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.
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76 comments Add your comment
Reid Adair
May 21st, 2009
7:43 pm
Letting John Smoltz go was, in my mind, the worst off-season move for the Braves. After everything that he has done for the Braves organization and the city of Atlanta, to cast him out like that was horrible.
I hope his rehab progresses on schedule for him to be with the Red Sox during those two mid-June series, and while I am a Braves fan through and through, I hope he sticks it to them good.
I can hear Frank Wren now. “We made a decision, and we stick by that.”
Whatever.
David Woleslagle
May 21st, 2009
8:40 pm
Jeff,
I Iove Smoltz, and all he did for the Braves over the years, but he left because he wanted a shot at a ring. The Braves guaranteed him $2.5M, not chump change for a 42-year-old guy coming off surgery. The incentives to get to $10M were lame, much better in the Sox offer. The Braves needed him coming out of ST, the Sox wanted him for down the stretch and into the postseason. The Brave’s offer was good, the Sox’ was better. No slam, but he went for the money & the ring potential. Only critique is that he should admit it. Let’s face it, he did a lot for the team, but they also paid him $14M to be injured last year.
Mike Lum
May 21st, 2009
8:43 pm
I wish Smoltz the best, but Wren made the right decision…lining up a staff of Lowe, JJ, and Vasquez. We didn’t need a repeat of last year’s injury parade…Smoltz, Glavine, Hudson, Gonzalez, Soriano, Moylan, etc. KK may not work out, but Hanson, Medlin, Glavine, Hudson (& others at AAA) show the reworked pitching staff can operate without taking the expensive chance Smoltz doesn’t work out. Sure, he’s a competitor and long-time brave, but being sentimental doesn’t win championships. It’s time to move forward.
Mike Lum
May 21st, 2009
8:45 pm
Good point about the ring, David W. Will be funny if the Braves make the playoffs and Boston doesn’t. Even funnier if we have Hudson in the bullpen.
Realist
May 21st, 2009
8:52 pm
Show me where Smoltz denies taking more money?
David Woleslagle
May 21st, 2009
8:57 pm
Huh?
David Woleslagle
May 21st, 2009
9:05 pm
Mike Lum – and I’ve been a Braves’ fan long enough to remember your salad days, I’m with you! Would love to see that, and I have dreams about a Huddy-Lowe-Jurgens-Vazquez – Hanson rotation next year.
Ted Striker
May 21st, 2009
9:21 pm
Jeff — $1 beer and John Smoltz. No wonder you took the assignment. Had Elisha Cuthbert also been throwing out the first pitch, you’d have left for Augusta at 6 am.
The lounge at White Columns Inn (Thomson) serves a killer margarita if you get thirsty on the lonnng drive back. Occasionally I get tired and have to stretch my legs and get some vitamin c. It’s in there, you know.
Jeff Schultz
May 21st, 2009
9:39 pm
Ted — had Elisha Cuthbert been throwing out the first pitch, I’d be catching.
To others: On Smoltz. I’ve stated this before in columns but it bears repeating: As Smoltz has said, he’s had four opportunities to leave the Braves before, certainly for more money the last couple of times. If it was all about money, he could’ve left a long time ago. When the Braves guaranteed only $2 million, they basically were saying, “We don’t really want you.” And that’s fine. But in my view — and the opinion of many — this was the one player in this franchise you don’t do that to. Because, even in the WORST CASE SCENARIO, you give him $5 million and he doesn’t pitch again — so what? He was worth it. You could’ve basically has the same pitching staff you have now with Smoltz potentially coming in. Furthermore, for all he has given the franchise, for the sacrifices he made, he was worth a $5 million gold watch, even if he didn’t pitch again.
Chipper Jones put it best last January: “With all of the gambles that the Atlanta Braves have taken over the years on players, for a couple of million more dollars you don’t gamble on John Smoltz when he tells you he’s going to be back?”
