Now I’m in for it: John Smoltz, United States Congressman?
Well, there go any aspirations I had — not that I had many — of having a real “in” with someone in power in our nation’s capital. Because John Smoltz and I, as I’ve noted before, have been on the outs since 1997.
The AJC’s political insider Jim Galloway is reporting that some Republicans are interested in drafting my favorite pitcher to run for the House seat John Linder announced Saturday he’ll be leaving. I don’t live in the Seventh Congressional District, so I guess even if Smoltz got elected he couldn’t exert too much influence over, say, my subdivision. But you never know. Smoltz has a way of getting what he wants, and he’d have one bully pulpit at his disposal.
And really, would it be a huge jump from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other? Today he’s Citizen Smoltz. Come November, he could be Congressman Smoltz. From there, who knows? Governor Smoltz? Senator Smoltz? President Smoltz?
From pitching against the White Sox — which he has done, if only twice — to living in the White House. Wouldn’t that be something?
According to my esteemed colleague Mr. Galloway, Smoltz has been “paying down some dues in several Republican contests in Georgia over the past two years.” He hasn’t run for anything, but that mightn’t be what the R’s — in savvy political circles, Republicans are known as the R’s — need. He has a famous name. He’d be able to raise money because, let’s face it, who (other than me) wouldn’t love to speak with John Smoltz? And he’s pretty clearly a conservative.
Full disclosure: There’s a Hall of Fame pitcher who’s an elected member of Congress who also happens to be a friend of my mom’s. He’s Jim Bunning, the Senator from Kentucky. (My mom, I should state, was heavy into Republican state politics.) So ordinarily I’d think, “Smoltz hates me, but Sen. Bunning likes my mother, so maybe they’d cancel each other out if a certain someone, say, ever tried to enact a law that would ban a certain Atlanta scribe from writing about sports.”
No such luck. Sen. Bunning is likewise retiring, which would render me friendless-by-proxy in D.C. But I did once sit next to Ralph Reed on the plane back from Phoenix after Game 7 of the 2001 World Series — the Republican power broker had been to the game, and I’d covered it — and he and I had a nice long talk. So maybe he’d put in a word for me.
But that still wouldn’t be enough. It’s said that politics make strange bedfellows. There’s be no bed so strange, I’d venture, as to accommodate John Andrew Smoltz and Mark Andrew Bradley. If No. 29 runs and wins, I’m in real trouble. He’d be working in the U.S. Capitol, and my political capital would be down to zero.
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142 comments Add your comment
mn possum
February 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
first
Vino Fino
February 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
Mark, I have to say I’m a little dissapointed that you continue to use your own bully pulpit to drag out this grudge you have with John Smoltz. Not only is it thoroughly unprofessional, but it’s a bit distasteful as well. I don’t believe that Smoltz goes around bad mouthing you on a regular basis. Seem like as a journalist you should let it go. He’s one of the most beloved sports figures in Atlanta history- no he’s not perfect, but he’s a lot more good than he is bad.
mn possum
February 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
I’d like to thank the academy… and report that Thomas Pynchon is overrated.
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It is an Irish name.
February 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
Go for it Smoltzie. Politics is just as sleezy and corrupt as baseball and both Commissioner Selig and President Obama are both raging idiots.
Mark Bradley
February 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
mn possum, I have to acknowledge that Mr. Pynchon’s latest left me cold. But kudos to you for being first.
38YearBravesFan
February 27th, 2010
8:03 pm
Jim Bunning did it, Steve Largent did it, why not Smoltz??
The Braves choke again
February 27th, 2010
8:05 pm
Just what we need…another petty Republican in congress.
Benjamin
February 27th, 2010
8:05 pm
LOL
Bradley, you and Smoltzie need to have dinner one night to hammer out your issues, man. Ever thought about making the overture?
Mark Bradley
February 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
No, Benjamin. I haven’t. Nobody wants to have dinner with me.
Benjamin
February 27th, 2010
8:12 pm
I doubt that, man.
Good article, as per the usual. Keep ‘em coming.
Biff Pocoroba
February 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
Mark, Tech won today and you write an article about John Smoltz? If Paul Hewitt’s friend that still reads the paper lets him know about this, he is going to have to have another whine session and call you out. You should have written an article about how big this win was because BC had won two games in a row even though they are at the bottom of the ACC.
gerald perry's yoga routine
February 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
A long talk with the esteemed Ralph Reed, eh?
Mark, I hope Jesus Christ is now your personal Lord and Savior and you have played all the major slot machines at Mississippi’s finest Casinos.
/namaste
Jon Contract
February 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
Smoltz representing Bradley in Congress. What were the odds on that.
That being said I dont think he will get elected. At some point he will put his foot in his mouth big time.
