A change-up: How does Congressman John Smoltz sound?
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher John Smoltz reacts after throwing his 3,000th career strikeout in 2008. AJC file.
Within minutes of U.S. Rep. John Linder’s announcement that he won’t seek a 10th term in Congress, the phone began vibrating.
Late this afternoon, a Washington source called with this surprise: One of the people likely to approached as a candidate for Linder’s seat by Republicans will be former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz.
Smoltz has been paying down some dues in several Republican contests in Georgia over the last two years. He’s been part of a fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Tom Price of Roswell, and if memory serves, he cut a robo-call for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in ‘08.
Linder’s retirement has caught many Republicans off-guard. Who replaces him could be settled in a quickly approaching July primary – the district is trending Democrat, but not that fast. Advantage could go to someone who could put up his own cash, especially in this economy.
Two GOP names certain to be considering a congressional race are state Sens. Don Balfour of Snellville and David Shafer of Duluth. But both are tied up in a desperate session of the Legislature. Both would be free to raise money for a federal contest, but time becomes a big issue.
Smoltz’ advantage in name recognition would be inestimable. And right now, he’s a bit footloose. He hasn’t yet signed a contract for the season. This was written by my AJC colleague Jeff Schultz earlier this month:
Spring training opens next week and John Smoltz doesn’t have a job. This might unnerve most 42-year-old pitchers who don’t want to hear from baseball people or medical people or certainly Joe-in-section-312-with-nacho-sauce-on-his-chin people that his career might be over. But the waiting doesn’t bother Smoltz.
“I’ve been doing what I’ve always done this time of year — throwing every other day and getting ready for the season, ” he said by phone this week while driving to his workout. “I’m at a good place with everything that has gone on in my life. I’m just going to let this play out.”
He is not retiring. Nor has he decided for certain that he will hold off signing with a team until midseason — as Pedro Martinez did with Philadelphia last July — but acknowledges that is a possibility.
“A lot of people are speculating right now, ” he said. “But I can assure you it hasn’t come from anything that I’ve said.”
It’s possible that playoffs for Smoltz could come a little earlier this year.
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212 comments Add your comment
Rufio
February 27th, 2010
10:31 pm
I will actively campaign for anyone,even a Democrat, to defeat State Senator Don Balfour. I have had a horrible issues with the State of Georgia and sent a lengthy letter requesting help and He did absolutely NOTHING and his assistant Beverly Crumbley is a Joke. This man is not worthy to sit in the same chair as John Linder. He did not even have decency of a return email or call. Gee, when a constituent writes a 5 page letter and you don’t respond you have no business being a Congressman. I would rather have Jeff Francouer quit the Mets and come home and be the Congressman than Smoltzie. At least he is a real Gwinnettian.
Alex
February 27th, 2010
10:31 pm
Since he will be replacing the father of the FairTax, I would hope that he would be a supporter. If he supports the FairTax, he has my vote (and yes I actually do live in that Congressional district). Now to all the people who may or may not vote for him because he went and played baseball for another team, please stay home on election day. If you can’t vote for people based on their views about policies, then you don’t need to be voting.
stw
February 27th, 2010
10:35 pm
Interesting to hear what he has to say himself.Never failed at anything..Sounds like a good idea….Question–can he put a fastball in CT’s mouth.. Would seal my vote ..
Cherokee
February 27th, 2010
10:36 pm
JD the biggest tax cut in history went into effect April 1, 2009… yeah, under Obama. If you were working then, you got a tax cut.
PCBobby
February 27th, 2010
10:47 pm
Just what GA needs to move back to 1850: a racist, homophobic moron. BTW, his wife kicked him out of the mansion so is he living somewhere in the 7th? What a dirtbag. Yes, we Independents will decide the winner. Right now it will be the crowded field of right wing-nuts shooting each other in their feet. The Dems have the best shot at this seat for the first time in years.
