Smoltz won’t start against the Braves, and I am … not sad
I’ve been steeling myself since January. John Smoltz would make his triumphant return to the big leagues at Turner Field against the Braves in June and I’d be there to cover it and he, being John Smoltz, would throw a no-hitter and force me to write something nice about him and in the process grind my teeth to nubs. I’d even embarked on a course of meditation and aromatherapy to help me prepare for the moment.
And now comes word from Boston: No Smoltzie in the A-T-L.
And I say, “Whew.”
I’d borne my burden in silence for a dozen years, but two weeks ago I was moved to confess: I don’t much like Smoltz, and he really doesn’t like me. When duty called, I put aside my feelings and afforded him his due — I was there in 2007 the night he beat Greg Maddux and the Padres and there again 15 days later when he beat Tom Glavine and the Mets for his 200th victory — but those came when he was pitching for the Atlanta Braves. And I do cover sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But now he’s with the Red Sox, and the thought of him returning to town and beating the Braves and then sneering at me afterward was, shall we say, not my idea of a night at the opera. Or a day at the races. Or any other Marx Bros. movie you care to name.
So now, barring a rainout or a dastardly bait-and-switch by Boston manager Terry Francona, I’m off the hook. I can stop breathing deeply and lighting scented candles. Turner Field just became a Smoltz-free zone.
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86 comments Add your comment
Gman
June 16th, 2009
7:35 pm
Smoltz is an ass
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
7:36 pm
Gee, GMan. And he always spoke so highly of you.
mista ashraf
June 16th, 2009
7:40 pm
Interesting perspective, Mark. I’ve never heard anything bad about the guy but there’s always two sides to everyone…
GoldenDawg
June 16th, 2009
7:45 pm
Since you are unburdening yourself re Smoltz, who else in the present or past Atlanta sports scene do dislike? Surely Smoltz is not in a league of his own.
I still enjoy the irony of the self-described turned-on Christian suing his neighbor-whose garage cast shadows on Smoltz pool.
hmmm
June 16th, 2009
7:48 pm
Who cares whether you like him or not? Your job isn’t to like or dislike anyone – it is to cover sports. Jesus get over yourself.
Diane Smoltz
June 16th, 2009
7:53 pm
Trust me, John is no prince. Can’t elaborate as my silence regarding his misdeeds has been bought and paid for.
BehindEnemyLines
June 16th, 2009
7:56 pm
I’m relieved about it myself actually but mostly because there’s at least some theoretical chance that the Braves might win against him.
EditorGreg
June 16th, 2009
8:01 pm
Interesting comments. Care to get specific as to why you don’t like him? I ask because I’ve seen my attitude toward Smoltz go from strong admiration to something like annoyance over the past few years.
farmer
June 16th, 2009
8:06 pm
actually, I would kinda like him to pitch so we could put it to him and shut his mouth. I used to be his biggest fan, but now he is dead to me as a person and a ballplayer.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
8:07 pm
Here you go, Greg. It’s linked above, and now it’s linked here.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
8:12 pm
Guys I once liked but came to dislike: Deion Sanders, Dan Henning.
Guy with whom I’ve kind of reconciled: Mike Fratello.
Guys I never liked one bit: Jerry Glanville, Kenny Lofton.
Guys I tried to like but failed: Jim Mora, Danny Manning, Lonnie Smith.
Sonny Clusters
June 16th, 2009
8:15 pm
Mark, do you like Jeff Francoeur? Me and him played some ball together in high school.
TB
June 16th, 2009
8:19 pm
Being a Red Sox fan I’d be pulling for the Red Sox except when Smoltz would be pitching, once he’s out of the game I’ll pull for the Red Sox. I’m still predicting he is forced to retire before the end of the season, as he should have already done. The team needs a pitcher who can pitch for their team to win, not because their ego says pitch until you can’t. I thought he wanted to go out on a high note, he’s had the chance to do so but, continues to keep going out there as long as someone will pay him.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
8:24 pm
I like Jeff Francoeur a lot.
Eagle83
June 16th, 2009
8:33 pm
Maybe you should start hating on Jeff and he will start hitting.
Shane
June 16th, 2009
8:41 pm
Great article Mark. Right on the button again. The folks who wear their Smoltz underoos to bed will never get it but just because you are a great pitcher doesnt make you a great guy. Smoltz is proof of that.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
8:43 pm
Good thinking, Eagle. Wish I’d thought of it myself.
