AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 18
Monday, September 18, 2006
Respect Smoltz’s authority, stats
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Smoltz apparently reads the Braves Blog and last week he didn’t like what appeared.
The Florida Marlins paid the price for his outrage.
Smoltz was upset that his three-game losing streak was mentioned along side his age and responded with a vengeful performance.
All great competitors like extra incentive and Smoltz had it in outdueling Florida rookie sensation Anibel Sanchez for a 2-1 victory Saturday night.
Smoltz is a future Hall of Famer because he is at his best in the biggest games, as his postseason record shows. This wasn’t a pivotal game for the out-of-the-race Braves, but it obviously was for Smoltz.
He didn’t want to lose four consecutive games as a starter for the first time since 1994. He didn’t want anyone thinking that 39 wasn’t still the prime of a great pitcher’s life.
Smoltz may be thin-skinned at times, but there is nothing wrong with that. It just gets his competitive juices - already overflowing - going even more.
Smoltz is right in thinking that he has had an outstanding season in a very frustrating year for the Braves. Before the recent blip, he was a Cy Young Award candidate and maybe the National League’s hottest starter.
The Braves - or any team - would be better off full of players’ with Smoltz’s fire. The Braves Blog didn’t rekindle it last week, it just turned it up a little hotter.
Smoltz is a bargain for the Braves with an $8 million option for next season and hopefully will pitch more years than that in Atlanta.
No player contributed more to the Braves’ streak of 14 straight consecutive division titles than Smoltz and seeing the run end has been difficult for the pitcher.
Respect his ultra-competitiveness. And don’t make him mad.