Sideways the dog
February 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
nice middle name MB
Truthpaste
February 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
A popularity contest, once again. It’s never about who can benefit the citizens, it’s who can look good for the ticket.
Ted
February 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
Smoltz is a prick. I’d vote for you.
Crockett
February 27th, 2010
8:26 pm
Why are you dragging out this silly grudge again? Get over yourself Bradley, you got into a tiny spat with another grown man, and you let yourself get so very flustered by the incident that you did not go near the guy who it was part of your job to interview for a decade. Are you going to snipe like this every time Smoltz gets headlines from here on out? So you feel that you were in the right and were wronged, Oh the Humanity, poor Mark was glared at.
randyarnold
February 27th, 2010
8:28 pm
Just another case of regressive Republicans showing it’s not how qualified you are, just as long as you have a name and vote the way we tell you to vote. I enjoyed watching John Smoltz come in to solve problems for the Braves in the ’90s. How is John Smoltz qualified in the 21st century to solve the problems created by the Republicans at the beginning of the century is most debatable.
One thing is certain: With all the money he’s made in baseball, he’ll fit in with all the other regressive Republican fat cats.
Jon Contract
February 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Let the political flames begin !!!
Darren
February 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
That’s right, Randy. Because it’s only the Republican politicians who are rich. Yeah!
Heather
February 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
Mark, you are the one who is imagining a rivalry with Smoltz that simply does not exist. Smoltz does not give a @#$% about you. You, on the other hand, are trying to draw attention to yourself by pretending that Smoltz has some sort of antipathy towards you. Smoltz doesn’t care because he is way more important and more accomplished than you, OK? No one cares about your imaginary little feud.
JTK
February 27th, 2010
8:48 pm
Randy, you are a complete moron. Before the murderer Ted Kennedy died, I believe the top 4 out of 5 richest Senators were Democrats. Of course, Kennedy and John Kerry neither did it on their own. Nothing like being a descendent of a mafia family and marrying the widow of the Heinz fortune. That’s classy! They are such men of the “average” people, right?
Give me a ballplayer over a community organizer anyday! At least Smoltz has actually worked for a living!
UGA75
February 27th, 2010
8:53 pm
MB
In a history of weird and strange columns, this takes the cake. With the many things going on in sports you should have the intelligence to write about sports. Smoltzie still thinks he can play the game, he isn’t likely to jump into politics, though if he did he’d win, and I don’t think Prez Obama would be thrilled with him either.
Whether You and Smoltz like each other on not doesn’t matter. GA and GT both Win, the NFL combine is going on, the Braves are cold in Florida, with ton’s of things you know about and have strong opinions on, why waste a column. Why am I wasting time talking about you wasting time? An equally good question. Stay in the Sports field, you look much less silly!
oldfan
February 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
Smoltz is a excellent pitcher and seems to be a great guy, but if he make a robo call for anyone, especially, Chambliss, I will never vote for him. I hate those things.
Zach
February 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Governor Smoltz, I love it. If he get’s elected I think I can pretty safely say politics are motivated solely by publicity. And Mark don’t be so sure that just because you’re not from the 7th district or whatever, Smotlz wont have influence over you. I can him proposing some legislation against you. lol
Sonny Clusters
February 27th, 2010
9:23 pm
Hahahahahaha! When Smoltz goes to Congress can it be long before Chipper goes to the Senate? Imagine the government we would have! We was having a bad day until we read this. Congressman Smoltz. Senator Chipper. Hahahhahaha!
GetwhatUpayfor
February 27th, 2010
9:24 pm
Obama has never worked a day in his life and he’s a mult- millionaire…where the blank did he get his $$$$$$?
John will do just fine and better than most.
GetwhatUpayfor
February 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
How about Senator Glavine…the union man.
StingerSplash
February 27th, 2010
9:38 pm
Mr. Bradley,
Maybe you can hit the exacta by having Paul Hewitt run for the same seat this fall.
Harry the Hat
February 27th, 2010
9:43 pm
Smoltz may be a conservative (good), but he’s made so much money that he has no idea how ordinary people live (bad).
On the other hand, he’s honest (as far as I know), which is more than I can say for just about anyone in the Obama administration or the Congress.
And he’s a union guy (bad, real bad).
LAC
February 27th, 2010
9:43 pm
Uh…. No Thanks !
ASHEVILLE DAWG
February 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
Smoltz, do you really want to be just another sleazy politican?
Zach
February 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Everyone in the Obama administration is terrorists! blah blah blah.
1. No one cares about your political views.
2. NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS! (Get, Harry)
3. Ignorance must be bliss.
4. NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS!
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
February 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
Does throwing smoke in baseball qualify one to blow smoke on Capital Hill?
Wonder if he inhaled?