And thanks, Shane. And I should stipulate that a lot of other people in my profession really like John Smoltz. I’m the oddball. (Insert punch line here.)
GoldenDawg
June 16th, 2009
8:45 pm
Your list is quite interesting. It’s notable that of the 4 coaches mentioned, 3 are x-Falcons. OK, how about some others-scale of 1 to 10-or ranked 1-10:
Stan Kasten
Hubie Brown
Nique
Pascual Perez
Eddie Haas
Moses Malone
Bob Horner
Hank Aaron
Dave Justice
Isaiah Rider
ronald
June 16th, 2009
8:46 pm
who cares he’s like any former brave who’s made millions and now choses to bash the team for not resigning the ungrateful tommy g. who abandoned the team over a small difference in salary the mets offered.tommy g as well as smoltz need to learn this is business and not a charity organization.
Jt
June 16th, 2009
8:49 pm
I loved Smoltz (when he wore a Braves uniform). But he has a HUGE ego (some would say you have to in order to be a professional baseball player) and he needs to be stroked. The Red Sox stroked his ego and gave him a contract they could afford. The Braves could not afford to either wait for him to become healthy and could not go into this season with the uncertainty of his health. He took the money and ran. And then has spoken badly of the organization that paid him a lot of money over a lot of years. He could have taken a higher road. I am weary of hearing how certain athletes have “done a lot for an organization”. Bullsh#*! The player and the organization have had a business relationship in which both have mutually benefited.
Bat Masterson
June 16th, 2009
9:00 pm
I can tell you Stan Kasten is a world class pr$ck, an arrogant a$$.
Barks Madley
June 16th, 2009
9:02 pm
New category for you MB.
Guys I disliked, but have grown to like. I just officially added you to that particular category list of mine.
Now. Enough “guys I like” talk. It’s starting to get weird in here.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
9:03 pm
I’m not going to give away every secret here, but I will say that Dominique Wilkins and David Justice were among my favorites, and I always enjoyed being around Moses Malone. And Stan Kasten had — and has — considerable entertainment value. And I once got Hank Aaron’s autograph at old Crosley Field and remain grateful to this day.
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
9:03 pm
Thanks, Barks. I’m indebted.
JD
June 16th, 2009
9:06 pm
I gotta say, I’m glad to see this, Mark. I missed your previous Smoltz column (just read it), but for the most part, I haven’t seen or heard any major Atlanta sportswriter be too critical of Smoltz. When he was in Atlanta, I thought he was a good guy and great player. But his image has really taken a trip down the crapshoot. He’s acting childish and arrogant. He’s acting like a complete baby and taking any jab at the Braves that he can. They’ve wronged the mighty Smoltz. I mean, why would a team trying to improve NOT want offer a couple 40 year olds coming of arm surgeries millions of dollars?
Look at Trevor Hoffman – he was dumped by the Padres and chose to take out an ad in the newspaper thanking the Padres and the fans for all the great years. Although I suppose Smoltz is still making the AJC…
keep up the great work, Mark. Your several blogs a day are very entertaining and very much appreciated (they help time to pass at work too, but don’t tell my boss)
Bravedawg
June 16th, 2009
9:06 pm
It’s funny how everyone forgets a few years back, when Smoltz compared homosexuality to bestiality. Stupidity aside, he’s got wayyyy too many sour grapes for me to give a crap. The guy needs to just let it go.
GoldenDawg
June 16th, 2009
9:11 pm
That’s how he appears Bat – beyond arrogant. Without the 3 pitchers (aforementioned Smoltz included) he isn’t likely as savvy as he appears. Loved the Hawks of the late 80’s early 90’s but the Babcock years were beyond brutal. His stewardship of the Nats hasn’t exactly been the stuff of legends either (the Expos were arguably the best organization in baseball-churning out future star after future star). Give the guy credit for riding a hot streak and parlaying it into progressively better gigs.
It’s always good to hear from those that see these guys when they aren’t “on” for public consumption.
Bry22
June 16th, 2009
9:13 pm
SCREW SMOLTS. HE NEEDS TO SHUT HIS IGNORANT MOUTH!
Mark Bradley
June 16th, 2009
9:13 pm
You’re welcome, JD. And mum’s the word, as they say.
tip
June 16th, 2009
9:24 pm
Very interesting. I always liked his warrior attitude when it came to pitching but he really showed his true colors by leaving the Braves and continually ripping them since leaving. Probably a jerk all along. He will never get the love or be on the same status level that Dale Murphy receives from Braves faithfull.
