John Smoltz gets his wittle feelings hurt. Imagine that.
We all but had a stopwatch on it in the press box Wednesday night. How long would it take for John Smoltz to rip the Braves for releasing Tom Glavine? If you had four hours, you won the pool.
After reading Smoltz’s latest rant, I thought, “Par for the course.” (Par. Course. Golf. Smoltz. Funny, huh?) Because that’s what John Smoltz does: He takes every slight, real or imagined, and personalizes it and stews over it and nurtures his resentment. I know.
It was 1997, the year after Smoltz won his Cy Young award, and he was pitching badly by his lofty standards. I wrote as much. The next day he stomped through the clubhouse and glowered but didn’t say a word to me. Because part of being John Smoltz is to smolder from afar.
I told one of the Braves’ announcers — I won’t say who — that Mr. Smoltz appeared to be displeased with my printed appraisal. And the announcer said, “The truth hurts.”
Not long afterward, Smoltz worked a good game — even I would never suggest he’s anything less than a Hall of Fame pitcher — and was surrounded by the usual media throng. Casting his glance across the clubhouse, he saw yours truly interviewing someone else. And he told the throng, “There’s Mark Bradley. If he comes over here I’ll have to stop talking to all of you. Because that guy dogged me out.”
(Dogged? Hmm. In his early days with the Braves, Smoltz’s nickname was Marmaduke. I have no idea if this is apropos of anything.)
Naturally, my colleagues were happy to inform me of Smoltz’s anti-MB stance, and I, not wanting to deprive my brother and sister journalists of the torrent of insight that is Smoltz, simply stopped going near him. And you know who found it all hilarious? Glavine, who dubbed me, “Smoltzie’s favorite journalist.” (Have I mentioned that Glavine is my all-time favorite Brave?)
Never mind that I’d written 10 gushing Smoltz columns over the previous decade. Those were eradicated by my one egregious sin. Since he didn’t want to talk with me, I mostly stopped writing about him. When he did something great, I’d say he did something great — fair’s fair — but I kept my distance.
Loading ...We wouldn’t even say hello when we passed in the hall. (I know, saying hello is a two-way street. But I can be stubborn, too.) I did break my moratorium to shake his hand and say, “Congratulations,” after he won his 200th game. And he did say, “Thanks.” And that, to this day, is the extent of our contact over the past dozen years.
Having been on the end of a Smoltz grudge, I wasn’t surprised by the vitriol he hurled at Frank Wren after negotiations with the Braves broke down. (I’d have been surprised if he’d done anything else.) And for Smoltz to pile on regarding Glavine is simply another chapter in a lengthening tome.
Because that’s John Smoltz, who has apparently convinced himself the team that employed him for two decades, the team that essentially let him decide whether he wanted to start games or close them, was out to get him — and his little pal Tom, too. You might think he has point. I think he’s just being petty.
But I’ve got a history with Marmaduke. I’m the guy who dogged him out back in 1997. And oops, I did it again.
Rip-A-Hall-Of-Famer Friday: In case you missed it, here’s what I thought of Tom Glavine’s appearance on 790 the Zone this morning.
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337 comments Add your comment
Jeff
June 5th, 2009
9:44 am
Mark: That piece was trash, same as your last one. It’s also a reminder of why I don’t subscribe to the tabloid known as the AJC. I wouldn’t want to read your trash regularly.
Lazy Dawg
June 5th, 2009
9:44 am
First I’m a big Smoltz fan but he need not worry about what the Braves do anymore and should close his pie hole,may I suggest some chowder.
Hamad Meander
June 5th, 2009
9:45 am
Again, I am dismayed by the vitriol spouted by the old core Braves – Smoltz, Glavine, Jones, etc. Glavine’s contract forced the Braves to make a decision. Let’s see – pay Glavine a million dollars for one start where he proves that he no longer can pitch in the majors. Mind you, this is after paying him millions last year for (2) wins.
