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DEL.ICIO.USJohn Smoltz’s career path will end at Hall of Fame
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s 514 miles from Glens Falls, N.Y., to Richmond. John Smoltz dragged out the trip to 14 hours in 1987. He was in no hurry. He was trying to sort things out, not easy for a 20-year-old who had just been traded by his hometown team, Detroit Tigers, to the Atlanta Braves. And for a grumpy old pitcher twice his age. John’s mind was in a tornadic whirl.
“I was crushed. Devastated. I’d been traded away by the only major-league team I’d ever expected to play for. I looked at it as a rejection,” Smoltz said. “I wasn’t good enough. They were unloading me. All sorts of thoughts were running through my mind.”
What Smoltz didn’t know was that Bobby Cox had had a scout named John Hegman tracking him for days. Cox was still general manager, and the Braves needed a young pitcher with a future, not Doyle Alexander, 36, and in the twilight of his career. Cox himself had taken a look at young Smoltz. It was no quick decision. The Tigers needed a pitcher to finish off their pennant run. Worked out well. Alexander won nine times, the Tigers won their division, but alas, lost in the playoffs. For the Braves, though, it was like striking a gusher.
On his way to Richmond, Smoltz was still churning the positives and the negatives in his mind. “I had time for a lot of self-examination. Had I failed? Wasn’t I good enough? I’d been told so many times you can’t do this, you can’t do that. Was this another time?
“The closer I got to Richmond, the better I began to feel. Then I saw the new ball park [the one the Braves are abandoning now], and it looked big league to me, a big change from the old park in Glens Falls. My outlook improved right away.”
There was no full-time pitching coach at Richmond, so Smoltz was “mainly on my own,” as he put it, “changing from one delivery to another.” Then Leo Mazzone came in and said, “Just throw naturally and we’ll start from there.”
He ripened into a winner in his second season at Richmond, 10-and-5 and a call-up to the Braves, and from that time since he has been an express running the main line. That is, allowing for all those physical interventions. From 1999 to 2002 his record looks like one train wreck after another. All told, including his recent appointment in surgery, he has been on the Braves’ disabled list nine times, but still he toils on and looks ahead. Sadly, his last appearance at Turner Field resulted in a horrid statistic that has come to be known as BS (blown save).
Without any fear of stretching truth, I’d say that the deal made for Smoltz has been the most productive in the modern history of the Braves. He has won 210 games, saved 154, struck out over 3,000 batters, and won 15 times in postseason play, not to mention having driven in 60 runs with his bat. All of this puts him on the front burner for a seat in the Hall of Fame, and seldom is his name mentioned without the signature introductory “Hall of Famer” John Smoltz. There is a tendency to become too careless with such crowning glory. In Smoltz’s case, there are negatives: He has had only one 20-win season. The “save” category is not one that impresses all balloteers. Surely if Bruce Sutter can be elected, John Smoltz should be a walk-in, no matter if he never delivers another pitch.
Whether he will or not is pure speculation. His poor tattered arm has been explored and stitched and re-stitched and reconstructed so many times it’s amazing it’s still attached. Throughout it all, the most amazing thing is that John has gone from starter to reliever and returned to starter and was ready to return to relieving again when the bell tolled this time. I shall quote from a man who should know, Dennis Eckersley, who said that going from starter to reliever, that’s one thing. But then going back to starting after relieving and checking in with three winning seasons,
“Outrageous.”
This time, the clock is ticking.
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By bob
June 6, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks Mr. Bisher for another great artcle. I began reading you and Jesse Outlar in the high school library in the early ’60s. Enjoy the Belmont.
By ronald
June 7, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
I’d love to see Smolts come back next year and pitch again. However, if he never throws another pitch I say “thanks John, you’ve been a great inspiration. No one can ever question your professionalism or dedication. I wish we had more like you.” For that matter, I wish we had Leo back.
By Philliesuk
June 7, 2008 2:07 AM | Link to this
One of the top 5 Atlanta athletes of all time. A true competitor. A professional.
