Going into the 1995 season, John Smoltz was coming off his first of what would be four elbow surgeries over his 21-year career. The player strike-shortened season had not only seen a World Series disappear but the right-hander was seeking to rebound from a 6-10 record and 4.14 ERA.
Smoltz said: “We couldn’t figure it out. We tested everything and I thought it was just a dead arm.’’
But the Braves’ medical staff finally diagnosed his problem and Smoltz had bone chips removed from his right elbow in the offseason. He missed no playing time and even had extra time to rehab as the strike wasn’t settled until April 2.
Smoltz went 12-7 with a 3.18 ERA that year and while he didn’t earn a decision in the three playoff series, he was ready to pitch Game 7 of the World Series if the Braves, behind left-hander Tom Glavine’s eight scoreless innings and a David Justice home run, had not beaten the Indians in clinching Game 6.
Smoltz had a career year the following season, going 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA to win a Cy Young.
Q: With the replacement players in spring training in 1995, how did you prepare for the season?
A: Actually, I played a lot of basketball. It kept me in great shape. I had a team and I remember Chipper (Jones) was on it and I think (Steve) Avery. And then Otis Nixon had a team and I remember Brian Jordan was on it. We played a couple of games, one at Walker High School and I think the other at Mt. Paran (Church). It was a lot of fun but we killed them.
Q: Coming off the elbow surgery, how much did the three extra weeks help?
A: Not really much. I would have been ready. But that season, I felt good about the way I pitched but had those non-decisions in the postseason. Then after that year was the first time I went through an entire offseason with no problems and I ended up having that big season (in '96).
Q: In Game 3 in the World Series against Cleveland, you went just 2 1/3 innings and gave up four runs in a game the Braves would lose 7-6 in 11 innings. What happened?
A: The postseason was not what I wanted. It was like 35 degrees in Cleveland and I couldn't feel the ball. But I was ready to pitch Game 7 if it would have gone that far.
Q: Where were you when the final out was made to win the world title?
A: I was in dugout and couldn't wait to dog pile.