One million dollars in salary pays for a whole year of TWO lower tier players such as Jordan Shaeffer and Charlie Morton. Tom Glavine, in his career, has earned $128,000,000. The Braves didn’t owe him ANYTHING more.
Fred
June 5th, 2009
9:45 am
Wow, sounds like Smoltzie wasn’t the only one to get his wittle feewing’s hurt. You been carrying that anger inside you for 12 years now Bradley? Glad you could finally release it, that stuff will eat you up inside man, it’s not healthy.
Get therapy.
Lynn
June 5th, 2009
9:46 am
So I love John Smoltz and even though I am not a huge Glavine fan (remember he was the leader of the baseball strike in 1994)I recognize he has been a huge part of the Braves organization. That being said, I believe they are both acting like primadona’s(a temperamental person; a person who takes adulation and privileged treatment as a right and reacts with petulance to criticism or inconvenience). It is always about the dollar for these guys and by these guys I mean all sports heros. I will exclude Chipper from that because he actually took a pay cut one year to stay in Atlanta and to leave some money out there for othr players. Smoltz and Glavin both are at the end of their careers and they need to realize that the fans and the management love them here in Atlanta but it is time to move on and look for talent that will make the Braves contenders again.
Dawg4Life
June 5th, 2009
9:47 am
Smoltz can keep his mouth shut. I guess I missed the part where any of this was his business. He was paid for his services here, as was Glavine. They are old and falling apart. It is time for both of them to hang it up. Not to mention, if they really wanted to be here, they could have taken less money. I could care less if Smoltz’s vagina hurts.
It's about time
June 5th, 2009
9:47 am
You are right on the money with this column
Shamus Thacker
June 5th, 2009
9:47 am
Great work Mark!
John Smolts shrinks in stature with each public opening of his gigantic pie-hole!!
I don’t think I can even see him now! Where the Hell did he go!?
Lots of folks are facing hard times in this country. John Schmuck is in dire need of an introduction to reality. A day in the shoes of any once-proud GM employee should do the trick. A million dollars is NOTHING to John Smoltz. In his twisted reality, multi-millionaires are worthy of additional millions because of who they are or what they WERE, regardless of whether they can still perform. Talk about a sense of entitlement….
Even in this day and age, children still go to bed hungry. Ever heard Smoltz bitch, moan, and whine about that!? Hell no!! He’d rather bitch at the plight of his uber-rich friend; the one not coddled and pampered with multi-millions, to maybe pitch, maybe not.
DISGUSTING!!!
Give him Hell Mark!!!
dave
June 5th, 2009
9:47 am
MB, I respect you and appreciate your ability and efforts. However . . . grudges for over a decade? How silly that seems for anyone.
rhynster
June 5th, 2009
9:47 am
It’s not surprising about Smoltz’s tendency to take crticism so harshly.
Some of the best competitors I have ever knowned have shared that same trait.
It drives their motivation and makes them tremendous competitors.
But it also makes them rather hard to be around.
Paul From Milton
June 5th, 2009
9:48 am
You think Smoltz is upset now? Just wait until he pitches poorly in Boston. After the media gets through with him there he’ll carry a grudge for the ages.
sd
June 5th, 2009
9:49 am
Both of these guys were great pitchers. Both of them have flaws, but are basically pretty good guys.
I will say this about Glavine. It comes across as hypocritical of him to suggest that he’s hurt because the Braves are “all about money” when HE was the HEAD of the players union during the 1995 strike.
That was so hard for fans to watch. Fans who work 40-50 hour weeks in factories so that they can take their kids to see these guys play ball don’t like hearing guys who play baseball for a living moaning cause they didn’t make enough millions of dollars.
BossLady
June 5th, 2009
9:50 am
I would hope that Smoltz would mind his business in Boston and his new wife and let the Braves do what they have to do. His opinions are no longer needed here anymore.
Dawg95
June 5th, 2009
9:50 am
The Braves don’t owe Smoltz or Glavine anything! They were extremely well compensated for their time in Atlanta, and both left for more money elsewhere. Nuff said!