Dan
February 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
As far as Smoltz for Congress, why not? The Roman emperor Caligula made his horse a senator – electing pro athletes of any political affiliation who have spent their adult lives perfecting the performance of games to Congress fits right in with the U.S. looking as doomed as the Roman Empire these days.
sansho1
February 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Loved watching him pitch — can’t stand to hear him talk. Politics makes sense for him, though — that “What’s next, sex with animals?” line will play big in the Seventh….
Tralfaz
February 27th, 2010
10:16 pm
smoltz running as a republican?? Does that mean he is a gay hooker meth addict?
SLP
February 27th, 2010
10:18 pm
Smoltz, God knows, has the ego, but surely he’s no idiot. Nothing to be concerned about Mark.
For the record, I’d LOVE to see him make a fool of himself and fall flat on his face.
Dr Henry/Augusta
February 27th, 2010
10:21 pm
Well, why not Mark? I don’t believe that anyone in D.C. likes any of us any more than Smoltz likes U…I would bet the house that he would be elected…We need new Republican blood from our state….There are some that think Newt Gingrich is still in power….Even though we’re not Minnesota or California where any celeb can get elected Smoltz could very well be a breath of fresh air……I have always thought that Knucksie would of been a good candidate for public office.
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It is an Irish name.
February 27th, 2010
10:22 pm
Plus if Smoltz disagrees with a fellow congressman he can just come high and inside and scare the crap out of them.
Dr Henry/Augusta
February 27th, 2010
10:28 pm
BTW…I guess now that Derek Dooley coaches the Vols, Vince’s name won’t come up for Governor…seems like there’s always been a minor push to get the old Bulldog coach in politics.
Tom
February 27th, 2010
10:32 pm
He’s got name recognition, that’s true. But I think he’d be more respected on the state level. He’s been in Atlanta all his career, so that qualifies him for congress? Nope.
NOPE-Keep the change curious george
Leroy Updike
February 27th, 2010
10:39 pm
It would be a great addition to a group that lacks character and integrity. I think the people need his character but I am not certian either party could adapt to it!!!
Dr.Dave
February 27th, 2010
11:13 pm
This country has some very serious problems and it’s going to take a lot more than baseball fame to deal with them. JS, forget it and go play some golf.
Reid Adair
February 28th, 2010
12:24 am
I think John Smoltz would be a great member of Congress; he certainly couldn’t do any worse than most of the folks on Capitol Hill now.
Mitchell
February 28th, 2010
3:06 am
John Smoltz should do anything and everything but get into politics. Maybe he could just continue to not retire and hope that someone will sign him.
Conyers Braves Fan
February 28th, 2010
4:24 am
Mark: I thought Smoltz has said he aspires to joining the Senior Tour. Do you think he has
dropped that idea? Not unlike others who have made a name for themselves in professional sports,
he probably just wants to keep himself visible and in the media after his career is over.
dagnabit
February 28th, 2010
4:26 am
Well; His wife and kids have already left him ,so he’s free to diddle any woman or man that he wants to. Without resigning
lanier
February 28th, 2010
5:15 am
well he appears self-absorbed enough to be a politication but in elections for us congress these types don’t fare too well. there once was a football coach from Athens who had the same idea and it didn’t get very far.
jadarm
February 28th, 2010
5:17 am
Can you let the Smoltz drama go? I love reading your blogs, but Smoltzie is an Atlanta icon. I don’t really need to be reminded in every single paragraph that you write how you OR him got his feathers ruffled over a decade ago.
Lovin’ ur objectivity here guy.
southside
February 28th, 2010
6:25 am
Good men and women are needed in Congress. Smoltz is a class act.
Randy must a Duke University graduate with his biased opinions of a political party.
I vote
February 28th, 2010
7:05 am
Soinds great John smoltz replace John Linder he be find new congress can punch out the Minnesota congress man…Al Franken.As for have time learn why if u can do the job let him its goin be more rep.in soon anyway…..and maybe John smoltz will run for President in 2012!
You are not the story
February 28th, 2010
8:00 am
Hey Bradley, did I miss something, or are the posts supposed to be all about you? I have a news flash for you: Nobody cares about your spat with Smoltz. Even still, nobody cares about your mom being friends with Jim Bunning. Is this really the best thing you could have written about?
MCook
February 28th, 2010
8:29 am
You just lost a fan…..bye
Hmmm
February 28th, 2010
8:38 am
Mark, the Smoltz feud is getting old, dude. Let it go.
And face it, he’s not more of a political neophyte than the man inhabiting the Oval Office. True, he hasn’t been elected to the Senate as Barry O’Bama was, but Barry only spent a few days there before leaving to meet with his racist friends from Chicago to plan his White House assault. Maybe he could find some career politician who fancies himself a tough guy, and has the extemporaneous speaking ability of a peanut, to run with him, just as Barry did.