You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. But that’s mine.
Jeff Schultz
May 21st, 2009
9:40 pm
Better get back on the road now. It’s $1 beer night and I think I want to beat some of this traffic.
Matt
May 21st, 2009
9:47 pm
I know I’m going to be villianized on the ole’ AJC blog, but honestly, I don’t think that it would have done the Braves much good to start the season with another giant hole in the rotation with the promise that MAYBE Smoltz would be ready by mid-season. I love Smoltzy as much as any other Braves fan, but it was the right thing to do for this year. Keep in mind, it was only a one-year deal, so he might end up in a Braves uni for next season. I don’t think that it would happen, though, with all the arms we have down in AAA ready to come up.
tvsportscaster
May 21st, 2009
9:53 pm
I know John Smoltz is a longtime Brave, but he’s not a Brave anymore, why is the ajc sending a columnist to Greenville to write about a Boston Red Sox pitcher, if you want to do that move to Boston
Drixie
May 21st, 2009
10:10 pm
Smoltz was my favorite Brave, but he’s 42 and wanted to pitch for a playoff-contending team that had the luxury of waiting for him to rehab. If He really wanted to stay with The Braves for one last year, he would have. I wish him well, but I’m not mad at either Smoltz or the Braves.
Thirtyfour Cents
May 21st, 2009
10:18 pm
I have been watching baseball since my father took me to see Eddie Matthews when he played for the Crackers, so I have seen some great baseball players over the years including Mantle, Mays, and Aaron. Smoltz is my favorite. He his a class guy and fierce competitor. If Smoltz didn’t think he could contribute, he wouldn’t take the field. Part of his decision may have been a chance at another WS, which he wouldn’t have with the Braves, but overall, the Braves treated him badly. It shows you where the franchise is going. I hope that Smoltz stays around Atlanta and goes into broadcasting. He is a tremendous asset to the community. If I remember correctly, when Andruw Jones was hanging out at the Gold Club, Smoltz was visiting the VA Hospital.
brent a.
May 21st, 2009
10:33 pm
Smoltz had griped through contract negotiations many times before.
He could’ve pulled this on us next year, if it hadn’t happened this year.
It’s not as if the Braves simply punted Smoltz. They were in negotiations with him; but, he took a better offer.
His choice. Just because he wants to be surly and gripe and complain doesn’t mean that it all has to be Frank Wren’s fault.
John has flirted with leaving many times before, and could’ve done it again in the future. The Braves couldn’t give him a blank check.
rhynster
May 21st, 2009
10:46 pm
That’s exactly right, Jeff.
You’ll trade the farm for Mark Texiera, but you won’t take a gamble on JOHN freaking SMOLTZ?
He’s going to throw us senseless when we face him in June.
And that is absolutely going to happen.
Ed
May 21st, 2009
10:51 pm
Haven’t read your column and don’t intend to. No way you should be wasting an article on another team’s pitcher on a minor league assignment. Get over it!
TM
May 21st, 2009
10:59 pm
Jeff, thanks for the story and your thoughts. I believe your comments (opinion) to be dead on.
I said in the winter, the Braves were willing to take either Glavine or Smoltz, but not both. To me and most everyone I know who is a Braves fan it was a no-brainer. The Braves absolutely blew it.
They chose a player who already showed disloyalty to the organization (free agency signing w/ mets) and coming off his first injury at the age of 42. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the difference between what Smoltz signed with the Bosox and what the Braves will be paying Glavine, assuming he hits all of his bonus’… even or at most 1 million dollars?
I have been a die hard Braves fan for over 30 years, until this season. I hope the former face of the franchise not only pitches in Turner field against the Braves, but shuts them down and gets a standing ovation. I will always root for Smoltzie and never forgive the Braves management for casting Smoltz aside and going with Glavine.
