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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > April > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSmoltz shows his mettle
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After seeing John Smoltz become disabled in the spring and Mike Hampton become disabled before the bullpen door swung open, the Braves’ starting rotation was overdue for something other than Waterloo Sunday.
Somehow, it figured that such a moment would come against the team’s divisional rival and the game’s best pitcher.
“You know how John is,” Tom Glavine said before Sunday’s game against Johan Santana and the New York Mets. “He relishes big games.”
Adrenaline never figured to be an issue for Smoltz. But after making only one late spring start and then slamming on the brakes because of shoulder issues, there were obvious questions about the man’s health.
But Smoltz lives for these situations: the doubts, the fears, the sense of inevitably some get when a television camera catches him wincing on the mound or in the dugout. He showed it again Sunday. He threw five shutout innings in his first start of the season against a team, the Mets, who had scored 29 runs in their first four games. He allowed two hits. He struck out six. He rarely got behind in the count. Also, his arm didn’t fall off — even if “a knot” in his shoulder eventually forced his exit.
“I feel like sooner or later somebody’s going to write, ‘Hey come watch him pitch. This is going to be his last game,’ ” Smoltz said later. “I know that’s part of the territory.”
Before Sunday, even he mentally tiptoed into that territory. No, Smoltz never has had the sense that his career was over. But there were questions in his mind. Given the shoulder and his inability to throw as much as he would’ve liked in the spring, there had to be some doubts.
“There was some unknown in the sense that I didn’t know how sharp I could be,” he said. “Mentally, I knew I would be as sharp as I could be. I just didn’t know if I could execute.”
This is how you define control for a starting pitcher: Smoltz faced 18 batters. He started the count 0-2 or 1-2 against nine of them. He retired 12 of 14 batters after the first inning (when he walked two with two outs, leading to Smoltzian glares at home-plate umpire Gerry Davis following each).
“He was ahead of the count all day long,” manager Bobby Cox said. “That’s so important. It’s the most important thing you can do as a pitcher, along with locating your fastball.” (He did that, too.)
Smoltz started feeling discomfort in the shoulder in the fourth and said he “wasn’t as sharp in the fifth,” although he retired the Mets in order. He came back to the dugout, told Cox and that was it.
“It kills me to not go out there for the sixth and possibly then seventh inning,” he said. “I’m a seven-inning guy. That’s the way it’s going to be this year. But for the first start, I’ll take this.”
Seldom has there been so much misdirection before a start. First came the spring setback, causing Smoltz to miss a start. Then he originally was slated to pitch Sunday, only to have Cox push it back a day following Friday’s rainout — only to get back the assignment after pulling a trade with his teammate, Glavine, who will pitch in the chill of Colorado Monday night).
“I understood John’s concerns with his shoulder,” Glavine said. “Colorado’s not the easiest place to pitch, and it’s not the easiest place to recover from, either.”
So what does Glavine get out of all this? He smiled. “Not sure yet,” he said. “I’ll probably get it back on the golf course.”
The importance of April wins can be overstated. But given the backdrop, this was significant. Smoltz put this match-up in proper context the other day. When asked about facing Santana, the Mets’ $137.5 million acquisition, he said, “Well, it’s me against me right now.”
He expects to make his next start Friday in Washington. There won’t be nearly as much buildup for that start, and the Braves’ are fine with that. They’ve had enough drama.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By Brian
April 6, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Classic Smoltz.
By Matt
April 6, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
That’s Smoltzie for ya. And what a game it was today!
By RG
April 6, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
ESPN is getting old. Just watched the highlights on ESPNews. As great as Smoltzie pitched, they showed the following highlights: 1. Santana warming up before the game 2. David Wright diving play (deservedly) 3. Texeira home run.
Then after the box score was shown. They show a screen comparing Santana’s first two starts in 07 vs. 08. Good news for Mets lovers, his ERA and walks are down. Never mind the fact that he got outpitched by our soon to be 41-year old ace!!!
ESPN is now the despised “Mainstream Media” of sports. They have their favorites and that’s all you see.
After what they did with the BCS and Bowl selections in CFB, then more of the same with seedings for March Madness, I have had it.
Hopefully the boys at Augusta National will put them in their place when they bring their bias to the Masters coverage they got.
This Braves team is a good team. No weak spots in the line up unless Prado is playing. I will look forward to Gonzalez coming back because our bullpen is still very shaky. Soriano was reminding me of Dan Kolb out there.