MCook
February 28th, 2010
8:41 am
AJC continues to suck, what’s new??
ben
February 28th, 2010
8:44 am
good grief…
AJC Sucks
February 28th, 2010
8:54 am
Atlanta Journal-Constitution? More like Dunwoody Journal-Constitution. Have you losers moved to your new office yet? Who is the publisher this week?
NoLa Slim
February 28th, 2010
8:55 am
Jump in Smoltzie, it’s time to cuts momma’s Medicare. Feel the love, baby!
I REMEMBER
February 28th, 2010
8:59 am
John Smoltz is the same idiot who took his neighbor to court for casting a shadow on his pool. (the neighbors addition to his house) Smoltz lost this court case. This man is not fit to be a representative of common people.
Will
February 28th, 2010
9:13 am
Smoltz is the perfect candidate for political office. He’s led a sheltered life far removed from the realities faced by everyday, hardworking Americans. Sounds to me like becoming distanced in the manner of a politician should be a natural transition.
Will
February 28th, 2010
9:16 am
btw, I didn’t bother reading your article. I’m not reading another self-absorbed “Smoltz doesn’t like me so I must be cool” article. The headline was enough.
Interested
February 28th, 2010
9:16 am
Let’s see. Smoltz is not a lawyer, professional politician or in the pocket of big business so I say give him a chance.
curtis jones
February 28th, 2010
9:25 am
Mark, I enjoy 98% of your work, but honestly, this Smoltz thing is tiresome. I know the AJC likes for some of its writers to become “personalities” but, please. I seriously doubt that you’re more than a smudge on Smoltz’s windshield. The first little “feud” column was cute, but this topic has seriously jumped the shark. If some editor is approving this stuff, get a second opinion.
Mike K.
February 28th, 2010
9:48 am
Of course he’s a conservative. He got rich playing a child’s game and doesn’t want to pay taxes.
Hewitt's friend who reads the paper
February 28th, 2010
9:58 am
A tech win and an article from MB about a non sports related topic. MB had to really stretch to find something to write about after Tech won. I wonder if he already has the article written about Tech’s collapse. Will it be sold in 3rd world countries like the Patriots 19-0 T shirts?
WonderDawg
February 28th, 2010
10:06 am
Don’t worry about Smoltzie, Mark. Now if he was a Dem and got elected, you might get a little visit from the IRS shortly after the election, a little gift often used by the Clintons …
Clay
February 28th, 2010
10:13 am
RandyArnold, if “regressive” means being against everything “progressives” or “liberals” are for, and Smoltzie is “regressive”, then just get me his address and I’ll send him a campaign donation this morning.
Dr. Warren
February 28th, 2010
10:17 am
Ha, I’d love to hear Mr. Sophisticated Smoltzie’s views on China, North Korea, Iran, Healthcare, and Education. And making millions of dollars per year playing a game for your entire adult life–since being, like, 21–surely gives him a wonderful understanding of the issues average people are facing. The only thing wrong Mark did here was not lampooning the possibility of Smoltz in Congress much more.
Dr. Warren
February 28th, 2010
10:18 am
Does Smoltz have a college education?
It's me.
February 28th, 2010
10:23 am
Smoltz’s political views are backward and border on down right stupid. That being said, after his photo spread appears in Playgirl we can make an educated decision about whether or not he deserves our vote.
Nativebird
February 28th, 2010
10:33 am
John Smoltz is a Class A-1 Jerk off the field and when camera’s a not around. (I’ve personally experienced on more than a few occations, so I know it’s not just a bad day brush with fame). This would fit him PERFECTLY. Makes total sense.
Tommy
February 28th, 2010
10:42 am
You are smug. Sarcasm seems to be at the core of all of your work. It gets to be tedious.
Curious George
February 28th, 2010
10:51 am
Would Larry Sinclair and Barack Obama take personal offense to Smoltz’s public stance on homosexuality that would prohibit them from working together peacefully on federal issues?
Chris
February 28th, 2010
10:56 am
Smoltz has a very real shot at playing the senior golf tour. When Tiger Woods was asked who was the best ‘civilian’ he’s ever played with, he said Smoltz…nobody else was a close second.
Wayne Kelley
February 28th, 2010
11:03 am
I would vote for John Smoltz! Whoever votes for anyone who is now in office, shame on them. We need new people leading us. John is a leader! The democrats gave it a shot but before its to late lets get the Republicans back in office.
Tiger Woods
February 28th, 2010
11:06 am
No, Rachel is the best I’ve played with ………..oh wait, you talking about golf?
The Dogfighter Returns
February 28th, 2010
11:12 am
anyone ever seen a fish out of water?
guess what, it ain’t pretty and that is exactly what smoltz will look like in d.c.
the professional politicians will eat him up. the poor sap actually believes in god.
a grown man who believes in god is akin to a grown man who believes in santa claus.