On a related subject, several radio shows and even the TV people are perplexed why the crowds are down at Turner Field. I suggest rereading Schultz’s blog and my comments… why would Braves fans want to support a team that is not committed to their best players, their fans and putting the best product on the field? I ask you…
Najeh Davenpoop
May 21st, 2009
11:50 pm
I completely agree with what Schultz said at 9:39. Smoltz is the one old guy who is worth overpaying to keep. If the Braves can throw $23 million at a 33-year-old from Japan who has never thrown a major league pitch, they can throw $5 million at Smoltz.
larry
May 21st, 2009
11:56 pm
great stuff jeff. we are psyched here in Boston
the Portland Sea Dogs Double A affiliate is on the road Tuesday night
Greenville will be in Rome GA, a short drive from Smoltz’s home….
do you really think he’s really heading north?
DHD
May 22nd, 2009
12:00 am
Another article about a former player. BTW…what did Vick eat for dinner tonight? I didn’t see that reported yet.
Mitch
May 22nd, 2009
12:44 am
Jeff, I absolutely agree with you that letting Smoltz go was the Braves worst mistake ever. I’ve been a Braves fan for 27 years, and Smoltzie’s departure was their biggest PR nightmare.
We all know about Mike Hampton. Guy made.. between 50 and 60 million, between 2005 to 2008, to miss most of four seasons, then bolts to Houston. They tossed that money down the drain, almost like it was nothing, for a guy who barely pitched for them after 2004, and they cant risk 5 mil, on a guy who pitched for them for eighteen full seasons, won 210 games, saved 154, and will one day be in the Hall, as one of the greatest pitchers ever? No!
I always root for the Braves to win, but I hope Smoltz does make it back for those games against the Braves, and pitches and wins in two games. That would really be the way to stick it to the Braves.
Better yet, its a long way from happening, but wouldnt it be even sweeter, if the Braves and Red Sox made it to say, late October, and Smoltz stuck it to the Braves on a much bigger stage, and won his second World Series, after so many years of coming up short with the Braves.
Mitch
Ted Striker
May 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
Cuthbert pitching, JS catching. Kinky! My man!
ben
May 22nd, 2009
1:08 am
vick ate dinner at fugo de chao
b’fast at ihop.
seriously, thanks for the smoltz update
Stat Man
May 22nd, 2009
2:01 am
Put me in with the others that really wonder why a newspaper, losing money hand over fist, would pay one of their writers (even if it is just a mediocre columnist) to cover an EX-Brave.
I know the Braves aren’t tearing it up right now, but are they so boring that other teams minor league outings of EX-Braves more important?
I’m still convinced that Smoltz’s PR firm here in Atlanta is paying the AJC (hey, they need the money) to keep his name in the news.
John Smoltz gets married. John Smoltz throws batting practice. John Smoltz picks his nose. Every thing this guy does is reported on by the AJC – heck, he gets more ink now than when he was actually pitching here.
Truly a sad commentary that he continues to get such space in an Atlanta paper.
Now that the sports section is more like a phamplet, he probably has a higher percentage of visability than any current Brave.
Sad, just plain sad.
povox
May 22nd, 2009
4:28 am
Given the inflated salaries of MLB players today, $5 mil for a proven clubhouse leader would be a bargain, even if he did not throw a single pitch.
thisistired
May 22nd, 2009
6:45 am
I am on a self imposed spending FREEZE from Atlanta baseball due to this decision. For this season they will not get one dime of my money. I will watch on TV, but that is it. The ONLY EXCEPTION will be if Smoltz pitches in Atlanta. I will then go to that game, where a Smoltz RED SOX jersey and cheer for the visitors. This was the WORST PR move in Braves history. I know we have a good rotation, but this was our leader and you just don’t treat icons that way. Love the Braves, have no use for Frank Wren.
LivininAL
May 22nd, 2009
6:49 am
Braves could and should have paid Smoltz; Financially they could have signed another pitcher of Kawakami’s caliber for the amount they paid for the Japanese “star”.