JD in Marietta
February 27th, 2010
10:51 pm
Cherokee, please give me the name of the tax cut, because I have been working for 25 years and have yet to see a tax cut the last 2 years.I know this is difficult for liberals to comprehend, but if you raise taxes, then suddenly lower them by an insignificant amount, that is NOT a tax cut. Cherokee, I am anxiously awaiting our reply.
BillReef
February 27th, 2010
10:56 pm
I don’t think he is gay enough to be a Republican Congressman. You have to have buggered a few boys or tapped your foot under the stall to even get considered. That’s the reason they loved Mark Sanford so much. At least he was banging some Argentinian chick. They hadn’t had a heterosexual in the party for a while and they wanted to encourage him. I mean look at Newt, you really don’t think that flamer is straight do you?
PCBobby
February 27th, 2010
10:56 pm
@Rufio Balfour cares a lot: about Don Balfour–sorry to hear that the self-absorbed blowhard treated you like that. It’s time to elect sensible folks who are dedicated to GA’s future.
Kyle
February 27th, 2010
11:00 pm
Just another reason to love Smoltzie. If he hates these wanting something for nothing anti-American Democrats as much as me I’ll be the first in line to vote for him. Send them to Canada so they can get their dream Health Care. Hug a tree while you are waiting in line for it stupid.
SteveO
February 27th, 2010
11:01 pm
PCBobby, who would your choice be for a congressman to replace John Linder? Vernon Jones if he moved to Linders district? I would love to hear some qualified candidates….
JD in Marietta
February 27th, 2010
11:06 pm
Cherokee, I’m waiting to hear about the biggest tax cut in 2009…. Does it really exist Was I left out? I never heard a word about the biggest tax cut in history in any of the papers….. I could have saved thousands if only I knew…..
mistermak
February 27th, 2010
11:07 pm
EP— what the HECK are you smokin? Lowered our taxes? Yea that is how he will pay for all these SPENDING BILLS he comes up with!! You really need to pay attention to something other than MSNBC!!!
Vanessa
February 27th, 2010
11:10 pm
Great piece on Linder and his career – http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/2/27/841404/-John-Linder-GA-7-retires
hop
February 27th, 2010
11:11 pm
it funny how the writer of the article and the dems think the have a real shot at this race.
the district is made up with all of gwinnett county and walton county that continues to vote for the gop.
you add the fact that the dems are in trouble nationally because of the meltdown in washington ,the losses in virginia, new jersey and of all seats ted kennedy going the other way, this is going to be a bad year for the dems.
gcs
February 27th, 2010
11:13 pm
Some of you Liberals are so full of hate. It makes me sad.
.
Drago
February 27th, 2010
11:15 pm
No to the Smoltz. People we elect need to be educated. Smoltz is not.
Sarah Palin's Daughter
February 27th, 2010
11:15 pm
So Kyle, why is it that you accuse the Democrats of wanting something for nothing? It was a Republican president with a Republican congress who authorized the biggest giveaway in our nation’s history. Since you obviously went to public school and don’t know any better, the Medicare Prescription Drug bill trumps anything any Democrat ever “gave” away. Bush never did explain how he was going to pay for it, which isn’t necessary because it’s not his problem anymore. People like you are pathetic trailer trash that shouldn’t have the right to vote because you’re too stupid to actually know what’s going on. Idiot!
mistermak
February 27th, 2010
11:19 pm
Hey JD I think Cherokee and EP are drinkin the Kool-aid! Unfortunately, people like them will be voting! Just don’t seem right!
Sarah Palin's Daughter
February 27th, 2010
11:20 pm
Hey Kyle, Did anyone ever teach you how to use a comma? I didn’t think so. And you’re calling other people stupid? By the way, what’s it like being able to tow your house around with your F-350? I’ll bet your truck cost more than your house, didn’t it? Idiot!
No to Smoltz
February 27th, 2010
11:20 pm
Smoltz can’t even handle his own affairs. Please GOP, don’t pick another moron.
No to Smoltz
February 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
Sarah Palin’s Daughter – didn’t you get knocked up in the back of an F350?