Bunning's a jerk
February 28th, 2010
11:18 am
No mention of how Bunning just gave the finger to all Americans on unemployment by singlehandedly blocking it’s extension? That’s the newest and most relevant info regarding him and you leave it out, for shame Mark!
jethro bodine
February 28th, 2010
11:33 am
Smoltz would make the perfect Republican candidate; another rich, selfish. undereducated reactionary. He’s had his time in the sun. Nows the time for retirement and golf.
Bravos10#1
February 28th, 2010
11:36 am
wow john smoltz says he might be running for office and everybody here has to spew hate mail over the damn thing and say that one guy cant fix it, well you have to start somewhere
1eyedJack
February 28th, 2010
11:43 am
Can he read and interpret the United States Constitution? That’s a lost art that should be in high demand.
On the plus side he could take Obama in golf and probably basketball.
SCRusty
February 28th, 2010
11:49 am
The sad thing about this article was to read that John Linder is retiring. Linder is the author of the Fair Tax bill.
Newt Gingich
February 28th, 2010
11:53 am
This is just what the Republican party needs-another millionaire who can qualify for a congressional pension and come up with a bunch of new ways to keep from paying taxes. I can see it now- John Smoltz and Curt Shilling in 2012.
Harry the Hat
February 28th, 2010
11:58 am
>>Go for it Smoltzie. Politics is just as sleezy and corrupt as baseball and both Commissioner Selig and President Obama are both raging idiots.<<
That pretty much says it.
heartofdarkness
February 28th, 2010
12:02 pm
Would Mr. Smoltz want to extend the sort of health care which he has become familiar during his career to all Americans? That could be an intoxicating platform. Does he favor deflation or devaluation of the American currency? The US is in much the same position as Britain after the First World War. Mr. Smoltz’s understandings of Keynes criticisms of international finance post war would be a stimulating elevation of the current dialogue should he choose to elucidate them. How does Mr. Smoltz envision the transformation of the American economy from the inefficient competitiveness of conspicuous consumption that has under invested in energy production, transportation, urban planning, growing structural unemployment, and preservation of our food production capacities, to one that builds long term structures to unleash American creativity. The list of challenges is large, and America would be well advised to begin to choose well informed pragmatists who can build coalitions to solve problems and depart from the notion that all wisdom exists at one end or the other of the political spectrum.
We should listen to Mr. Smoltz’s ideas, as well as any other candidates, and weigh our choices carefully. Should this seem like a sentence to a dreary existence, we always have the luxury of insulting the AJC columnist to fall back upon.
Saxby4tune
February 28th, 2010
12:03 pm
To the idiot who said, “Nobody cares about your spat with Smoltz.”, why are you here? Apparently, some people care about it because a lot of people read those columns/blogs. I always enjoy hearing updates about it (that alone makes you WRONG). If you don’t want to hear about it, make like a tree and get the “flip” outta here.
Saxby4tune
February 28th, 2010
12:05 pm
…and I think it’s cool that Bradley’s mom is friends with Jim Bunning. Wow, that dude was WRONG again when he/she said “nobody” cared. I’m glad there are people who can speak for everyone else on here. What an idiot!
don
February 28th, 2010
12:06 pm
John Smoltz would make a fine congressman. From his life experiences, which include starting a Christian school. he is far better qualified to represent us than is the Marxist in the White House.
John
February 28th, 2010
12:28 pm
Bradley,
Did you ever think about just asking Smoltz what his problem with you was? I mean, he’s a man, you’re a man. You both speak English. And as it happened during his tenure as a Brave, you two crossed paths on a fairly regular basis. You guys couldn’t hash out your differences, bury the hatchet, hug and make up?
I happen to be a big fan of Smoltz The Brave. Also Smoltz The Bald Guy. I still have my hair, just admire John for resisting the temptation to hide his pattern baldness under a Neikro-like rug. I always wondered what Phil’s teammates thought when they passed his locker every game. I expect he had a couple wig holders in there. One had his game rug sittin’ on it. And his a non-game rug was perched atop the other
A two-rugger was Knucksie. Had to be, man. Couldn’t go home to the missus or have a post-game brewski with his pals without two toupees. Can you imagine what that damned thing musta smelled like after wearing it for nine innings pitched in the summer dog days? He’s goin’ out in public in that thing? I don’t think so.
Pretty big fan of yours too, by the way. You’re no Terrence Moore, but you ain’t bad for a white boy. Don’t read into that comment that I am of the Afro-American (Howard Schnellenberger’s honorific for black folks) just because I raised the potentially incendiary topic of race in a post to a blog not about Michael Vick, Tim Tebow, Barrack Obama or Lawrence Welk.