Kevin
May 22nd, 2009
7:12 am
what a great moment in Redsox history John smoltz beats tom(ow)glavine and the rest of The double-A braves they claim be major league talent ha ha.Its goin be fun see 53,400 people when smoltz pitch here as redsox win game n smoltz strikes out 12 in a 11-0 win…and glavine he be just pickin his ass n stuff…..cox will be sittin should i beat me wife today….Frenchy be worried of his hair n are cf related the the president of braves be happy….chipper will just get a mop and cry!
ND
May 22nd, 2009
7:40 am
MITCH: You clearly are not a Braves fan if you would rather see Smoltz win a WS by beating the Braves. In fact none of you people are true Braves fans if you are going to pull against them. You think any of the current Braves had a say in Smoltz leaving? It is basically a kick in their groin to be pulling for one player over the Braves. And like a few posts have said, he is gone. Move on.
NikkiFree
May 22nd, 2009
7:51 am
What a dumb move by the Braves to let Smoltz go. He will definitely be getting a standing ovation if, and when, he pitches against the Braves in June. i wouldn’t be surprised if even the Braves fans would be cheering that day for Smoltz to get the win. We fans are not too thrilled with the moves this organization have made as of late. I am aBraves fan but I’m also a Smoltz fan no matter where he pitches.
Smoltzie Fan
May 22nd, 2009
8:24 am
I live in the Augusta area, so I got to see Smoltzie last night. What ovations the largest crowd in Augusta Greenjackets history gave this man! It’s so clear that Terry McGuirk and Frank Wren screwed this one up every time you see Kawakami pitch. We gave this guy $23 Million, and couldn’t give Smoltzie $5 Million? When you see the love that was bestowed upon this man for the many gifts he gave to us the last 21 years, you wonder how they couldn’t give him this money, regardless if he makes it or not. He was not throwing at full strength last night, but had great movement, and gave up one seeing-eye single between short and 3rd. Is it any wonder the Braves are offering season tickets for $5 each along with a 755 club membership? Noone wants tickets to an organization who does their favorite sons this way. You reap what you sow!
apowell61
May 22nd, 2009
8:32 am
I was there! I loved the standing O we all gave him when he left after 3. Here is a video from last night.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/05/22/gja_524882.shtml
Mart
May 22nd, 2009
8:37 am
The Braves appear to have come out ahead in the Smoltz negotiations. Here it is nearly June and big, bad John hasn’t pitched an inning. That’s why the Braves didn’t sign him. Smoltz will always be able to “make it back to the mound,” unfortunately, it’s keeping him there that’s been the problem.
Go Braves! (And did you hear – gasp – that Glavine had another good bullpen session!)
BOB
May 22nd, 2009
8:38 am
If Wren resigns Smoltz for half a season at that price he tells the fan base and the team, “we aren’t serious about winning this season and we aren’t too serious about winning in the future.” However he gets the moral victory if he does. Smoltz has taken less money for years?? Why not take less money one last time and end your career here? This is your 5th? 6th arm surgery? You’re only going to be able to pitch for half the season. We did stick by you when moved to the bullpen. We have stuck by you and continued to pay you while on the DL….11 times!!!
Jeff Schultz
May 22nd, 2009
9:07 am
Morning all. Thanks for the comments.
Larry — didn’t check the schedule. Just went by what Smoltz told me, and he said Portland. Maybe he’s meeting them on the road? … But he also said schedule has been changing almost daily.
DHD: MV just got up. I hear it’s Corn Flakes and strawberries this morning, but I’ll get back to you.
Ben: See above.
Stat: It’s called a story of interest to Atlanta readers and within close proximity of us (we wouldn’t have flown to Maine; Augusta’s a 2-hour drive). Kinda simple. A “sad commentary”? Are you serious?
Povox: bingo.