Beautiful Monte
June 16th, 2009
9:26 pm
So, Bradley doesn’t like Smoltz, but he has “great affection” for the piece of human garbage that calls itself Michael Vick.
If I were a cynic, I’d think that Mr. Bradley is trying to ingratiate himself with Atlanta’s prevailing demographic. Either that, or Bradley really is the sports department’s version of Jay Bookman. I’m not sure which is worse.
At any rate, somewhere, Terence Moore is smiling. (He’s also re-counting the number of black players on the Braves’ roster).
LSU
June 16th, 2009
9:34 pm
Good read MB…I’m giving you an attaboy for this blog (which means absolutely nothing coming from me, because I’m a nobody)…..Smoltz did some amazingly great things as a Brave pitcher, very sorry to hear that he’s an in real life Richard.
hmmm
June 16th, 2009
9:40 pm
do you like puppies, small children, or bright sunny days ….? Irrelevant blather as usual ….. Do you get paid or are you a British Airways employee?
Gman
June 16th, 2009
9:48 pm
Monte-
10.2% of MLB players are African-American. You should be more circumspect before making your insinuations. Not exactly a big Atlanta conspiracy.
My Bad Wrist
June 16th, 2009
9:49 pm
Interesting that someone mentioned Bob Horner above. Not a name you hear often, even though he did get some love for keeping Chump Summers from pounding Magellan Perez into a chunky pulp. I remember being late for work the night Murph was traded. Horner kvetched a little on either side of his Japanese vacation, but not much from he or Murphy since, and they probably had as much reason to carp as Smoltz thinks he does.
BDubs
June 16th, 2009
10:02 pm
Mark –
On the “tried to like but failed”… Do you mean Jim Mora, Jr. or Sr.???
I am tempted to assume Jr., but everyone knows what happens when you “assume” something…
Ken
June 16th, 2009
10:11 pm
John Smoltz could save orphans from a burning building and you’d still be pulling your best Max Mercy impression in trying to paint him as the consummate creep.
Shame such a talented sportswriter like you has to resort to badmouthing a future HOFer who has done so much for this community, just to get readers.
I thought you were better than that.
Rasheed Willis
June 16th, 2009
10:17 pm
Yo Beautifoo Monte…Don’t be dissprespecting Vick. I’ts nice to see a White Atlanta sportswriter takin Vicks side. I guess all honkeys aint same afterall. Keep up good writin Bradley cause we in Bankhead love you. No what Im sayin. OBAMA is my black presdent!!
William
June 16th, 2009
10:23 pm
Ken…do you love everyone? Why should Mr. Bradley have to love Smoltz? I bet you hate someone who a lot of people love. Some people hated Ghandi too. LOL Please get over your dismay with Mr. Bradley and show him some love.
La Jolla Dawg
June 16th, 2009
10:37 pm
Lonnie Smith? Really?
Melissa
June 16th, 2009
10:40 pm
Wow, I’ve gotta say, it sounds like there are 2 parties being stubborn and holding grudges here. And maybe one party got jealous that the other party sounded his opinion first. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong; I just think it’s interesting that baseball players aren’t allowed to be emotional about the game they love.
dobearsbare
June 16th, 2009
10:41 pm
Let’s face it, Mark, you’re an easy target. If he’s willing to call out the best GM in the game, why should a sports columnist be any different?
Here’s another thought: Smoltz is a Michigan State fan, which carries with it a built-in inferiority complex. Which carries with it sometimes childish behavior. I believe the guy has his heart in the right place — there are too many stories of good works for this not to be true — but Smoltz’ ego is second only to Curt Schilling’s. Maybe that’s what has made him great.
Mike
June 16th, 2009
10:45 pm
Gotta like Lonnie for his personality ’cause it’s sure not for his base running!
jermaine's dye
June 16th, 2009
10:50 pm
I know we only knew each other briefly, but did you like me?
brewdawg
June 16th, 2009
10:50 pm
John Smoltz attended the same church as my late grandmother in Marietta, and she always spoke highly of him. Her word is more than enough for me.
I was flummoxed at Bradley’s dismissal of Smoltz’s departure, but his aforementioned article cleared it up for me. Sometimes two people just don’t like eachother.