Just seems to me that two giants of their respective trades like youi and Smoltzie could mend a fence broken but once.
Dan Radakovich
February 28th, 2010
12:36 pm
Mark,
Where is the article on the Tech basketball game? Or did you not write because they won?
Ken Stallings
February 28th, 2010
12:52 pm
Give it up, Mark! No one gives a damn anymore that you had some issue with Smoltz. Find something important to write about!
Hillbilly Deluxe
February 28th, 2010
1:30 pm
Sen. Bunning is likewise retiring, which would render me friendless-by-proxy in D.C.
From where I sit, it looks like we’re all friendless in D.C.
BravesFanLostInOhio
February 28th, 2010
1:31 pm
Dude, yes you were right, but you’re kinda like the schoolkid at lunch who won’t let that one funny thing he said in first period go, and has to remind everyone over and over again.
Besides, grace abounds. You should check it out.
i can see it now
February 28th, 2010
1:43 pm
john smoltz glen beck and sarah palin …..
dumb dumber and dumbest…. the new face of the republican party.
if jim bunning is against extending the insurance benefits and unemployment for us regular joes imagine how multimillionaire john ‘the fans just dont understand’ smoltz will eliminate all benefits.
hey don are you really educated?
February 28th, 2010
1:52 pm
do you believe that man walked with dinosaurs?
do you believe that obama was born in kenya?
do you believe that joe the plummer was really a plummer?
do you look and jiggle like rush limbaugh?
i think so….
hey don…. put down that bible. read a book. go to school. get educated for Christ’s sake. actually watch a news show besides fox news and do some fact checking.
that we actually have American’s that celebrate being stupid is beyond me.
Hey don…. im here to tell you…. you are one stupid guy.
the definition of dumb
February 28th, 2010
2:00 pm
being convinced by your political party that….
-it is cool to give all your money to the wealthy an they will take care of you by trickling it back down.
-that the health care bill has death panels in it. never mind that insurance companies decide who lives and dies every single day right now an they have been doing that for years.
any group of people who can be convinced of the above myths are truly stupid beyond belief
Julio Franco
February 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
Hey Tom,
Forget it Met Boy!,
You might want to call me for some fan friendly suggestions. Smiling once in a while would be a good start.
Joe the Plumber
February 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
hey don are you really educated? — it’s PLUMBER dummy not plummer. I wouldn’t question the intelligence of another when you can’t spell. No typo there — you did it twice. Go clean off the residue from the warm thrill that runs up your leg.
dumb and dumber
February 28th, 2010
2:24 pm
the definition of dumb — no really dumb is to give all your money to a bloated, inefficient Federal government. Even dumber is too gouge the people and businesses who have money so they can’t afford to hire dummies like you who have no money. Enjoy government assistance — I know a lot of folks are making it big on the dole.
Cousin Vicker
February 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
I think you should be more concerned with the (slight) possibility Smoltz signs with Atlanta. Then you two would have to be around each other like, a lot.
don
February 28th, 2010
3:52 pm
In response to “hey don are you really educated?”, the answer is “yes”. I would assume from your rambling post which contained no logic and indicated no intelligence whatsoever that I am far more educated than are you. In fact, with my three degrees from a major university, one of which is a Juris Doctorate, I would venture to guess that, from your apparent attitude, I am probably paying a good bit of my excessive income taxes to support you and your kind.
For the moron who attacked my homestate Sen. Bunning, I would suggest that you educate yourself in regard to his reasons for not supporting the bill. He said that he favors the bill but he believes that we need to find the 10 billion dollars to pay for it.
Now, in the age of BO, that is truly a unique point of view. Imagine that. someone believes we should have resources before we start spending the future of our children and grandchildren.
Suwaneedawg
February 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
As long as a democrat does NOT win, I don’t care if it is Smoltz. Mark, get over your little spat with Smoltz. Many more important things to write about today rather then someting that happened many moons ago.
he has his clown card
February 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
divorced, blow-hard, self-righteous, know-it-all, forces personal beliefs on everyone, and doing it all for Jesus front. yep, he fits for GA politics. I used to adore this guy when I was a kid. I guess we all learn from our youthful mistakes.
Trey
February 28th, 2010
4:46 pm
Mark
Make your bracket as of today. I want to see where you have the teams
Ken Stallings
February 28th, 2010
5:18 pm
Sometimes, people lose all sense in trying to taunt others. Such is this quote:
“Put down that Bible … and read a book!”
I swear, one wonders if the person making that quote deliberately decided to post something so ridiculous so as to ridicule that which he purported to defend!
Ken Stallings
February 28th, 2010
5:29 pm
Sometimes, someone is so desperate to attempt to taunt that he writes something so totally absurd, that one wonders if, in fact, he isn’t really trying to attack that which he purports to defend. This is such a quote:
“Put down that Bible … and read a book!”