I hope he comes back, but I’m not holding my breath.
By Proud dawg
June 7, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
John Smoltz is truly a hero and role model for ANY athlete! Despite all his accomplishments, he deserves to be inducted just based on his character!
By THWG
June 7, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Bisher for such a heart-felt and inspiring article on one of Atlanta’s greatest athletes. And certainly thank YOU, John Smoltz, for being such a great athlete and, more importantly, such a great member of this community. Atlanta is rooting for your speedy recovery and we hope that you can contribute further to the Braves’ success however possible.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 7, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
I’m of the opinion that John Smoltz has done more than enough. That said, when understanding the competitive fire that fuels such an athlete, I have to wonder if Smoltz is putting his own desires ahead of the needs of the team.
Smoltz had already clearly stated, if another arm surgery is necessary, he would retire. The man has reneged on that statement. And while that is his right, I have to wonder if John’s need to compete is clouding his better judgment.
Father time is telling Smoltz to quit, the surgeons knife awaits followed by another grueling rehab(I’ve been there, done that). My advice is, give Smoltz the chance to reevaluate after all of this, then he will make the correct decision in regards to his future and that of the Braves.
By Proud dawg
June 7, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Coach, while I can understand many of your points to a degree, I have to strongly disagree with your questioning of whether John Smoltz puts his own desires above those of the team. If there has been any athlete with more loyalty, passion, and love for his or her team I would love to hear of them! John Smoltz is the Atlanta Braves and whenever he chooses to step away is for him to decide! I just hope they retire his number because I could not bear to see someone of lesser character wearing that jersey!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 8, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
On the subject of Bobby Cox. The man is simply the most overrated manager in game of baseball. He is also an absolute first ballot Hall of Fame shoe in vote. No, I’m not talking out both sides of my mouth.
Cox is going to the Hall of Fame on the strength of his past achievements. He is clearly past his prime in the present. The man needs to retire before he embarrasses this franchise even more.
The Braves won the World Series in 1995. They last played in the World Series in 1999 and lost. They last won a playoff series in 2001. They last made the playoffs in 2005. The 2008 Braves are currently 32-31 with both the fourth ranked pitching staff and offense in all of MLB.
It’s been one long slow spiral into mediocrity led by Mr. Bobby Cox himself. What will it take before everyone else sees the obvious? How many more seasons of non-playoff baseball will it take?
Don’t get me wrong, I have all the respect in the world for Bobby Cox. I just cannot defend him anymore.
By Tomy Fournier
June 8, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Thanks Mr. Coach….in the end…somebody let me see that I was RIGHT, ABOUT MR. COX….YES, KNOW HE WILL BE A FIRST BALLOT to the Hall Of Fame…but that was for the PAST…not for the present…and in the PAST he was the companion of Mr. Smolt,Mr.Glavine and Mr. Maddox(what about that)…very easy for him..but not now…i’ts different and he do not showing nothing…he is in the back in the best of managering…poor action…point!!!!
By widmarc
June 8, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
The Braves will continue to play below 500 because they don’t care if they win or not. Whats going on with this team? Has the entire team forgotten how to play at the major league level? Make some changes send some players down to Richmond and bring some Richmond players to Atlanta.
I’d be doing some changing if I was Bobby Cox, change something, do something, things can only get worse the way the team is playing. It’s been a long time since the entire team just seems not interested in playing professional baseball. Bench some players and call a team meeting look you people stink either get excited about playing pro-baseball or I’m getting someone who is excited and most of you will be watching the game from the dug out Richmond or another team. If things continue as they have so far Atlanta is sure end up in last place. And if Bobby don’t care if the team wins or not I’m sure Larry Bowa or someone like Larry who will raise cane once in awhile and gets things going would be glad to take over and try to win some games.
widmarcBy Vick B. Dumb
June 15, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN:
Mike Vick’s career path will end at… Arby’s.
“Fetch me me roast beef sammich, BOY!!!”