Rasheed Willis
June 16th, 2009
10:59 pm
My Old Granny Willis’s cousin used to do work for Smolts family. She said he was a nice white man.
OBAMA is my black presidents!!
Ramdawg
June 16th, 2009
11:05 pm
Ok, now I can say it I met Smoltz at a Lunch and baseball signing at Stats sportsbar Downtown. He was one cocky S.O.B. but I gues you have to be to be a MLB pitcher.But I have also met Maddox on several occassions and he was cool and as nice as could be, he and Justice will always be my favorite Braves.
Ramdawg
June 16th, 2009
11:12 pm
Met Smoltz and he was a cocky SOB, Met Maddox he was cool as could be. The Braves are run by o “corporation” now no one should be surprised by the business way they let their stars and legends go, it ha never been the same since Ted stopped owning the team.
glorydays
June 16th, 2009
11:16 pm
Mark, who would you say has the bigger ego, you or Smoltzie?
Sonny Clusters
June 16th, 2009
11:22 pm
I think the best biscuits are at the Waffle House. Wait, wrong blog.
chas
June 16th, 2009
11:28 pm
Yep, Smoltz is water under the bridge at this point. It is hard to concentrate on someone like Smoltz when I am watching the trainwreck named Frenchy every night. He cannot even strike out when you want him to. Instead he grounds into an inning killing, bases loaded double play. Nice work Frenchy…keep it up my boy.
Sonny Clusters
June 16th, 2009
11:30 pm
We never called him Frenchy when we was boys playing ball together in school. Back then we called him Stinky because he didn’t change socks very much. Some fans call him Stinky now because he dont play real good most nights.
john d
June 16th, 2009
11:32 pm
I have lost all respect for Smoltz. He has trashed the only organization he worked for repeatedly. I always thought he had more class than that! Does he think he”s bigger than Aaron, Matthews, Murphy,or Niekro none of which retired as a Brave? I wish he would keep his mouth shut and move on.
Mitch C
June 16th, 2009
11:39 pm
Sports writers and players all have certain allegiences and adversaries. This isnt anything new. It’s a free country. Mark and Smoltz can dislike each other from now until doomsday.
Mark, I’ve always liked you, and I wasn’t going to bring this up, but, I know you’ve been with the AJC for a long time. Do you remember in the fall of 1987, after Phil Niekro was released by Toronto, and then owner Ted Turner was going to bring him back to pitch a “farewell game”? Phil states in his book “The Niekro Files”, his autobiographical book consisting of letters to his brother from that season, that, while he didn’t know you, you ripped the idea of Turner bringing him back to pitch the farewell game, saying it would be nothing but a circus to bring people into then empty Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Phil said that your written words weighed heavily on him for a while, and that he wasnt going to pitch, but changed his mind, and basically thought “Bradley can think what he wants, but I’m going to pitch anyway, to heck with it”.
Not to bring up anything old or bad from 20 years ago, but I’m now wondering if you have talked to Niekro since, and what your view of him is now, since you posted your view of Smoltz, and others.
Mitch
Mitch C
June 16th, 2009
11:54 pm
One comment about the topic at hand.
I’m not sad that Smoltz wont pitch against the Braves, either. I dont have the same anger toward him that I did toward Tommy Glavine when Glavine left for the Mets, because the situation was different. That having been said, I’m not looking forward to Smoltz pitching against the Braves, anywhere.
The only other major Atlanta baseball icon who left town, and came back to play against the Braves was Dale Murphy. Bobby traded him, and then he played against us with the Phillies. When Ted released Phil Niekro, he thankfully went to other league, so did Henry Aaron when he went to the Brewers. Back in the pre interleague play days, we didnt have to worry about guys who went to the other league, playing against us.
Smoltz may pitch against us at some point. I’ll watch, and I’m not looking forward to it. Allegiances or not, the guy was one of the greatest pitchers in Braves history, and was here for one of the longest tenures. I dont think it is ever appetizing to see someone like that come back to play against their former team. I never got used to seeing Tom Glavine in a Mets uniform, even though he was there for five years.
Mitch
Adam
June 17th, 2009
1:20 am
Who cares if you like him or not?
He’s someone who changed the culture not only for the Braves, but helped eliminate the LOSERVILLE image with all the sports teams. There’s not a pitcher during my lifetime — nearly 50 years — who I’d rather give the ball to in a big game — not ONE! Huevos of steel.