LivingInAl: Yeah, Kawakami’s not looking like a great investment.
thisistired
May 22nd, 2009
9:11 am
Hey MART…we gave some Japanese pitcher $23 MILLION and he has barely pitched an inning! We could have put Hanson in this rotation until Smoltz was ready to go and saved $18 MILLION to go get a BAT! THAT my friend was a STUPID statement!
Braveswereright
May 22nd, 2009
9:20 am
Come on, Jeff; be realistic and not a media homer with an agenda…Smoltz left because he wanted another ring and didn’t think the Braves had a chance at the postseason this year. The Braves did exactly what they should have done, wisely invested in guys like Lowe who stay healthy and can actually pitch a full season. You have seen the medical reports on Smoltz’s rotator cuff, he has a handful of starts left in his career at best…re-signing him would be like the Braves signing a washed-up slugger like “traning-room Larry” to an expensive extension (oh wait, they just did that!?). Sentimental signings don’t win pennants…or fill up the stands, either.
Obama hates Cheney's bald head the most
May 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
Yeah, we gave how much to the 84 year old Japanese guy and what to Smoltz, the face of our franchise. I said it when it happended, Wren should have been taken out and beaten for that. And don’t give me this injury parade thing from last year, it was a fluke, like UGA’s rash of injuries. Screw what happens during that freakish season, but don’t bombshell the team.
And the resinging of Glavine was Wren back pedaling from the Braves organization’s most monumental F up. And I love Glavine too by the way, but Smoltz was the man.
Unfortunaltey he is going to tap our a$$ in mid June and I am going to laugh the whole time.
thisistired
May 22nd, 2009
9:26 am
Hey BRAVESWERERIGHT…looked at the stands lately? You think the moves that were made are filling them? 15,000? Are you serious? Let’s see the attendance number when the Sox come down, ESPECIALLY if Smoltz pitches. That Kawakami signing is REALLY putting butts in the seats. When Smoltz is pitching in October and helping the Sox and Frank and the boys are on the golf course we’ll see how those “handful of starts” have turned out. I would be my paycheck that Smoltz winds up with more wins than Kawakami and Reyes combined this year.
Obama hates Cheney's bald head the most
May 22nd, 2009
9:31 am
Mart….you are an a$$clown; Cheney would have you waterboarded and deny that it sucks.
You know nothing about baseball.
Random
May 22nd, 2009
9:35 am
If Smoltz and the Braves do meet, I’ll be rooting for Smoltz to do well, to be head & shoulders the best player on either team, but for the Braves to win after his departure from the game.
Mart (8:37 am): “The Braves appear to have come out ahead in the Smoltz negotiations.” It’s too soon to say, dontcha think?
“Here it is nearly June and big, bad John hasn’t pitched an inning.” Nor has “big, bad Tom” Glavine.
“That’s why the Braves didn’t sign him.” No — Wren always intended on signing Smoltz, but simply got wrong-footed by the Red Sox (with or without Smoltz’ complicity — that’s a whole nother discussion).
“Smoltz will always be able to “make it back to the mound,” unfortunately, it’s keeping him there that’s been the problem.” Based on his actual history of injury and recovery, this is a patently false, fictitious and apparently malicious canard.
“(And did you hear – gasp – that Glavine had another good bullpen session!)” Is a simulated game more impressive than a real (albeit Single A) game? If so, why is Glavine’s next step — should he be able to take it — to pitch a real (albeit Single A) game?
(Or are you sarcastically also banging on Glavine here? Wassup — you run out of flies to pull the wings off of?
Random
May 22nd, 2009
9:38 am
Obama hates Cheney’s bald head the most —
Hmmmmm — I thought I did.
PMC
May 22nd, 2009
9:47 am
I’m not sure you could say “drop kicked” If anything he traded in and trade up. 5 million bucks to pitch for a contender…good for him. The Braves haven’t really been serious contenders for a decade. I hope he pitches fantastically for Boston, just not against the Braves.