By hop
April 6, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
baseball is a very long season with much ebb and flow associated with it.
the one concern, if it continues could be major is the starting rotation.
if they cannot get more innings pitch per start, the bullpen will be out of gas by june 1st if not sooner.
hamption and smotzie may not have enough in the tank to last very long and that is a huge concern.
braves can score runs ,but the starters and closer represent a very huge question mark.
By tb
April 6, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Re. ESPN: Not to mention that Baseball Tonight’s Web Gems didn’t include the Kotsay-Tex double play, nor Tex’s game-ending stop on the line.
To cut them some slack, they didn’t include Wright’s play, either.
By LivininAL
April 6, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Well RG at least we did not have to watch it on ESPN. Get so tired of McCarver’s ANAL-yzing going on and on and on… GO Braves..Some quality starts to begin the year!
By Ward
April 6, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Smoltz is a WARRIOR!!!!
By Brady
April 6, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Well put RG (8:17pm)!
By Bo
April 6, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Smoltz has the Will Power, Desire, and a Heart of Gold and the Man upstairs on his side.
By Big Dawg
April 6, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
When Bobby Cox hangs it up…SMOLTZ would make a great Mgr.
By SFC BRENT E. BAGLEY
April 6, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Smoltz was fantastic. If we could win the one-runners, we’ll be fine.
By Noch-a-homa
April 6, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
It was a great game. I watched it on my computer (live in FL), I kept score too. I’m a geek that way, kept score for Hudson’s game yesterday on Fox. By my count Smoltz threw 77 pitches, 50 for strikes. He did a great job. The first couple of innings his fastball was hitting 94-96 mph, I was surprised after reading all the stuff about off speed pitches etc.
Loved Tex’s homer, his game ending stab and Kotsay’s dp was super!
RE: ESPN - I gave up on them a long time ago. The only thing I occasionally watch is Mike and Mike on espn2. I can’t stand Sunday night baseball. It’s the worse, last Sunday night was torture and that was before Zimmerman hit the game winner.
Yep, baseball is a long season, I believe the Braves have a very competitive team but I do believe they are walking a tight rope re injuries and getting quality innings from the starters. There is not a lot of room for error by my estimation.
By bravesfanbob
April 7, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Smoltzie was as good as it gets today! I’ve said for the last 17 years, and I still say so today, if I could choose anyone in baseball to pitch the 7th game of the World Series, it would be John Smoltz. By the way, he won’t be a manager. He will become on of the top broadcasters in baseball, and will be one for many years, unless he plays the Champions (Senior) Tour on the PGA. The odds on him making the tour is probably 50/50.
By Runnin
April 7, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this
I think Smoltz could be a good manager if he put his mind to it, but he might need to change his personality some. Managers have to hold their tongue most of the time and Smoltz would have a hard time doing that.
By WILL
April 7, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this
the braves cost me alot of money yesterday,but i will make it back up today and this week as colorado will win 3of 4, this colorado team did go to the world series last year,and this braves team wont go anywhere except home come october,the pitching staff,starters and overworked bullpen wont last long the way the great bobby cox thinks,and soriano well remember this braves fans,yesterday if tex doesnt hit the hr in the 8th that game would have been the mets,but smoltz is the best player ,the best pitcher in baseball since 92,and that is baseball friends,and espn sux,all of them, except colin cowart.
By ed ulinsky
April 7, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this
A SAVE for Soriano? I give the SAVE to Texiera.
By ed ulinsky
April 7, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
A SAVE for Soriano? I give the SAVE to Texiera.
By Susan
April 7, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
I am glad Smoltz pitched against Santana. Glavine I dont feel would have done so well. Smoltz still has the stare too. One that cut right through the umpire inthe 1st inning after all those strikes were called balls. OMG the ump was way bad the first inning.
By jeff
April 7, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
The only Amazin’ thing about the Mutts is their history making 2007 end of season collapse. My guess is Santana will repeat his 2007 15-13 record. $120 million doesn’t buy what it used to.
By Supes
April 7, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
ESPN is heavily biased towards all NY and Boston teams, always has, always will be.
Maybe there should be ESPN regional coverage, where the have their Conn. Headquarters, then another in Atlanta, another in LA, another in Dallas, TX. That way all teams across the country get fair coverage!
I’m gonna love it to see how they’re going to try and spin it when the Mets collapse this season…which we know it’s going to happen and Randolph will get fired.
