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DEL.ICIO.USFoxworthy talks Smoltz, charity work
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Foxworthy says it’ll be odd to see his buddy in a Red Sox uniform, but he’ll cheer him on
Of all the Braves fans upset about John Smoltz leaving for Boston, no one’s more bummed than his buddy, comedian Jeff Foxworthy.
“It’s sad to me,” Foxworthy said during an interview Tuesday. “I don’t think he ever envisioned this day coming.”
Foxworthy was at a family wedding in Texas as Smoltz was finalizing plans to make the move.
“He kept calling me and said, ‘you’re not going to be mad at me are you?’”
Of course not, Foxworthy responded. He said it’ll be strange to see Smoltz in a Red Sox uniform, but that he’ll support his friend’s new team.
“I hope they go to the World Series,” said Foxworthy, adding he’ll probably fly to Boston one weekend to cheer Smoltz at his new job site. “He was a pretty good face for the (Braves) franchise.”
Indeed, Smoltz and Foxworthy are both known for their community involvement. They recently teamed up at a charity event that raised money for the pitcher’s foundation. Coming up, Foxworthy is to be honored Feb. 20 at the Fun Fete, benefiting Prevent Child Abuse Georgia.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation will also be recognized at the event, to be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead.
“Let’s face it - parenting is hard work,” said DePriest Waddy, CEO of PCA Georgia. “Jeff’s sense of humor has helped many of us get through those hard times. We have always admired his work and his passion for children and families.”
Tickets to Fun Fete are $250 each. E-mail jenniferh@pcageorgia.org, call404-870-6589 or see the PCA Georgia Web site.
Foxworthy, who said his favorite Christmas presents are always the letters his teenage daughters write him, said he’s glad to support PCA Georgia.
“For whatever I didn’t have growing up I didn’t have to go through (abuse),” he said. “We didn’t have a lot, be we knew we were loved.”
His pal Smoltz won’t be able to attend, since he’ll be heading to spring training with his new team.
By the way, Foxworthy said, the Braves sought to put his celebrity to use when hashing out the $60 million deal with Derek Lowe.
“I got a message from the Braves PR department. Derek Lowe was coming in and they wanted me to come talk him into joining the Braves,” Foxworthy said. “I was like, not after what you did to my buddy.”
You might be a loyal friend if …
Comments
By William
January 13, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
Please get over it, Mr. Foxworthy. This is a business. Players get paid a lot of money whether they produce or not. The Braves made a business decision. They decided that they actually had to have a dependable starter in order to field the best team. They chose Lowe, not your buddy. Perhaps you could have paid half of his salary to be here. Mr. Smoltz is already wealthy. He made a decision to go to a team that would give him a chance to win. What a sacrifice! I know people who have lost their jobs making only $20,000 or so…so please cry us all a river. I do hope that Mr. Smoltz has all the success in the world in Boston but this was his choice.
By Darth Hater
January 13, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
At the very least, the average redneck is STILL smarter than Frank Wren.
Don’t believe it?
Just ask Peter Angelos
or Cal Ripken, JR
or John Smoltz
or Rafael Furcal
or “MRS.” Frank Wren
By Peter Gammons
January 13, 2009 5:26 PM | Link to this
You think Jeff Foxworthy did not help the Braves in this case?
FYI: The inept Frank Wren doesn’t exactly HELP the Braves, either.
By Lyle
January 13, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
Who gives a rat’s a* what Jeff Foxworthy has to say.
By Mike
January 13, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
Thank you for such a great response, William. I am one of the unemployed right now. Your reponse was SO TRUE!!! I am a native Atlantan and used to be very passionate about baseball and the Braves. I was one of their biggest fans. But two strikes recently, and the attitude of players like Smoltz (who seem to be talking out of both sides of their mouths at the same time)have taken away that passion. It’s about time everyone realizes that baseball is a business! The Braves want to be a contender again. John Schmoltz has many millions already, yet he was willing to leave over just a few more. What’s wrong with the Braves wanting a pitcher that could actually deliver this year?!
By josh
January 13, 2009 5:39 PM | Link to this
2 strikes recently? the last one was 15 years ago. i’m nearly 30 and i have no clue when the second strike was that you’re talking about. i’m sure it happened if you say it did, but it certainly can’t be categorized as recently.