And as far as this affecting ticket sales, thats BS!! Winning affects ticket sales. And who gives us a better chance to win Glavine or Hanson? Nuff said again!
Furthermore, releasing Glavine allowed us to make the trade for McClouth without raising the total team salary. Biggest no brainer in the history of Earth!
Hamad Meander
June 5th, 2009
9:50 am
Funny when I hear guys on the radio talk about the million dollars being no big deal. I hope to earn a million dollars in the next 15 years. They are talking about paying him that for one start. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
fradz
June 5th, 2009
9:52 am
Did you notice just how fat Glavine was when he pitched at Rome? How unprofessional is that? He has no one to blame, if anyone, but himself. And Smoltz should shut-up, the braves would have signed him if he hadn’t been a jerk and ran out of town.
Beauregard
June 5th, 2009
9:52 am
Right on, MB! If guys want to be treated like kings for their WHOLE career, they should perform like kings for their WHOLE career. The fact of the matter is, neither one can reliably pitch anymore so they’re being treated like guys who don’t know when to quit. Sandy Kofax, Barry Sanders, and Jim Brown never sucked money out their teams when they couldn’t play at a Hall of Fame level. What’s with these guys who can’t see themselves for what they NOW are?
DanDawg
June 5th, 2009
9:53 am
The Braves organization is showing its rear of late. What a PR nightmare. Who are the blockheads running this organization? They say it’s a business, but isn’t it SMART business to treat your legends with just a little bit of respect? BUSINESS 101 will teach you that there’s a lot to be said about marketing in the world of business.
BossLady
June 5th, 2009
9:53 am
Oh, yeah. Why is Smoltz picture always on the front page? We need to see a picture of Hanson or McLouth.
braves44
June 5th, 2009
9:53 am
Smoltz use to be one of my favorite players, however, i think he should keep his mouth closed. Hes the one who left the team that employed him for all these years for more money. The last 2 years he was here in atlanta there was talk of him wanting to play somewhere else.
gt
June 5th, 2009
9:53 am
GLAVINE AND SMOLTZ DESERVED TO BE TREATED WITH GREAT RESPECT FOR WHAT THEY DID ON THE FIELD HERE. THEY BROUGHT A LOT OF SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS. DITTO MADDUX. LOYALTY IS WHAT GREAT COUNTRIES, COMPANIES, ANG TEAMS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BUILT UPON. THE BRAVES OWNERSHIP POST TURNER IS PURE CRAP. HONESTY IS ANOTHER CUSSWORD TO THE OWNERS. PEOPLE, ESPECIALY THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH POSITIVELY, SHOULD BE GIVEN MORE RESPECT. I HOPE THE BRAVES DO WELL. I HOPE THAT ALL THE PRINCIPLES (INVOLVED WITH THE SABOTAGING OF THE BRAVES) FROM TIME WARNER AND THE CURRENT OUTFIT GO BANKRUPT PERSONLLY AND CORPORATELY WOULDN’T BE BAD EITHER. I USED TO HAVE TIME WARNER CABLE. AWFUL.
jdawg
June 5th, 2009
9:54 am
I know of four good season tickets, that my friend told me of last night…not going to be renewed next year…I think these cost about $13,000…so if we can get a few more…hey, they can borrow a million to make up for that revenue…jdawg
Drew
June 5th, 2009
9:54 am
Glavine treated unfairly? 1 million to pitch how many minor league games? The Braves paid them both for all of their services over the years and owe them nothing else! The more I hear them spew this garbage, the more I am glad neither wear a tomahawk on their chest! What could be handled better is the way these two jerks expect the Braves to mortgage today and tomorrow just to worship them and what they did once in 1995! And that to a strike shortened season!
NCBRAVE
June 5th, 2009
9:55 am
I thought Shilling retired? Oh, Smoltz is picking up the torch now, ok.