By vesaversa
April 7, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
great game
By Gene
April 7, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is a great competitor with character to match. With his intelligence and sense of humor, he would make an excellent commentator, hopefully for the Braves, when his playing days are over.
By Beth in P'Cola
April 7, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Fantastic game - most fun I’ve had at the ball park in ages. Makes up for Friday night and trying to put sauce on my Skip barbeque with rain dripping from the roof right on the sauce machine - come on guys - you can do better than that!! Even I could move the sauce machine out of the rain gutter.
By Yehuda Hamer
April 7, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Every pitcher needs to have the attitude of Smoltzie!
By Yehuda Hamer
April 7, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Every pitcher needs to have the attitude of Smoltzie!
By cwartillery
April 7, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
If you really love baseball you had to enjoy that game; although the Mets fans spent a lot of time on the edge of their seats. Great pitching, minimal mistakes and lots of excitement. It seems overlooked that Johan only gave up 1 run over 7 innings which will get him a win 9 times out of 10. But Smoltz came with his A-game and it was too much for the Mets.
And hats off to the bull pen for a super job other than Soriano. I sure hope Soriano gets his control in place or it may be a frustrating year for us Braves fans.
By TPM
April 7, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Smoltz pitched a good game, but let’s not get too excited. This team needs more than 5 innings out of it’s starters.
They will not win without someone stepping up and pitching 7 or 8 innings once in awhile. The already suspect bullpen will be wear down by August
By No Dawgs Here
April 7, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
John Smoltz was just plain out AWESOME!! But, also give some love to the bullpen. Smoltz only pitched 5 innings, which means the bullpen pitched the other 4. If we can get this production the whole year, the Bravos should win 100 games. Way to go!!
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 7, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
No Dawgs Here - you’re right, the bullpen deserves their credit. I wasn’t able to watch the game yesterday afternoon, though I was able to keep up with it via text messages and phone calls. When I heard that Smoltz was leaving after only the 5th and that the Braves only had a one-run lead, my thoughts instantly went to “well I wonder how many runs the Mets are gonna score here,” especially considering how badly our pen pitched last week. I imagined the TV announcers commentating: “well Smoltz is coming out, and you can bet that the Mets are happy about that.” When I turned on the radio an hour or so later, and I heard “…terrific play by David Wright!…Going into the eighth inning, Braves up 1-0,” I was very pleasantly surprised.
Re Prado being a weak spot in the lineup: I don’t really think so. He hasn’t struck out yet, nor has he grounded into any double plays. He puts the ball in play, and he’s contributed well so far. And despite being only 2-for-7, he’s hit the ball quite hard. I know that he’s inexperienced, has his weaknesses, and he’s not Kelly Johnson, but he’s a good hitter.
By cwartillery
April 7, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
For his first game back, 5 innings was probably better than we should have expected; especially given his 25 pitch 1st inning. He’ll probably pitch 6 his next and 7+ after that on a consistant basis. He’ll definitely need to build up strength as he’s proably a week or so behind the others.
But agreed… soon the starters other than Smoltz and Hudson will need to go deeper or we’ll be in the same tired bullpen boat as last year. I have no doubt that Glavine will step it up. And I feel pretty good about Jair being a good 6 or 7 inning guy most of the time. Time will tell on the #4 and #5 starters. We really need to get Hampton back into the mix.
By Joel K. Jones
April 7, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
For the first start, JOHN SMOLTZ pitched an absolutely perfect game for his five innings of work. Had the knot come up on the shoulder, he would have gone at least seven and continue to zero the Mets.
By Joel K. Jones
April 7, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
For the first start, JOHN SMOLTZ pitched an absolutely perfect game for his five innings of work. Had the knot not come up on the shoulder, he would have gone at least seven and continue to zero the Mets.
By JSS
April 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
“The Man Upstairs” didn’t save his marriage! Get your priorities in order baseball fans, it is just a game…
But I will say this, John Smoltz is a gamer, enjoy him while he lasts.
Jeff Schultz is still a NO TALENT HACK!!!
By by johnny
April 7, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
What a baseball player in Kotsay.Best trade the braves made. Thank God idon’t have to watch the strike out king anymore. Dodger fans watched him strike out 3 times sunday.
By BA
April 10, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this
Took a lot of guts to write a “Smoltz is great” article, Schultz. What’s next, “Bonds is bad”?