By Dogfan
January 13, 2009 5:49 PM | Link to this
I am not surprised the Braves let Smoltz get away. The Braves stopped being a contender when they became part of the Time Warner deal. At that point they became a corporate team and they continue to slide lower and lower. It’s not surprising that the Red Sox signed him. The Red Sox and Yankees are not corporate teams, and they are willing to put money into their teams. They can afford to take a chance and spend money on a player. The Braves can only take chance on a player if its free. That’s why they are considering bringing Andrew Jones back. He has had two terrible seasons, but we could get for almost nothing. It was great while the Ted Turner era lasted, maybe another Arthur Blank will come along and give the Braves a chance for respectability.
By David
January 13, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
So let me get this straight….the Braves have sunk low enough to where they have to try to use a comedian to attract players, rather than their credibility as a baseball franchise?
By Joe
January 13, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
Yes, yes, yes… Smoltz made millions as a Brave. He has also taken less money to stay in Atlanta. The Braves always try to play the “Be a Homer” card when it comes to new contracts. Smoltz and numerous other players have tried to help the team with payroll so they could spend more money and get the players they needed. When does that end for a player? MLB is a business, but Braves ownership will have to adjust it’s attitude if the Franchise is going to get back to it’s winning ways. I cannot blame Smoltz for finally seeing that no matter how ready he was going to be for next season, the writting was on the wall. The Braves did not really want him back. Too bad the Braves didn’t have the same attitude with Hampton.
Atleast Smoltz didn’t go to the Yankees…
By Father of 5
January 13, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this
Trust me, the Braves lost many life long fans thanks to Wren.
By WWJD?
January 13, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
I’m getting sick of all this whining!
John Smolz is a sell-out PERIOD! The Braves paid him MILLIONS to sit on his butt last year and this is how he pays back the fans?????
Shut up Chipper Jones, shut up Jeff Foxworthy! John Smoltz sold out to the highest bidder. A 41 year old injury prone selfish man.
WWJD?????????
By threestrikes
January 13, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this
My sympathies to Jeff on losing his best buddy and neighbor to Boston (loved seeing y’all’s “competition” videos at John’s charity event in November), and a big boo hisssss to the Braves for making yet another bad decision that will be more costly in the long run.
To the team and the MLB: This long-time fan has had it. I’ll follow baseball again when y’all start coming up with some really good reasons for me to do so.
By Mr Fury
January 13, 2009 6:22 PM | Link to this
You are not a Braves fan if you don’t support them. Smoltz is in Boston because he chose the Red Sox over the Braves. If I were in his shoes I would have played on the cheap for Atlanta. THAT IS IF YOU CAN CALL 2.5 MILLION + INCENTIVES CHEAP. I’m a bigger Braves fan than ever and less of a Smoltz fan. I wonder how Smoltz would handle the situation if it were him in the GM spot?
By Eric
January 13, 2009 6:28 PM | Link to this
Cant’ say I’m surprised or blame him. I’m not a Braves fan per se; I’ve lived in Atlanta for 10 years and gone to a couple of the games each year. But the Braves reallys screwed the pooch with the way they handled it. It looks like their on their way back; in the opposite direction!
By bravehawkfalcon
January 13, 2009 6:30 PM | Link to this
IS JEFF FOXWORTHY TAKING THE MOUND OR BATTING WITH RISP?? THEN WHO GIVES A FLYING F*** WHAT HE SAYS!!
By athdog
January 13, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this
Wow, I’m sure the Braves’ will play to an empty Ted now that one joke Foxworthy is not going to ‘help’ them.
Seriously, he’s a good guy, and Smoltz will be missed. BUT, Smoltz is 42, that’s FOURTY-TWO, with seven surgeries on his arm. We need to start rebuilding, folks. You don’t do that with a 42 year old. Sure it would be great to have him in the dugout helping the young pitchers, but Liberty will not pay that kind of money for a half-season player. Our more immediate concern is second base…Lowe’s a ground ball pitcher, you know.
By Bubdylan
January 13, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
If you’ve ever mistaken the city of Atlanta for a town that gives a blue poop what a redneck huckster thinks of a GM’s dealings with a megalomaniac pitcher, you might be Jeff Foxworthy.
By thr2
January 13, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
Sorry that Jeff is mad at the Braves because 2.5 million wasn’t enough even if John couldn’t do his job. Plus a lot more if he could. Oh and let’s not forget the 14 million last year for very little. Gee Jeff, John might be your friend but common sense has to come unto play sometimes.