One doesn’t have to make this stuff up!
ArtDodger
February 28th, 2010
6:35 pm
I’ll vote Democrat if he runs….if he wants to be a politican tell him to run for the Glynn County Tax Commissioners job and lower my property bill!
And Roodge Owns
February 28th, 2010
6:46 pm
So, is every Smotlz development from now till dooms day going to be an invitation to re-hash your deal with him? It’s getting to where I get a very icky feeling when I see your photograph. Smoltz is a pretty clueless narcissist, but you’re catching up.
D in Atlanta
February 28th, 2010
7:01 pm
You know Bradley, this is just so messed up. My favorite sports writer and my favorite pitcher at odds with one another. Can you just shake hands and call a truce. . . . . .Hurry before the CIA and FBA is brought into this. . . . .PLEASE!!!!!
a$$play
February 28th, 2010
7:16 pm
ANYONE who votes for someone just cause he is a hall of famer IS A RETARD! People that vote in this “popularity contest” are the same ones who will put Sarah Palin in office! Learn what representation is before you cast a vote.
Gwinnett Fred
February 28th, 2010
7:23 pm
Bradley & Smoltz were meant for each other. One is a hypocritical self centered holier than thou ass and the other is a know it all that has the personality of a wet sponge.
ArtDodger
February 28th, 2010
7:36 pm
Bradley, You think maybe you should take it easy this week, I mean 1st you PO Hewett and now you stick it to us Republicans in Gwinnett…sports talk radio loves you…what the heck, I can’t wait to see what you stir up next!!!!! Keep it up.
BravesFanLostInOhio
February 28th, 2010
7:53 pm
Hey MB, thanks for bringing politics to our sports blogs. Just what we needed. Now, back to DOB. At least when he is off topic, its about basketball, motorcycles, music, and movies.
Matt
February 28th, 2010
8:03 pm
The hawks are self destructing to end the season. I don’t think they will get out of the first round. Lose another at home. Pathetic the losers this city has.
Ed
February 28th, 2010
8:13 pm
Mark
You aren’t ‘in for it” if smoltz won. you and we all are in for it with the current president, speaker and senate maj leader. cramming down a hideous health care bill that 75% of the people don’t want that will eventually bankrupt the country will us in. you all better pray this doesn’t get passed or we will be greece in 5 years and you will be paying 60% of your income in taxes and your kids will never retire.
BMLocal26
February 28th, 2010
8:18 pm
Hey 3 degrees Don, G.W. started spending the future of our children and grandchildren when he invaded Iraq.
BMLocal26
February 28th, 2010
8:28 pm
Ed. Watch Fox News much? Or ever listen to Rush Blimpbaugh very often?
BMLocal26
February 28th, 2010
8:41 pm
Last!
Sellout his country?
February 28th, 2010
9:57 pm
Some people are lunatics. I don’t agree with Ted Turner or Jane Fonda, but I am not going to call Smoltz anti-America because he had a boss you is an atheist and liberal. John Smoltz is one of my heros and has never done anything but good for Atlanta, MLB, and our country.
Ken Stallings
February 28th, 2010
11:13 pm
While I agree that no one should vote for someone (or against) just because he was a popular athlete. However, it’s interesting how without Smoltz making the first campaign speech so many are assuming he’s got nothing upstairs for the job!
Personally, I’m of the view that the least qualified people are lawyers!
I think we need far many more people in Congress (and the White House) who first had to work a job outside the legal profession. Perhaps if that were the case we could have bills that were written plain and clear.
You can sit down in an hour and read the entire US Constitution. It was mostly written over 200 years ago and yet it reads as clear as ever. Why a single copy of a bill today has to single-handedly kill a tree is utter nonsense!
Bills become that complicated because of a desire to obscurate. Lawyers take clean water and turn it murky to achieve something for a client. I won’t call the whole profession tarnished. But, I have reached the firm conclusion it is past time lawyers get out of the business of US federal government.
CitizenK9
February 28th, 2010
11:15 pm
Success in baseball is black and white. Its all gray in Washington and the the elected officials have to compromise their principles to even hope to get anything done. He’d quickly become jaded, get a mistress, and then start lobbying on K Street for megabucks. Let him stay above that mess.
In Dimitroff We Trust
March 1st, 2010
12:02 am
Bradley,
You are so lame. You sound like a jilted lover. What a puscatore!
BMLocal26
March 1st, 2010
8:26 am
Last again!
JOHN VOTER
March 1st, 2010
12:22 pm
He’ll get in the Hall maybe on first Ballot But thats it Two words HOT HEAD. Ball player thats it.