Jenifer
June 5th, 2009
9:55 am
Mark, I love your column! So true!!!!! Smoltz is a whiney baby. Glavine should have seen it coming as he is “old” in the world of MLB. Glavine ditched us to go to the Mets and I have never liked him since. What goes around comes around. Was Glavine upset that there was another million dollers that he missed out on? Smoltz left the Braves to go play for Boston so he should just shup his big fat mouth. There really isn’t any loyalty in baseball anymore….all about the money on both sides of the table.
Average Joe
June 5th, 2009
9:56 am
Poor babies! Welcome to the real world Smoltz and Glavine!
Most of us who work out here are always asked about our current performance and rated on our future potential. Last year’s sales don’t mean squat.
LT-A blogger
June 5th, 2009
9:56 am
Great article MB- interesting insight to ramifications on being a sports journalist. One of the hardest things in life is to deal with another man’s ego. Especially, the one’s which aren’t kept in check.
I do feel bad for Glavine. Would’ve been nice to see his career end here on a good note but I do understand (even appreciate) the front office decision.
AJC
June 5th, 2009
9:57 am
You people do realize that the Braves need to try & win baseball games, don’t you? We should see soon, if the Braves made mistakes with both Glavine (maybe) & Smoltz as baseball players that could still help your team win, with their pitching….There’ll be no storybook ending for Tom & John with the Braves because both want to continue playing, and the Braves need to move on and try to get this team back to winning again.
In time, hurt feelings will subside, and when Tom & John do retire, us Braves fans will honor them for the many great games & victories they gave us.
Note: And eventually, I think you’ll see Smoltz & MB give each other a hug…LOL
Don!
June 5th, 2009
9:57 am
This is so much deeper than picking a side. There were no winners and no losers here. In some ways, Glavine’s release was karma for putting the union and his pay scale above the Braves a few years ago. In others, it’s just another ham-handed decision by Frank Wren.
I think that the whole issue is that, yes, it could have been handled better. The baseball part of the decision is easy, Hanson will likely be a better pitcher for the Braves this season — and that really left no room for Glavine. The way Glavine’s contract was set up, it would have cost us $1M to have him pitch a single farewell game, and another $1M to keep him around long enough to see if he could still pitch in the majors. Economically, it just wasn’t worth it.
However, it’s a shame that economics have played such a role in this (or any) sport. Gone are the days when Hall of Fame players spent their entire career with one team. Of course, the same economic model results in corporations owning teams instead of owners willing to look past the money involved.
With the possible exception of the day Chipper takes off his Braves’ uniform for good, Glavine’s release marks the end of an era in Braves’ baseball. I think Smoltz was right in saying it could have been handled better — but Glavine’s departure in the first place was one of the reasons it ended when it did.
The page is turned, the bridges are burned. I just hope everyone involved remembers the good, no great, times we had here for more than a decade — and that we can all celebrate the ‘Big 3’s’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony with another World Series championship with the team we’re starting to put on the field today.
Later,
Don!
ArkyTech
June 5th, 2009
9:57 am
Journalists can be smug, and athletes tend to be pampered and out of touch with reality. But Mark is right on regarding Smoltz, and I am glad to hear someone go out and say it. So tired, and disappointed, in the guy who used to be my favorite baseball player.
RAMBLE ON!!!
June 5th, 2009
9:57 am
haha, good stuff Mark.
You are a truth machine in GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES.
Can’t stand Glavine though…will never forgive him and all the other spoiled brats for striking back in the 90’s (He was the ring leader), and then LYING about going to NY (it was for the money, not the wins). He’s a piece of crap.
