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
RobertNAtl
June 5th, 2009
6:34 pm
There was no “better” way for the Braves to handle the Glavine situation. If they had let him start Sunday, and he got hammered (which he would have), and then they released him, he would have bitched and moaned about not getting a fair chance because he only got one start (”After all I’ve done for this organization…..”) If they had let him pitch again after that, and again, and then released him, he would have talked about how his arm “was coming around” and how he is “getting comfortable on the mound” and just needed one more start to prove it, and HOW could they release him (”after all I’ve done for the organization”).
The fact is, the Braves were going to take a PR hit from some fans no matter how they handled it. Better that they take the PR hit now and at least not sacrifice any games in the process. The bottom line is, we have a better chance of winning with Hanson on the mound than Glavine, and that’s really all the decision should be about.
Mitchell
June 5th, 2009
6:43 pm
“Since didn’t want to talk with me, I mostly stopped writing about him… “
Come on Mark. You completely omited the personal pronoun. You intentionall omited it I say.
You really do have it out for him after all. Don’t you!
Mitchell
June 5th, 2009
6:43 pm
I just said “you” four hundred times.
I’m no Mark Bradley.
Mark Bradley
June 5th, 2009
6:55 pm
Personal pronoun added. And I’d personally like to thank Mitchell for noticing.
GT81
June 5th, 2009
7:34 pm
Mark B: I don’t want to sound strange here, it’s just that several years ago I couldn’t stand your writing and quit reading you, thinking you were shrill and pompous–but lately I think you’ve really matured as a writer, as it were, and I have enjoyed much of your recent work. You have tempered your intense–what is it?–ability to be bitingly judgmental, you have tempered that with a dose of creative distance and human consideration. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Joe
June 5th, 2009
7:40 pm
To Jurrjens4NLCY:
This is a column. That’s where opinions go. It’s not a news story.
Gloria
June 5th, 2009
8:50 pm
Mark, loved your article. I used to be a huge Tom and John fan, that was before the Tommy Johns surgeries and shoulder surgeries took away their ability to pitch and think. These guys sometimes think they are entitled to a place on the team because of the years they’ve played in the organization. I’m a fan and I am entitled to more than 1 championship during all of years you pitched in Atanta. You guys did a run for the money and you call the Braves cheap, I call you greedy Mr. Glavine and Mr. Smoltz. Prima Donas should be seen not heard. They should both teach at the Brett Farve school of professional atheletes who have paid far beyond their prime, make way for the young guns and retire, and will take money as long as it’s handed to them even if they can’t really play anymore. I know people who can’t feed their families, have nowhere to live because they’ve lost their home and their employers released them, so there is no end in sight. Clearly, neither of these guys fall into this category. These guys don’t recognize how offensive they are when they whine and want to be treatedlike victims. Please, please get over yourselves.
Gloria
June 5th, 2009
8:54 pm
Mark, loved your article. I used to be a huge Tom and John fan, that was before the Tommy Johns surgeries and shoulder surgeries took away their ability to pitch and think. These guys sometimes think they are entitled to a place on the team because of the years they’ve played in the organization. I’m a fan and I am entitled to more than 1 championship during all of years you pitched in Atanta. You guys did a run for the money and you call the Braves cheap, I call you greedy Mr. Glavine and Mr. Smoltz. Prima Donas should be seen not heard. They should both teach at the Brett Farve school of professional atheletes who have played far beyond their prime, make way for the young guns and retire, and will take money as long as it’s handed to them even if they can’t really play anymore. I know people who can’t feed their families, have nowhere to live because they’ve lost their home and their employers released them, so there is no end in sight. Clearly, neither of these guys fall into this category. These guys don’t recognize how offensive they are when they whine and want to be treated like victims. Please, please get over yourselves.
Reid Adair
June 5th, 2009
10:25 pm
Mark, I have no problem with John Smoltz holding a grudge against Frank Wren and the Atlanta Braves. They showed no faith in him whatsoever, and then Wren lied to the fans and the public by saying the Braves’ offer was similar to Boston’s when it wasn’t even close.
But, maybe not re-signing Smoltz saved him some hassle. At least he has a job right now, which is more than Tom Glavine can say after the way Wren and company screwed him over.
Chris
June 6th, 2009
12:13 am
Nice, Bradley! Way to make the story about you! Congratulations, you’re a jackass.