RANDOM STUPIDITY
May 22nd, 2009
9:49 am
John Smoltz deserves what he got, a one way ticket out of town. He got the same treatment doled out to Cal Ripken jr. Frank Wren is a genius.
Supes
May 22nd, 2009
9:49 am
Schultz, why don’t you or the AJC write about Frank Wren’s failure to assemble anything resembling a complete major league lineup, esp. where the OF production is concerned?
AJC, please get some writers who are NOT afraid of asking the tough questions and writing the unpopular with the Braves Leadership articles.
Kenshin Kawakami has been a failed experiement up to this point.
Garret Anderson is NOT a number 4 or 5 hitter b/c his power is gone. He’s nothing but a singles and doubles guy now.
Jordan Schafer is obviously NOT ready right now and is having to learn on the job
Jeff is back to his old ways and will probably have another mediocre to subpar season (and they did hitch their wagon to him knowing the risks)
So Jeff Schultz, you seem to be the one guy who maybe able to do this, call out FRANK WREN if this Braves team continues to play .500 ball and struggle while having one of the best starting rotations in the NL!
This is his doing, he’s assembled this roster. Any accountability AJC?
PMC
May 22nd, 2009
9:49 am
I wish he could finish here though.
Wes
May 22nd, 2009
10:32 am
Why does everyone want to assign blame/fault in this situation? The fact is that the Braves and Red Sox were in two completely different different situations. The Red Sox could afford to pay a premium to Smoltz to rehab and hopefully be available in June because of their roster strength and lack of fiscal restraint. The Braves could not afford to risk another pitching disaster like 2008 by continuing to spend money on health riddled veterans. They had to get more innings for their money which has played out successfully with Lowe and Vasquez and not so successfully with KK. The bottom line is that the Braves were right in what they did, the Red Sox were right in what they did, and Smoltz was right in what he did. Why the need to assign blame?
The Braves already gave Smoltz a $10-$12 million “gold watch” in 2008 for his work with the Braves.
RANDOM STUPIDITY
May 22nd, 2009
10:36 am
Chipper will not hit the D.L. He will not lead the Braves in batting average or walks.
Tommy Hanson will stay in AAA all season due to Kris Medlen pitching lights out the rest of the year.
The Braves will win the Division, running way with it after getting A-rod in a trade with the Yankees for Casey Kotchman and a bunch of minor leaguers nobody has ever heard of before.
Jeff Francoeur won’t play the whole season in RF, he ends up in LF after switching with Garret Anderson. He will finally turn to Terry Pendleton for advice, and hits .350 with 30 HR’s and 110 RBI.
Javier Vazquez won’t be traded for the big bat the Braves don’t need after the A-rod trade.
Garret Anderson will lead the Braves in HR’s and RBI and get his contract renewed for 2010. He wins the gold glove in RF after showing off his rifle arm.
Jordan Schafer will lead the Bravos in walks while not striking even once after the All-star break.
The Braves will tell Tim Hudson to take a hike, not pick up his option and wish him good riddance. Tommy Turncoat will ride in like the Lone Ranger and save our Braves entire season while Bobby Cox announces his impending retirement on September 1st.
Kenshin Kawakami will finally ask his interpreter to catch relegating Brian McCann to the bench with pom poms in hand.
Derel Lowe will announce his intentions to compete in the iron man in October, quit the team and start training immediately.
Jair Jurrjens ends up winning the Cy Young award afterword and Frank Wren ends up in a psyc ward screaming : Derek Lowe is our Ace! Derek Lowe is our ace! Derk Lowe is our ace!
Terry Pendleton will do cartwheels on the field after he becomes Bobby’s replacement as manager starting in 2010. After Bobby announces his intentions to retire, the Braves go undefeated all the way through game seven of the World Series, winning it all and sending Cox out as a two time WS manager.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 22nd, 2009
10:52 am
The post at 10:36, that is beautiful my friend. I laughed till I cried.
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.