By Jake
January 13, 2009 6:57 PM | Link to this
You might be a douchebag if…
By DHD
January 13, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
It’s not like Foxworthy held a press conference. The Braves called him and asked him to talk to Lowe. He turned them down because he and Smoltz are best friends. It would have looked like a stab in the back to do that to your best friend. Foxworthy was asked about it and the AJC reported it. He didn’t offer his opinion, he was asked about it. WWJD?? John would take the 5 mil. So would I.
By Peter
January 13, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
Well ……… WWJD?????????…..
Apparently you didn’t read the offers from each team…….
Red Sox were happy to get him, they offered him a fair rate, a first day on the roster bonus, end of year on the roster bonus, and other stuff, like a bonus for come back player of the year, Cy young winner, all-star team bonus, etc. all stuff that could happen.
Braves were offering 1/2 the basic salary to John…… and demanding too many innings he could never pitch, all that to make close to the same money the Red Sox offered for him to just sign.
Braves blew it…..If you want to talk about GREED let’s talk Glavin.
They signed a FAT Glavin last year….Now that tell us how smart they really are, after a pathetic season in New York !
Smoltz could have left along time ago, but stuck it out with us….he was real…..Braves have shown they are not.
By JFKDawg
January 13, 2009 7:55 PM | Link to this
If Foxworthy would have just stopped at no. What the Braves did to his poor buddy? I normally enjoy Jeff but he seems to have abdicated to the whiny millionaire’s club.
I wish somebody paid me $14M to pitch 28 innings. This is just an example of what is wrong with sports today. There is no I in TEAM but there are three in millionaire. Not sure how many millions poor John needs but obviously more than what he’s got.
By Fred
January 13, 2009 8:27 PM | Link to this
Jeff who?????
Grows up in Atlanta, but is a Braves fan only since he buddied up to Smoltz in 1990?
Jeff, who was your favorite team before John?? Some loyal fan - good riddance.
If you are asked a yes/no question and you make it a paragraph long answer - you might just me a prima donna!!!!!
By jim
January 13, 2009 8:38 PM | Link to this
Jeff, get the idea no one really cares about your feelings in the matter. Without the Braves, smoltz is thrown out with the bathwater..fact is, he wanted bid $$$ this year without taking ANY risk..mark my words..come July, hes back in a sling…John, take care of your kids, jocktime only is over
By Mark
January 13, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this
Let’s see - Hampton, Smoltz & Glavine combined to go 8-10 while pitching 169.1 innings last year at a price tag of $39 million.
I say it’s about time the Braves concentrated more on putting a winning team on the field than holding an old timers game every fifth day!
Way to go Braves - you did the unpopular thing but it will pay off in the long run.
By Robert
January 13, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
We don’t even know if john will be able to pitch when it comes time. What does everybody think this is the lets get injured and the will keep paying me.
We have done that with hampton and pretty much chipper.
By John J.
January 13, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
After paying to see Foxworthy at a outdoor concert in Claxton Ga and have him start preaching, I have no respect for him. I guess he got my money just like Smoltz went for the money!
By Love Him
January 13, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
John J…You apparently do not know much about Jeff if you are shocked he preached to you…He is a Christian and I think it is great that he shows Christ to people like you, that is what God ask of him. Maybe you should have listened. As for Smoltzy…Atlanta will always love him and appreciate all that he did here. It would have been great for him to end his career here, but the Braves Management has screwed up a lot of people…and unfortun. those that are The Atlanta Braves have all gone…and no Chipper doesnt fit in that catagory…he is an idiot. Smoltzy you are a great guy and will be missed
By PlusSizeModel
January 13, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
There is no way I could care less about what Jeff Foxworthy thinks about this. I give him credit for writing one joke that happened to take in a life of it’s own and make him millions, however. Talk about marginal talent getting a great break!
By ExNorthGaBravesFan
January 13, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
Jeff, Don’t Blame you one bit…would not have helped them myself…in fact won’t go see them, listen to them or watch them until Frank Wren is fired and run out of town for what he did to Smoltz….Watch out Chipper your next on Mr. Goofy Smiling Wren’s list.
By thad
January 13, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this
smoltz didnt even give the braves a chance to counter offer.
smoltz wanted to go. and besides, he had an offer. what about loyalty to your team?? he had inentive contract for the same about as boston. just not the guarantee. smoltz is the one who left us!!!!!!!!