Suze
June 6th, 2009
1:35 am
That was a great column. Your coverage of this whole Glavine/Smoltz thing the past couple of days has been great. The two of them have been on their pedestal for too long; a little humility won’t hurt either of them.
scottbravesfan
June 6th, 2009
1:36 am
Smoltz is an idiot, hell of a pitcher, but not a very smart guy. He’s made stupid comments for years and now that the Braves had the gall not to offer him a 5 million dollar deal he’s going to cry about it. I’m sure all of the millions that he has made will dry his tears for him.
ser2007
June 6th, 2009
7:33 am
MB, Like Smoltz and Glavine you were much better years ago. Like the newspaper biz in general…now your just not relevant. At least Smoltz & Glavine are Hall of Famers…your just a washed up hack.
Dan Bock
June 6th, 2009
8:39 am
In these times of ecomomic stress with many out of work and 401 k’s becoming 201 K’s, comments by spoiled and overpaid atheletes like Smoltz and Glavine just don’t get it. They have played a boys game to make a living and have not grown up dispite thier old age.
Braves_Never_Win_Again
June 6th, 2009
9:55 am
Let’s see if I have this right:
1) Media schills in the team’s pocket to defend lousy decisions – check
2) Fanbase duped by media and team into believing whatever they are told – check
3) fanbase not attending games enough to allow team to keep the depth needed to win the 162 game marathon – check
Sounds like the begining of the end for a long period of excellence for a proud franchise.
Boston had 8 starting candidates BEFORE they signed JS. They signed him because they could and because they know it requires at least 8 ML ready arms to win it all. Had things in Atlanta mirrored things in Boston, we would still have that kind of depth and wouldn’t be hoping kids carry us to the playoffs. Wake up Bravesfan, demand more from the team and the media. Don’t accept hatchet jobs like this one as anything more than smoke and mirrors to deceive us from the real problems. MB, you owe us more, this was weak!
Libby
June 6th, 2009
1:27 pm
Frankly Mr. Bradley I think you are the one the is being petty. I think in this day and age that it’s remarkable that friends stand up for each other and even take pay cuts for each other. I wish we had alot more teams with such players as Smoltzs,Glaven,and Jones.
Barnes
June 6th, 2009
3:09 pm
I agree. After all the years, money and time waiting on injuries, Smoltz can’t seem to see baseball management for what they are. He is a whiner and has ruined his legacy here just as much as Glavine. I wish they didn’t say all of the things they have said. Give me a break. The Braves paid both of them a lot of money in their careers and they both leave for a few million more. Who is loyal? Not them. They both are old players who can’t seem to hear the truth. Be honest Smoltz and say you left because you didn’t think the Braves could win. Don’t whine about them not paying you what you are worth! You are over 40 and had major surgery – AGAIN.
Wanna win some games?
June 6th, 2009
8:53 pm
Bradley you called it and I agree. It’s business and their business is to win. It is Glavine’s job to rehab and train and well like the rest of the human race, when you are no longer needed, you just aren’t. I have always and will always be a Braves fan and will continue to be loyal to former Braves, but dang it I want to see them win and if it means not more Glavine well then so be it. Write on Bradley write on.
Brent
June 6th, 2009
11:22 pm
It says a lot about the state of the Braves these days when the most newsworthy stuff they can generate comes from the bungled handling of two legandary players who will be wearing their uniform when they are inducted to the baseball Hall Of Fame. The more we hear from/about Smoltie and Glavine, the more apparent the current team’s mediocrity becomes.
thejordan
June 6th, 2009
11:55 pm
So little Marky Bradley got his feewings hurt by John Smoltz TWELVE years ago and now gets his revenge. Grow up little Marky. Who cares if you have held a grudge for TWELVE years. I read the sports section to check out stories about athletes, not sportswriters who had their feewings hurt TWELVE years ago. The only reason you don’t carry over hurt feelings from the 70s is that they didn’t let women in locker rooms then.
Ken Stallings
June 7th, 2009
5:14 am
Two quick points…
John Smoltz said he had “special knowledge” to prove the Braves’ release of Glavine was entirely financial. That’s interesting, considering the decision was basically Frank Wren’s and John Schuerholtz’s, then it means soon as saying Tommy was released for performance reasons, one of them called up Smoltzie and contradicted it. Or perhaps it was Bobby Cox, or one of the scouts in Rome?
Think not!
Second, if one could etch it in stone that Tommy would win ten games for the Braves this season, anyone really think Wren & Co. would have said, “No thanks, we’ll keep the cool million!”