And by the way, if he was to come in and dominate the Braves he’d join such prestigious hurlers as Jeff Suppan and Paul Maholm. It’s not hard for any average pitcher to dominate this offense.
scottbravesfan
June 17th, 2009
1:30 am
I dislike Lonnie Smith because he can’t run the freakin bases properly.
Also you guys forgot that Warren Spahn and now Greg Maddux did not retire as Braves either and both are going to be in the hall of fame as Braves. I guess Glavine actually did retire as a Brave so that’s cool because no other team is going to pick him up.
Mitch C
June 17th, 2009
5:43 am
scott, I dont remember the situation of why Spahn didnt retire a Brave, as that was before my time. I believe he pitched his last game with the Mets. As for Greg Maddux: Greg won 16 games in the 2003 season, and John Scherholtz didnt even offer him a contract, due to the payroll cuts back then.
I agree with you, scott that Glavine isnt going to be picked up by anyone. That makes me wonder when he’s eligible for the Hall Of Fame. I know one has to be retired for at least five years, to be on their first ballot. Maddux is eligible to go in in 2014. Glavine never pitched in the big leagues this year, but yet was in spring training. He probably has to wait until 2015 to appear on the ballot, but I’m not 100% sure how the rules work. I do remember that Tom Seaver last pitched in the big leagues in 1986, and was in spring training in 1987 with the Mets, and got into the Hall in 1992, because he never actually pitched for the Mets that year. That would make me think that Glavine is eligible in 2014.
Mitch
BravesFan79
June 17th, 2009
6:45 am
Smoltz is still my favorite big game pitcher EVER!! Cant wait to see him pitch in the WS!
Mr Bradley this seems mighty trivial and petty. The REAL scumbags yall should be coming down on are the guys spreading diseases like Herpes, getting people shot, and spreading fatherless kids around like Travis Henry, Elijah Dukes, Lastings Millidge, PacMan. But it would be “racist” to do that huh Bradley because its a certain demographic!
Your gonna tell me i should put Smoltz on my “most hated list” like so many other idiots here have done, forgetting how many times he dissed the Yankees to stay with the Braves for less $$? Because why? because he rightly criticized the Braves for not making him a decent offer when we all know he was still one of best in the game just last season?
And he was right for standing up for Glavine, even if it was in the Braves best interest. Its what friends do! Fans (or so called fans) shouldn’t bash the man that pitched his heart and soul and stayed loyal to our team for so long!
Over what?? Did he shoot someone at a night club? Did he go by the alias “Ron Mexico” to hide his Herpes?? Did he slam dogs against a tree and sacrifice family pets?? Does he have 11 kids with 11 different women? Did he ever beat multiple women and they brag about it on a rap album??
All you fans should be ashamed of yourselves for bashing Smoltz. Wheres the bashing of the true scumbags? or do you not have to the balls to call them out because your scarred to be called a “racist”!??
Where have you gone jim Bob Cooter ?
June 17th, 2009
7:06 am
Have to wonder ,with all of the like/dislike talk and the last couple of poison pen pieces on Smoltz and Glavine:
1) Can you be trusted to be objective ? Do players that you “like” buy your favor with “access” ?
2)Why now ,after the glory years are in way in the rearview mirror ? Is this like the presidential popularity sweepstakes , where the politics of the moment are the be all -end all ?
3) Where is the news value here ? Smoltz and Glavine are gone. They will only don a Braves uniform again when they are inducted into the HOF,Why are we wasting time with a schoolyard shouting match?
The above are questions that your editor (if she/he has not been laid off) should be asking.
Marc
June 17th, 2009
7:18 am
All I had to read was “I don’t like Smoltz” and “I like Francoeur a lot”. Srsly.
Charlie
June 17th, 2009
7:23 am
I don’t know John Smoltz, as a person, only as a baseball player. As a Braves player, he was terrific. He could be counted on to do the job. Great competitor. I’m sorry that he’s in Boston. The current Braves management is a group of clowns (at best), and liars (at worst). Frank Wren’s decision-making has been unbelievibly lousy. The product that the Braves put on the field is second rate, in all aspects of the game. With the economy as it is, poor Braves performance, and over-priced tickets, the Braves are trying to come up with ideas to bring the fans back to the ballpark. The Braves are a mediocre franchise now. They will spend 2009 dwelling with the Washington Nationals at the bottom of the East. It is where they belong. That is where their skill level is…at the bottom. They are what they are…a team lacking in skills, in an organization without integrity or foresight. Spin it they will, (again) they are what they are.