By dadgum
January 13, 2009 10:25 PM | Link to this
Foxworthy has lost a fan.. well thats not true I neber was one. U might be a redneck if you have a big ole man crush on Traitor Johnny smoltz
By Bill
January 13, 2009 11:01 PM | Link to this
The Red Sox have made alot of new fans in Atlanta. The Braves never learn the human side of sports. But they keep bring back the old dead wood (A Jones). After 42 years they can go to h—-, until Wren and Cox are gone.
By Larry J
January 14, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
Good for Jeff Foxworthy.
David O’Brien and the other AJC sportswriters think all of the fans should just say, “That’s OK. We got Derek Lowe and this other guy.”
No way.
As a fan of the Atlanta Braves for nearly 30 years, this is disgraceful. It would not have killed this organization to up the guarantee by 2-3 million, especially for a man who has been the face of the franchise for so long.
Frank Wren and company screwed this one up big time. I’m not giving up on the Braves, but things have changed.
By gabriel
January 14, 2009 1:21 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is near the end of his career he deserves another ring, his best shot is at Boston. My loyalty is to my team not a single player I would love to see Smoltz here until he retired, but he was hurt and isn’t worth that kinda money with the Braves limited spending.
By gabriel
January 14, 2009 1:21 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is near the end of his career he deserves another ring, his best shot is at Boston. My loyalty is to my team not a single player I would love to see Smoltz here until he retired, but he was hurt and isn’t worth that kinda money with the Braves limited spending.
By gabriel
January 14, 2009 1:22 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is near the end of his career he deserves another ring, his best shot is at Boston. My loyalty is to my team not a single player I would love to see Smoltz here until he retired, but he was hurt and isn’t worth that kinda money with the Braves limited spending.
By gabriel
January 14, 2009 1:23 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is near the end of his career he deserves another ring, his best shot is at Boston. My loyalty is to my team not a single player I would love to see Smoltz here until he retired, but he was hurt and isn’t worth that kinda money with the Braves limited spending.
By gabriel
January 14, 2009 1:23 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is near the end of his career he deserves another ring, his best shot is at Boston. My loyalty is to my team not a single player I would love to see Smoltz here until he retired, but he was hurt and isn’t worth that kinda money with the Braves limited spending.
By Tony M.
January 14, 2009 6:59 AM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Foxworthy. Please note you are not smarter than a 3rd grader if you consider what JS did loyalty. He has all the money ever could spend and still took off to Boston with his washed up shoulder for a buck. I would love hear what John’s ex wife has to say about his loyalty. These guys make me sick. I hope he never throws another pitch for those bums. maybe when he goes the HOF he will wear a Boston uni. Don’t let the Eddie Haskell routine with the press fool you John Smoltz is a cocky arrogant jerk to those who aren’t on his level. I hope the former Mrs. Smoltz’s divorce lawyer is the reason he is still grubbing for money. Thanks for the last memory pal and don’t blame it on the Braves, without them you would still be a punk in Detroit, not hanging with Tiger and the redneck joker.
By Ben Huffman
January 14, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this
Jeff wants the Braves to pay Smoltz to sit for six months in hopes that he may make it back. Sounds like the UAW to me.
I thought jeff was smarter than that.
If you want to get paid for doing nothing….you might be
By chris
January 14, 2009 7:33 AM | Link to this
I agree with the comments about Smoltz beeing cocky and arrogant ! I play in the Children’s Hospital Event every year and Smoltz always acted like he was above everybody….Jeff Francoeur on the other hand is a great guy and very humble !
By RojoNeck
January 14, 2009 7:36 AM | Link to this
You might be a redneck when you act like a jerk showing man-love over a baseball player.
By Bill C.
January 14, 2009 7:38 AM | Link to this
When it comes down to it, no matter what fans think, a man has to do what is best for himself and his family. Baseball is a business, like any other professional sport. Question? If YOU were coming off of a severe injury like Smoltz, would you take a lot more money to move to a different job if offered? Thanks for all the memories, John, and good luck in Boston. Hope to see you play against the Braves in the WS!
By azcat225
January 14, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Frank Wren—-Living proof that the Peter Principle is still alive and well.