Sarah Palin's Daughter
February 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
Hey Kyle, Do you and your mom dip Copenhagen from the same can? Do you share a spit cup? Yeah, I thought so.
Bristol Palin
February 27th, 2010
11:28 pm
Hey Kyle, Have you ever “been with” a girl? I mean, one you’re not related to. No? That’s what I thought.
Jeff
February 27th, 2010
11:29 pm
I don’t want John Smoltz’ right wing ideology messing with my future or my rights. Butt Out !!!
Concerned Voter!
February 27th, 2010
11:32 pm
John, when you did the stuff for Tom Price, a true zealot and not one who works for the good of ALL the people, you lost it for me. Those elected MUST work for ALL of those in their districts. When did this whole thing become that they just work for their party? Wrong. Things must change soon or we need a viable third party to tell both the Ds and the Rs to retire.
Concerned Voter!
February 27th, 2010
11:37 pm
Oops. Just re-reading some of the comments. Kyle, if we did go to Canada, at least our prescriptions would be cheaper! Those great companies have a hold on this country, and our elected officials.
Freedom Line Blog » Representative John Smoltz?
February 27th, 2010
11:42 pm
[...] Linder that he won’t seek reelection is fueling speculation that former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz might be tossing his baseball cap in the political ring. Besides throwing a wicked fastball, Smoltz is an Evangelical Christian who is a legendary [...]
Cherokee
February 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
JD you and every other working American had a reduction in your withholding rates on April 1. If you were working, you had a tax cut. All told, the total amount of the tax cut was larger than Bush’s initial tax cut.
Facts are stubborn things my friend.
MB SNELLVILLE
February 28th, 2010
12:09 am
John Linder the best ! Trending where Democratic, in the Nation? Not this year. Melvin Everson leave the labor commissioner race and head to Washington!!!
Chuck
February 28th, 2010
12:32 am
Find the knocks about his Christianity interesting. Christians aren’t perfect and I don’t think John ever said he was. To me, he has always handled himself with tremendous class and integrity. As for some of his outbursts on golf courses and in public, again he never claimed to be perfect, just forgiven. Don’t assume that he was the one who caused the marriage to dissolve. With the stress, travel, and loneliness that comes from that “glamerous” lifestyle, my hat is off to anyone who can make their marriage and family work. Hard enough in the so called “real” world. For those who paint him as a dumb, overpaid jock, could there be a hint of jealously in those comments? Most of the people who write such garbage couldn’t begin to play in the minor leagues let alone the big leagues. And yes, there is some luck in getting to the big leagues. The ones who perform at such a high level for a long time work very hard to stay there. His ability as a public speaker and his tremendous community service ( soup kitchens, Christian school he helped pay for ) make him a worthy and viable canidate for public office. Let’s not kid ourselves, image is huge when it comes to politics. The positive attributes that John would bring to the political arena far outweigh any baggage that he might bring. As a Christian myself, I see his faith as a positive in reaching a lost world. Fine if you don’t agree with his views or beliefs, but he is worthy of respect by the way he has conducted his life in this city.
Georgia Tech
February 28th, 2010
12:36 am
This is classic … a pitcher who is now bored with this life now will decide that politics will be his new hobby … yes we should definitely vote for Smoltz, after all he is an expert on government since he has one world series championship to boast about … so looking forward to this.
Pot, here's the Kettle
February 28th, 2010
12:38 am
Some of you Liberals are so full of hate. It makes me sad.
This is cherry-picking a bit, but so is the above comment. Enjoy, person who can’t see the splinter for the beam in his own eye…
If he hates these wanting something for nothing anti-American Democrats as much as me I’ll be the first in line to vote for him. Send them to Canada so they can get their dream Health Care. Hug a tree while you are waiting in line for it stupid.
I don’t think he is gay enough to be a Republican Congressman. You have to have buggered a few boys or tapped your foot under the stall to even get considered. That’s the reason they loved Mark Sanford so much. At least he was banging some Argentinian chick. They hadn’t had a heterosexual in the party for a while and they wanted to encourage him. I mean look at Newt, you really don’t think that flamer is straight do you?