Previous Smoltz Fan
June 17th, 2009
7:23 am
It seems like Smoltz and Glavine pitched here for a quarter of a century. During their tenior, they both had arm problems. The Braves went through surgery and recouperation with them. They also sat through Hampton’s woes. The Braves didn’t walk out on them. Actually, Glavine walked on the Braves. The older the pitcher the more likely for problems. Some times it just becomes time to retire and not Farve on.
Smoltz plays for another tem now. He needs to move on and worry about them not the Braves.
And Maddox has and always will be my favorite.
Icfraud
June 17th, 2009
7:53 am
Good discussion. Sports is a relief from reality and with the number of people in foreclosure,job loss, not sure of how to pay their mortgage or their kids education, what ever a millionaire pitcher says at this point about his hurt feelings is rather pointless.
I am not in any of these situations right now but have been in them and find myself eternally grateful for what I have now and hope to help others.
Maybe John needs to read the finacial sections of the newspapers a little bit more and the sports pages a little less…
LSU
June 17th, 2009
8:15 am
The Braves scored 2 runs in a loss to the Reds last night, WOW!!! This team is a major fail…Smoltz is crazy for not pitching against his sorry ass ex-team, he’s almost guaranteed victory….And yet, the same old losers are in the lineup game after game for the Braves.
This team is one big boring unfunny joke……Hey Braves, good look with those home game ticket sales.
Skeezix
June 17th, 2009
8:57 am
Smoltz is one of my all time favorite Braves. I certainly don’t know John personally, but I know that Skip Cary thought a lot of John…that’s enough for me, as I thought the world of Skip. I do know that the Braves are in sore need of someone with John’s heart and competitive drive.
Chopper
June 17th, 2009
9:13 am
Wouldn’t you like to see Smoltz get pounded by the Braves, though? I remember being at the Ted and watching Tom Glavine pitch against the Braves for the first time and he got pounded. It was great. Greg Maddux never really fared well against us either after he left. Wouldn’t you love to see Smoltz last 2 1/3 innings against the Braves? Think about the story you could write!
LSU
June 17th, 2009
9:15 am
Let’s hope that the Braves become sellers real soon, but more importantly lets hope that some teams will actually think there’s value in some of these losers that impersonate MLB players.
It’s pretty obvious that Bobby Cox has lost control of this team. If he really cared about the best interest of the Braves, than he needs to step down immediately for the good of the team..John Schuerholz needs to have Frank Wren on an extremely short leash.
LSU
June 17th, 2009
9:20 am
Chopper,
As far as Smoltz getting pounded by the Braves, does it really even matter at this point? Plus, how on earth are the Braves supposed to pound an opposing pitcher with their current players?
sportsmandh
June 17th, 2009
9:26 am
Mark,
Sorry, usually like your stuff. But this one is very self serving, and what does it really have to do with the Braves? A waste of space in my humble opinion, take it for what it’s worth.
ClemsonTigerBravesFan
June 17th, 2009
9:29 am
The Braves have more important things to worry about right now. The main problem I have had with Cox and Wren and this orginization is they are almost too loyal to players when they are not producing. I love Glavine and Smoltz but if they wanted to stay in Atlanta at their age they should have agreed to do it for little money because it was too much of a risk. Last year starting pitching was terrible and it was because of Smoltz and Glavine not being able to pitch after being counted on.
Now we have guys like Francouer and Johnson who can’t even hit big league pitching that we are crossing our fingers hoping they get better when they need to be released.
Former Smoltz Fan
June 17th, 2009
9:30 am
This team has no offense. Smoltz would have beaten them with one hand tied behind his back. And I would have been in tears the whole game. : (
Chopper
June 17th, 2009
9:32 am
LSU,
First of all, GO DAWGS! Secondly, I don’t think Bobby has lost control of this team. It may be time for him to retire, but ask any Braves player and they would tell you that they would give their life for Bobby Cox and love to play for him. And thirdly, the Braves may not score 10 runs on him, but I just don’t see Smoltz shutting down the Braves lineup.
Jamaaliver
June 17th, 2009
9:37 am
Mark,
Dont you think it’s the least bit unprofessional and a conflict of interest for a journalist to publicly express personal feelings for individuals who are still a current part of the sports landscape? It comes across as unprofessional and even a little petty to continuously harp on your dislike for an active player. Particularly when we know he will be bound to this city and this paper when his playing days are over and he’s inducted into the HOF as a Brave.