By Niels Boor
January 14, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
William: “Please get over it, Mr. Foxworthy. This is a business. Players get paid a lot of money whether they produce or not. The Braves made a business decision.”
William, Mike, bravehawkfalcon, et al — Foxworthy was not speaking as a fan, but as a friend of Smoltz’.
If one of your friends got laid off by their company where they had worked for twenty years, would you attempt to console them by telling them to get over it — it was a “business decision”? (I know the situation’s not the same, but as far as leaving, it’s similar.)
I assure you that’s not what I told my brother when it happened to him last year. (He, like Smoltz, was lucky enough to find another job.)
WWJD????????? Who cares? JC sucks.
By Arthur House
January 14, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this
Mr. Foxworthy, You are not a true Braves fan. they did nothing to Smoltz. He was paid well and treated well by the Braves and the fans. If the braves asked me to help them sign a player I would jump at the chance. Smoltz is very rich just like you. He chose to take the offer and more power to him. i hope the Bosox get to the world Series and if the braves arent there I hope Smoltz pitches them to victory. But I am disappointed by your hissy fit. i understand that y’all are good friends but it was his choice . please put the braves first not individuals. i have been a braves fan since 1966. I have seen Aaron, Nieko, Murphy, etc. go. hated , Sometimes i got mad, but always a Braves fan. Reconsider your stance.
By Bill
January 14, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
“Foxworthy, you are not a true Braves fan.”Arthur
That may are may not be true, but Foxworthy is a true friend to Smoltz. I’m sure that means more to him than doing the Braves a favor.
Do I like what Wren and Cox have done the last 18 months, No! I do know that Its a business etc….but I don’t like management period. I do back the players.
By TBraveFan
January 14, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
I just left Mr. Foxworthy a message on his web site - turn about is fair play - if he is no longer a Braves fan because his buddy bolted for Boston - then there’s a whole lot of Braves fans that are no longer Jeff Foxworthy fans.
Feel free to post your own response: www.jefffoxworthy.com
By David McClure
January 14, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this
My feelings exactly. I was a Braves fan long before Smoltz. I recall the names Milan, Sonny Jackson, Felipe Alou, Carty, Boyer, Cloninger, and yes Aaron and Neikro (members of the ‘69 NL East Champs). What Smoltz did wasn’t about honor, it was about MONEY. Don’t tell me thet Smoltz wasn’t given royal treatment by the Braves (past and present). Fans remember!
By chris rollins
January 14, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
good stuff Jeff, the Braves new GM Frank Wren is a total jerk. He sat by and let the face of our franchise HAVE to go to another team do to his inept ability to think things through clearly. THANK YOU FRANK WREN YOU JUST SCREWED THE A FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER
By TheColdHardTruth
January 15, 2009 11:39 PM | Link to this
Jeff Foxworthy, the moron with the stupid redneck jokes. Who cares what he thinks. As far as Smoltz, he bolted from the team that paid him good money all of his career. If you look back Smoltz always has been kind of a cry baby when he did not get his way. Good riddance to old news. If he has a good year with Boston, fine. I figure he will probably be out most of the year. Foxworthy should take his washed up career and go with him. Smoltz wanted all the money at one time, in case he winds up on his a* another year. He was to scared to take an incentive type contract, because more than likely he could not produce enough to earn it. Don’t let the door slam behind you Smoltzie.
By Eli
January 16, 2009 3:00 AM | Link to this
I’m 21 years old, and I have been a Braves fan for all of my life. They helped me get thru the hardest times of my childhood, and to see the response from fans to this article, I am totally shocked. First of all, what kind of statement are you making about your character and class when you say the Braves sold out on Smoltz, or that Smoltz sold out on the Braves, then you go on to say how you are fed up with the Braves and are no longer a fan? I’ll tell you this about my character. I’m a fan until the day I die, because I’m loyal. Not to the players, not to the coaches or ownership, but to the club. To the team. Through thick and thin, I’ll remain a fan, because the last time a stretch like this happened, the Braves came out in 92, shocked the world and won a championship, not to mention the fact that they created a dynasty of 13 division titles in a row. I mean come on guys! We still have an awesome young team, and with the addition of these two pitchers in Lowe and Vasquez, the rotation should be solid. Lowe, V, Jurrjens, The Asian guy they signed, and Hudson later in the season. It is going to get better soon and those of you who leave now, don’t try to cough your balls back up when we start winning again.