I know this is difficult for liberals to comprehend, but if you raise taxes, then suddenly lower them by an insignificant amount, that is NOT a tax cut.
His faith is an admirable quality absent in liberals. I always wonder how they wake up each day with no faith…
As long as Mr. Smoltz doesn’t vote to give EVEN MORE free, taxpayer-earned money to the worthless FreakNik supporters and V-103 booty shakers who contribute nothing (of value) to society helps put more of them in prison, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.
Ever notice how the metro gay/atheist movement jumps in these blogs at every chance they get to try and throw mud at anyone remotely religious? Disgusting! Then again, I can see what there motive is. Its always to promote there agenda.
go smotlz’ie. Your experience for congress far exceeds what obambi had for our white house. I hope you run and win.
A) I didn’t see anyone say that conservatives have a lock on morality, or a line to God. Though liberals typically are the first to call Christians, or anyone else of faith for that matter (though not Muslims…too p%$$y for that) a moron, or a simpleton, or an idiot.
hey hoopdog what family values does douche bag Clinton have?
DannyX Thank god we have someone perfect like you! Go blow u r self!
Stewart
February 28th, 2010
12:56 am
As a lifelong Atlantan and loyal Braves fan, I like John Smoltz. Given the challenges our country currently faces, I don’t like the idea of US Rep. John Smoltz (R).
vuduchld
February 28th, 2010
1:08 am
The TruthHurts
I guess the truth does hurt for an idiot like you because when it comes to commmon sense, a clown like you has none. The truth is that jerks like you have put Jawja in the sorry position it’s currently resides, but lemmings like yourself and other dimwits in your state will continue to elect morons in office, then wonder what happened when your state is flushed down the toilet.
Several weeks ago the President you claim has “no experience” madeHouse Republicans look like complete fools on their own turf, reducing Tom Price to a complete nincompoop. This past week he again made GOP senators look like completely clueless slugs(which they are).
Franky, I’ll take this no experience President anyday to the monkeys you and other right wing trolls prop up like scarecrows.
mistermak
February 28th, 2010
1:33 am
Mr Vudu, all he showed was his own arrogance. But since you are so in love with him (for whatever reason) you cant see anything wrong with the man. His arrogance will be his down fall. Or the fact that he never really has stopped running for office. What ever the case I can’t wait until the end of this year when we take back the house and commons sense begins to come back. And then in 12 when socialism starts to die!
mistermak
February 28th, 2010
1:35 am
by then he will have emptied all of our pockets and yes that includes you too Mr.Vudu! But I am sure as long as he is handing you some chump change to just get by on you and all of your chronies will be happy with him. with a new real president you just might have to get a job and buy your own health insurance. Sorry!!
10th District Voter...
February 28th, 2010
1:36 am
David Shafer should be the next 10th district Congressman. He is the most qualified of the likely candidates and he’s paid his dues working in the background for the Republican Party over the last 20 years. Balfour has a little bit of seniority over Shafer, so it will be interesting to see if he uses it to keep Shafer from running. Given Shafer’s loyalty to the party, I’m not sure if he’d run if Balfour really wants the job. Hopefully Balfour will recognize that Shafer is the better candidate for the long run and support Shafer’s candidacy.
Smoltz is an interesting story, but with at least two other more qualified candidates, the Republican Party would be making a big mistake to follow the Democrats down the “image over qualifications” path. Look for Smoltz to be a public supporter of the actual candidate rather than a candidate himself.
PoliticalDog
February 28th, 2010
1:37 am
Chiparm, you Democrats never showed respect for George Bush, remember the movie about his assassination, and all the Hitler mustaches? I would vote for a 1 eyed three legged dog than a Democrat.