I like Smoltz, I wish the braves had re signed him.
edward
June 5th, 2009
9:58 am
Are you really Terence Moore in disguise? Talk about wearing your emotions on your sleeve! That’s what your opinions come down to…your opinion on what hurts your feelings. No wonder everyone would rather have DOB and Carroll doing the reporting. Oh wait, you don’t do reporting. You should work for TMZ
fldawg
June 5th, 2009
9:58 am
Smoltz is a joke! the fact is the Braves are better off with out him and Glavine, they needed to get younger and stop paying so much for guys who may not or in both cases will not pitch a complete season. The reason that they haven’t made the playoffs the last three years is that they were paying more for guys on the DL, instead of investing in the future. Smoltz and Glavine have had great hall of fame careers, but the fact is this is a business, Boston could take a chance on Smoltz, the Braves couldn’t. I m waiting to see what he has to say if Boston releases him if he doesn’t not only pitch well, but great.They are loaded with pitching, and if all things are equal i m sure they will go with a younger player. He will blame the Braves and Wren I m sure. John grow up and be thankful that you had a great career, and that you and Tom are not struggling like the common people who have helped put money in your bank account.
jch
June 5th, 2009
9:59 am
MB, you and Smoltz don’t like each other because you’re so much alike. Both of you carry enormous grudges and emote like school girls at a sleepover party. If Smoltz took 4 hours to complain how long did it take for you to launch your retort? Who won that pool? You’re an Atlanta sports reporter and you avoided one of the greatest pitchers for the Braves since 1997?? Wow….
Michael Sousa
June 5th, 2009
9:59 am
Ndadome
Ted Striker
The Real Gumby
old fart
Mark,
These are the names of the people who like your writing style and Point Of View.
Amazing, isn’t it?? Are they real?
Average Joe
June 5th, 2009
9:59 am
Poor Babies! Welcome to the real world Smoltz and Glavine! Most of us out here are always rated on current performance and future potential.
Last years sales don’t mean squat! Get over yourself – there’s no cryin’
in baseball!
Toom
June 5th, 2009
10:00 am
My only issue with this is: why didn’t you write about Smoltz’s ’softness’ back when he was the issue? That would’ve helped us fans put things in perspective a little better.
bushwacker
June 5th, 2009
10:00 am
Bradley, you are a punk reporter that would not have written that about Smoltz if he were still here in town to read it.
I hope your feelings don’t get hurt when the peice of trash you work for goes out of business and you end up living with the whinos under the bridge on N druid hills rd by the Krystal
Dawg Fud
June 5th, 2009
10:00 am
I appreciate Smoltz’s zeal but as a fan i agree we ned to move on. i appreciate everything Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine did for our team.
there seems to be a double standard with Glavine (and I love Glavine). when he went to the Mets, he was doing what was best for him. Now the Braves are doing what’s best for the franschise and all of the sudden history and loyalty are paramount. i ain’t buying it.
George P. Burdell
June 5th, 2009
10:00 am
Mark:
Right on with this artice. I appreciate all both pitchers have provided to the team and the fans, but they are both trying to hang on to the glory days and tarnishing their image. Maddox is the only one of the future Hallers to handle himself in a dignified manner as he moved closer and finally did retire. The Smoltz decision has played out in a way the Braves feared it would. Were they supposed to be paying him $5 million and he hasn’t even thrown a pitch in a MLB game yet. For a .500 club, the critics would be howling by now. I respected the way Glavine and the Braves set up his possible comeback. Some money, not huge, and then a contingency if it worked out as all hoped it would. For Glavine to suddenly turn that back on the Braves who made a business decision, and I think the right one, is so sophomoric its hard to believe it comes from a millionaire several times over. For Smoltz sitting on his piles of Red Sox cash to even offer a comment does nothing but tarnish what once was a stellar image. I suggest they shut the hell up before they completely destroy what’s left of their reputations.
PMC
June 5th, 2009
10:00 am
For the record, the whole deal with the Mets in the first place was because Braves management shut the door in his face during the negociations. Since our town has so few media outlets relative to other large cities (namely one paper two sports radio stations and a small sports magazine that is afraid to play the role of the New York Post I’m looking at you Score ATL) we don’t get a lot of digging done and even our hardball questions don’t do much hammering on the boys at the top of the decision making pyramid.
