazing that multi millionaire players these days gets excused from showing any loyalty themselves, which you make no mention of. The fans, you know the ones that help pay his salary in the first place. Remember us?
I think you have the situation reversed, “Hey, you guys paid me 14 million dollars last year for basically doing NOTHING. I’m coming back for a few dollars less, I owe it to the the club and especially to the fans.”
brewdawg
May 22nd, 2009
9:48 pm
Jeff,
You and I are of one mind on this issue my friend. Your first reply in the comments section echo my sentiments word for word
Rob
May 23rd, 2009
11:59 am
Smoltz was a GREAT Brave, but he left for more $$. Which is fine, but his competitive spirit, one of his best traits, wouldn’t let him get past a perceived insult in the Braves offer. The Red Sox have maybe twice as much $$ to stockpile players who may not even play, so they did.
The Braves did take a PR hit, but I believe, from reading everything I could, that he was going to the highest bidder, period. It was a time in his life that he needed more money, so he got some. His behavior since has not been exactly gracious. He wanted everything – the most money plus trying to get everyone to think it was about loyalty. Not a big deal, but it’s pretty clearly BS.
I hope Smoltz has his jersey retired by ATL and goes into the HoF as a Brave, but I also hope we rake against him if we face him (if his arm holds up that long).
Michael Procton
May 24th, 2009
1:49 am
Mr. Schultz, the nation is in a recession, and this team is not owned by an individual. It’s owned by an organization looking to do nothing more than make a profit. How, precisely, does Frank Wren justify guaranteeing $5 mil last winter to a guy who had no guarantee of ever putting on a baseball jersey again, much less being a decent major league starting pitcher?
Kevin
May 24th, 2009
8:06 am
Naw smoltz wins 12 this year and wins a ring with redsox he wear a Boston redsox cap…ha ha braves people like Maddox will wear a (chokin)cubs cap to in HOF….glavine will wear a dollar sign cap at his HOF also…and wren was fired for tryin to rid the man who played in over 2130games in arow.
Tom
May 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
Smoltz had a great career and I hope he comes back and does well. But the Braves did absolutely the right thing. Since when does anyone have the right to make millions of dollars for doing nothing. Have I missed something, has he pitched this year. Didn’t he make a ton of money last year for barely pitching! Five million dollar offer for not doing anything, sounds good to me and also to all those golden parachute exeutives at bankrupt companies. Heck I would have taken the two. Great move Braves, at least someone has common sense. Good for you Smoltz to get some sucker to pay 5 million. But no one should say anything about the club that did not want to give away money. That is just wrong and the main problem with our government and companies today.