Whatever happened to unbiased journalism?
Mark Bradley
June 17th, 2009
9:52 am
A point, if I may: I wrote about John Smoltz over the entirety of his career as a Brave — I covered his first start in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium; Kevin Mitchell hit a homer to beat him — and I daresay you wouldn’t have known I didn’t much like him as a guy until two weeks ago when I told you. I try like heck to be fair to everyone, even to those with whom I’m not on the best of terms. And when you get paid to have an opinion, there will always be some of those.
Another point: I think what I wrote above might well have transpired if Smoltz pitched against these Braves — a no-hitter.
P Rose
June 17th, 2009
10:30 am
You Won’t See Me
by John Smoltz
When they call me up
I’ll act enraged
I’m not smart enough
To act my age
I’ll come back sometime
But now I’ll only whine
Sittin’ on the pine
And you won’t see me
(You won’t see me)
I don’t know why you
Would hurt my pride
But I can’t see through
These tears I’ve cried
I don’t want to play
I can’t pitch anyway
So I’ll just turn away
And you won’t see me
(You won’t see me)
Time after time
We will lose when I am pitchin’
I wouldn’t mind
If I threw like I was bitchin’
Though my head is huge
It’s filled with fears
Since 2002
It feels like years
Yes, it seems so long
Since my arm was strong
And I just can’t go on
And you won’t see me
(You won’t see me)
Time after time
I will feel my elbow twitchin’
That’s why I signed
To be paid paid when I’m not pitchin’
Though my eyes are blue
They’re filled with tears
Since my arm was new
It feels like years
Yes, it seems so long
Since my game was on
Self-respect is gone
And you won’t see me
(You won’t see me)
LSU
June 17th, 2009
11:55 am
Chopper,
I’ll bet it’s brutal to be a “We’ll never win a NC like LSU has done twice in the past few years” DAWGS fan, along with being a Braves fan too….LOL
The Braves players may love being on a Bobby Cox managed team, but that doesn’t translate into playing hard, playing smart & winning games, obviously!!! It’s time for Bobby to step down.
Mark,
I didn’t know you had a dislike of Smoltz until after he left…These players are in the public eye, and they’re aware of that..When Smoltz left the Braves, his childish behavior of the past becomes fair game and should not to be protected from any of the AJC staff any longer….Some of these posters are way too sensitive.
Kevin McGlinchy
June 17th, 2009
11:55 am
Mark, thanks for the up-front thoughts and opinions on Smoltz.
I’m curious: correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like you’ve written before that Glavine had a good reason for being upset at the Braves in 2002 when he left for the Mets. Anything you can reveal about that? That event is what pretty much ruined my childhood admiration of the man, and made his 2008 homecoming a non-event in my mind…
Ken
June 17th, 2009
12:56 pm
Mark,
I dislike a lot of people. I just don’t write about it in a media outlet that is read by thousands of people.
If you are so fair and objective, what’s the need to write about who you like/dislike? Just report on the game, and leave the rest to the paparazzi.
Chopper
June 17th, 2009
1:16 pm
LSU,
It sure was fun watching the Dawgs CRUSH LSU last year in Death Valley. This year, I look forward to watching LSU’s whipping take place in Athens.
slick
June 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
Ken,
Bradley doesn’t report the news. He writes editorials. Specifically, he gets paid (probably very well) to give his opinion and supporting argument. Sometimes I agree with the guy, but mainly he pisses me off. Either way, curiosity compels me to keep reading. Besides, as he already pointed out, none of us readers would have known had he not told us all. Evidently, for years he’s kept his silence – something I desperately wish Smoltz would do now.
Mark Bradley
June 17th, 2009
2:54 pm
Thanks, Slick.
(Deep down, I’ve always wanted to say, “Thanks, Slick.” And now I have.)
Mark Bradley
June 17th, 2009
2:56 pm
And thanks again to P Rose. Yet another example of Lennon-McCartney being timeless.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 17th, 2009
5:50 pm
Once upon a time in passing I was acquainted with Jerry Glanville. He’s not the kind of guy I’d ever be buddy, buddy with but he did help a friend of mine’s son get into the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, so I can overlook some of his faults.
Key Questions to Ask When You Fail « Masterpiece Life
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5:11 pm
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