Brandon
March 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
Mark,
I’ve been reading your article for a while now and it never ceases to amaze me how insecure you sound. Why keep writing about the Smoltz thing? Jabbing him in your articles on an almost monthly basis makes it seem like you’re jealous of the relationship DOB and others have with Smoltz. If you were authentically self-confident you wouldn’t need to write snarky stuff like this for thousands to read. You wouldn’t need OUR approval for your decision to let childish stuff from 12 YEARS AGO have such a hold on you.
Disbott 3000
March 1st, 2010
2:32 pm
Dude, let it go, for cryin’ out loud. Are we supposed to be impressed because you are one of the few people that John Smoltz, apparently, does not like? It’s weak, so drop it.
And I’ll take Smoltz in congress over most of the crooks that are in there now. Maybe he can use his fame to help influence some good in that den of thieves.
Ted
March 1st, 2010
2:41 pm
Mark, you only diminish yourself with these ridiculous articles. So Smoltz doesn’t like you. Who cares? And he’s already stated definitively that he’s not running for the seat. Of course, that doesn’t matter, as you have a deadline and a minimum number of words to write. Correct?
wallypip
March 1st, 2010
5:38 pm
Talked to Smoltzie once and thought he was an extremely bright guy. If he chooses to run for Congress as a Republican, that opinion will change.
wallypip
March 1st, 2010
5:51 pm
Hey Jim Bunning defender, did he or you stop to wonder where those trillions would come from when he voted to invade Iraq, based on fabrications lies? Nah. You only worry about spending when it’s proposed by somebody you don’t like. Our war costs are NOT EVEN ON THE BOOKS. Yet it costs $1 million per soldier per year in Iraq and Afghanistan. We could have provided a hell of a health care plan, or built a lot of clean power plants, or even upgraded our border security, or all of the above, with the money we’re wasting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then there are those many thousands of dead US soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis and Afghans. Jim Bunning always wins the Congressional staff survey as the stupidist member of Congress. Cannot stay awake in hearings. Out of spite, shuts down a program that will cost bucks to restart again. I think he took a few too many beanballs to the head.
how2fish
March 1st, 2010
6:12 pm
randyarnold ..really I hope John doesn’t un but for you or anyone to say he’s not qualified ..WTF you just elected a man to the most important job in the world who has NO qualifications…he has never run a business, a county , a city or a state government..never served in the military not earned a private sector paycheck..and John has to be at least that quailified..but he hasn’t almost destroyed the country in less than 2 years.
Jason
March 1st, 2010
6:13 pm
WOW!!! What a %$#(*&^ #*&$ column. That was pathetic!!! How do you still have a job?!? Is the paper hiring? Low standards clearly!!!
Bobbymahlon
March 2nd, 2010
11:13 am
MARK: Did Smoltz get remarried ?
Trey
March 2nd, 2010
6:48 pm
Next we should have Sonny Clusters as the education czar.
Matt
March 2nd, 2010
7:28 pm
Dude, let it go, how about actually writing about some sports NEWS like DOB instead of whining your way through a piece about how you got your feelings hurt because Smoltzie glared at you.
Ex-Braves Fan
March 3rd, 2010
10:43 am
Well Bradley since you are a falming liberal, I guess you would be terrified of a conservative coming in and actually making you earn a living besides writing in a dying newspaper. What’s wrong, afraid your beloved socialist in the white house won’t pay your mortgage and car payments for you once the AJC goes under like the rest of the flaming liberal newspapers are?
Clip file 3.3.10 — NYFSBlogs
March 3rd, 2010
2:01 pm
[...] Does John Smoltz prefer Congress to the Mets? Recap Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward in their game against the [...]
longtimedawgfan
March 3rd, 2010
5:20 pm
I would be interested in the rest of his resume…much as I love Smoltz and baseball, and as famous as he is, what has he done, other than to make political contributions, that would make us think he is remotely qualified to go to Washington to save this country….then again, maybe that’s what gets one elected in this country…name and money….
Jeff R
March 3rd, 2010
7:49 pm
Smoltz would make a fine member of Congress. Certainly better than most of those bozos on the Hill now.
Dunwoody Journal-Constitution
March 3rd, 2010
9:11 pm
Who is the publisher this week?
Dave In Tampa
March 4th, 2010
9:48 am
MB: Your about as childish as it comes with your little grudge against Smoltz. Smoltz has moved on and you can’t let it go… for what 13 years now? Grow up! That’s the difference between you and John Smoltz. He’s moved on and has class. You have not moved on and have “No Class.”
Bill Fletcher
March 4th, 2010
6:40 pm
Jump in there, John. This is the time!!! We need your clear thinking and conservative approach to fill that seat in Congress!!! Please consider this move from a Republican friend in North Carolina. This open seat could fall into “Enemy Hands” if you don’t do it! God Bless you and your family !!! Our nation needs you!
Bill Fletcher
Wilkesboro, NC