Independent thinker
June 5th, 2009
10:00 am
Actually, contrary to what Smoltz and Glavine may think,the Braves (and fans) do recognize Glavine’s contributions…being so loyal he left for NY for just a few million (what’s a few million among friends, right?). His role as players’ rep during labor talks. I guess he was already counting that $1M for making the club and the subsequent checks. Both of these guys should be mature about it and realize they are old for playing the game, and be thankful they had the careers they did. Have some class and not be crass.
hotrod
June 5th, 2009
10:01 am
Both Smoltz and Glavine are spoiled jerks! Their crybaby comments about the organization ‘….forgetting all they’ve done for it’ is assine. What about the millions of dollars that organization and the fans have paid them, simply to use their God-given talents to work every fourth day for 7 months a year? Both of them should have been required to work in a coal mine for two or three years before ever being allowed to play baseball! Neither of them apparently understand that loyalty is a two way street. Good riddance on both counts.
Hamad Meander
June 5th, 2009
10:01 am
I am so glad to see that most Braves fans are on board with what this team is doing. This is not the Florida Marlins, whose team salary is so small I think the players are paid with Blockbuster gift cards. The Braves are making moves to make this team competitive enough to make the playoffs.
Think about this also – how many times has a division been won by a game or two. Think it’s worth having Glavine throw batting practice to another NL East team once or twice to prove he is done, and then lose the division by a game?
BravesFan
June 5th, 2009
10:01 am
I have to agree. Since Smoltz has left the Braves organization I have heard him over and over complain about the Braves and what they are doing. He seems more like a spoiled, mouthy brat then my kids do at times. Hes a professional and he should really be paying attention to his own team and leaving everyone else handle theirs.
If the Braves thought for one minute that Tom Glavine could still pitch in the Bigs then he would be here with Altanta making his start. I have to watch now and see what all the other scouts watching Glavine will say. How many offers will there be for a 43 year old starter throwing 80MPH fastballs and needing badly to hit the corners and get the calls.
Check back for updates to the Glavine Saga. To bad they just dont know when to leave the party.
Jack
June 5th, 2009
10:01 am
Mark,
You really do look petty and small- as does Smoltz.So many of you have VERY valid points on both sides. I just wish both sides would stop being so small and petty (Braves fans/former players/MB etc.)
When it all boils down-we will never see a pitching staff with as long a run of excellence as Maddux,Glavine and Smoltz were together.
I just wish Smoltz and Glavine would learn from Maddux.
Braves mgmt. and former players (not named Maddux) and MB need to
behave with a little class.
ND
June 5th, 2009
10:02 am
Maybe the Braves can take that million and get rid of the $2 tix increase they charge if you walk up to buy the day of a game. I mean WTF is that?
Mark
June 5th, 2009
10:03 am
Well said, Bradley. I always knew Tom was a crybaby, but Smoltz surprised me this year when he threw up such a fuss about not having his salary demands met for 2009. Here are two men with over 500 major league wins between them, one world championship, three Cy Young awards, and well over $200 MILLION made between them, and they get their feelings hurt when the Braves (the franchise that gave them the opportunity for all that) decide to move on when they are well into their 40s. We are in June and neither one of them have pitched in one major league game in 2009. What are we supposed to do, pay them what they think they are “owed” because of all those great years that happened 10-15 years ago? Loyalty is a two way street, and baseball is a business, the same business that made these guys multimillionaires and household names. I don’t feel sorry for either of them.
scott
June 5th, 2009
10:03 am
VERY well done, MB.
baseball is a business, and while i don’t agree with all Frank Wren’s moves, at the end of the day his job is tied to performance and he is doing what he thinks is best to make this team a winner. why people are crying over lack of loyalty to tom glavine of all people is beyond me (he left US to play for the METS! the METS!!).
i love john smoltz but he needs to STFU.
Daniel Simmons
June 5th, 2009
10:04 am
John Smoltzs is starting to remind me of that honery old man that plays checkers (because he is not pitching) and just describes how things used to be. I lost a lot of respect for him today