DirtyDawg
February 28th, 2010
2:04 am
I suppose that the comment about, at least, for this member of ‘The Party of Tolerance’ saying such hateful things may be accurate. Then again, intolerance toward someone because of race, gender, sexual persuasion, religion and,yes, even political preference, should be condemned. However, intolerance toward ‘jerks’, even ‘Jerks For Jesus’, is to not only be expected, but valued. John Smoltz is a jerk of the first order. Run John Run, it’ll be the end of your sorry ass around these parts. Even the cognitive dissonance Repugs will ‘get it’ when it comes to your hypocritical butt.
Robb Cohen
February 28th, 2010
2:34 am
But can he read a teleprompter?
Robb Cohen
February 28th, 2010
3:11 am
Enter your comments here
Jessica
February 28th, 2010
4:53 am
I am a Christian and a Democrat and YES the two can and does go together. The problem with some Republicans is that you think you have a lock on Jesus Christ. Maybe that’s why when you are in the news for lying, stealing, adultery, etc. you get a public lashing. Your self righteousness is such a turn off.
Should Smlotz run? I don’t know but I do know that if he’s homophobic he better be ready for the fight of his life. Does he understand foreign policy? Budgets? Unemployment? Being a rich athlete does not qualify one for public office. It would be nice to see a fresh young face (God knows Isakson and Chambliss need to go!). But, I want that fresh, young face to be qualified, fair and willing to work with everyone for the benefit of the citizens of the State of Georgia – not just the ones that look, act, and believe as you believe. Can we get SERVANTS….not politicians.
No to Smoltz
February 28th, 2010
6:21 am
Ask Mark Bradley of the AJC if he should run – he’ll give you an earful! John is a pompous, spoiled, crybaby. He is a faux christian.
As Mark has mentioned before, Smoltz can’t stand to have anything negative written about him. Getting involved in politics beyond fund raising would be a suicide mission.
Steve Klein
February 28th, 2010
6:42 am
Don’t do it Smoltz. It would be a sad ending to a great career. Look at Jim Bunning — politics turned one of the greatest pitchers ever into one of the biggest jerks ever.
Comment Awaiting Moderation
February 28th, 2010
7:13 am
Another out of touch gillionaire, I have heard from friends close to Him that he has some violent angers issues and is not the reflection of Jesus Christ he trys to come across in his public image. But then again ET and American Idol run this country anyhow. The GOP is a joke, first Palin and now Smoltz. God does need to step in and help the Grand Oil Party. I am a Conservative and this makes me sick. By the way to all us conservative, we have no morals either – we are better at hidding our sins. Remember IN 1994 WE HAD THE WHITE HOUSE, THE HOUSE, AND THE SENATE AND DID NOTHING. YOU KNOW WHY? ALL OUR GUYS WERE IN BED WITH SOMEONE LOBBYIST bdsm CHICK. WAKE UP GOP!!!
Fair and Balanced
February 28th, 2010
7:31 am
Norris says: “Smoltz would be great. He is a moral man with integrity”
Right. And he is a great Family Man, too.
John
February 28th, 2010
7:49 am
As long as he can keep the Fair Tax flame burning…he would be a good choice. I fear that with the departure of Congressman Linder, the Fair Tax will die. Sad that the GOP blew their chances to try and pass it when they had the majority. Now with the COMMUNISTS in charge, it will be more difficult.
Bitter EX democrackkk
February 28th, 2010
7:50 am
But is Smoltz a Constitionalist? Has he STUDIED the Constitution? There are study courses available for laymen …ALL prospective candidates for office should be required to learn it. Many in office today have NEVER even read or understood our founding document. Think how much better off America would be today if they had!
UNaffiliated Voter
February 28th, 2010
7:57 am
…Remember, the MLK family was Republican before Jr got called by JFK to switch to the ‘crackkks…its one of the biggest historical mistakes in America.
MikeSilver
February 28th, 2010
8:04 am
Balfour is anti-gun and undeserving of Conservative support.
He was the main Repuiblican opposition to HB89 and worked to undermine it every step of the way. HB89 which passed in 2008, restored the rights of background checked licensees to carry their firearms in more locations such as restrurants that serve alcohol and on public transit.
Balfour is a gun banner! Watch out Georgia.