How many here really think ten games isn’t worth ten million dollars to the Braves? Hands? Anyone, Bueller? Bueller?
trixie joe
June 7th, 2009
10:32 am
Mr Smoltz shame on you and the comment you are suppose to be a role model. Mr Glavine you should know by now its business. You all of you pro players, are just just the biggest babies ever.Some one should let you know that ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!!!!!
Connie Lingous
June 7th, 2009
10:58 am
Mark, you’re better than this.
Brenda
June 8th, 2009
6:31 am
This is insane what is happening to our Braves. Had they kept Smoltz and GLavine, all games would have sold out & they would have finished 1-2 in Cy Young voting and we would have won another World Series. I will not let the fact that neither of them have pitched a single innning get in the way of my view. No one mentions that Glavine offered to pitch for the major league minimum to give something back to the fans of this city for all their devotion to him over the years(BECAUSE HE DIDNT). Also, no one cares to mention that Smoltz thinks homo marriage is the same as “marrying an animal”. Please join me in raising funds to raise a statue to these two legendary crybabies. Maybe we could have the statue of Tommy G drying his tears with $100 and the statue of Smoltz could show him throwing his wedding ring away with his right hand while preaching to us from a bible held in his left hand.
Bob
June 10th, 2009
12:56 pm
you’re not the story Bradley you rat. go on acting like you one-upped a hall of famer who was integral to the Braves success over the past 2 decades; maybe that will help with your ED and bevy of other mid-life crisis issues.
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Late To The Party
August 8th, 2009
4:44 am
I don’t know Smoltz well enough to have a personal opinion about him, but let me get this straight: A sports journalist, who’s job is to write about local sports, decides to ignore one of the biggest stars in local sports, because the local sports star, who’s job is to play sports, got mad at the sports writer. I guess you got him. You failed to do part of your job because your feelings were hurt. An AJC reader, who’s job it is to go to work and do something else so he can pay for his newspaper discovers that there are no longer any Smoltz stories in the AJC., so he cancels his subscription. You really showed him. Remember this when they announce the next rounds of curbacks at the AJC., Your personal feude with one of the men you are supposed to cover is just one more reason tor readers to simply walk away. Will the last man leaving be sure to lock the door?
Greg
August 9th, 2009
7:18 am
MB … It has to be tough to do what you do- write an unfavorable opinion about an athlete and then face them in the clubhouse. I have always enjoyed Smoltz as an athlete but was turned off by his departure from the Braves simply for the money. I thought the Red Sox were insane to guarantee 5 million for a guy coming off a surgery at age 42. I was watching the Sox-Yanks game Thursday night and bet my friend’s the Sox would dump him after the game as they couldn’t afford (with time running out in that division) to hope he’d suddenly restore himself to greatness. Glavine, too, split for the bucks because Lord knows, he must have needed them- abandoning the comfort of home for a few extra million. I work in radio and on several occasions, turned down bigger money to stay put after learning the hard way that the station- and my comfort zone there- was worth something that can’t be translated into dollars. It was a lesson I learned the hard way- leaving a station I’d spent 7 years with- making good money- and then left for a 3 year deal elsewhere in the same market (Miami). The bucks were great but I was miserable the whole time. My hard core fans were upset I’d abandoned by home base, and I did not enjoy the same level of success. I now work in Montgomery, AL and have an idyllic situation in all aspects. I make good money, have built a strong listener base, and have a place in the community. Twice now, I have turned down six figures to go back to South Florida, which has become a lousy place to live. My bet is that Smoltz hasn’t enjoyed one dime of that Boston money. I could be making more right now, but for what? I have it made in every respect that matters, and my gut tells me you’d think or react in a similar way (assuming you’re happy in Atlanta). Anyway, thanks for a great Sunday morning read!
Braindawg
August 9th, 2009
3:14 pm
Wasnt Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth rude and unpleasent? Yet their HOF’ers! Maybe thats just how they get an edge, Smoltz, who is one of my Favorite Braves, is HOF material. Im just saying…..That is all! Later!
HAL
August 10th, 2009
5:10 pm
theres one more icon with a huge contract whos heading in the same direction as glvs and smiltzy at breakneck speed i cant wait for the reaction when hes told his once a month batting service isent needed any more
Roy Hobbs
August 10th, 2009
5:53 pm
Wow, childish much? Everyone hates to have thier feelings hurt. I would think a professional journalist would understand that and continue to treat the athlete with professionalism and respect. See, thats the trick. You REPORT on whats happening. If you are reporting on what they are doing, and not creating news to continue receiving a paycheck, they will understand that the good and the bad are the price of honest reporting.
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