John Smoltz rejoining Braves as broadcaster

"It's the best of both worlds," Smoltz told the AJC. "I"m thrilled. I couldn't even mastermind such a great opportunity."

Smoltz said he's not sure when an "official" retirement announcement could come. In the meantime, he said he'll continue working out several times a week to stay in playing shape.

But despite previously saying he'd like to pitch again this season, he sounded resolute about his new assignment.

"I'm not disappointed at all," Smoltz said. "This is a direction I'm going to pour my energies into."

Smoltz's partner on the Peachtree TV telecasts, Ernie Johnson Jr., told the AJC he "had no idea" what Smoltz's future plans were but did say, "I'm glad [broadcasting] is what won out for him [over playing]."

Johnson, son of longtime Braves announcer Ernie Johnson Sr., and Smoltz will team with Joe Simpson on Peachtree TV, though Johnson will miss some of those covering the NBA playoffs.

"I thought about [Peachtree TV's offer] for five minutes and said yes," said the younger Johnson. His father called Braves games from 1962-99. "He's very excited about it," said Johnson Jr., who worked briefly as a Braves broadcaster during the mid-90s. "The Braves are very special to our family."

As a fan, Johnson said he was glad to see Smoltz back with the Braves.

"I think everyone's going to be happy to see John back home where he belongs," Johnson said.

Today's announcement comes just days after the Pioneer Press reported that former Braves catcher Greg Olson had encouraged Smoltz to sign with the Minnesota. The Twins' current closer, Joe Nathan, faces season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Smoltz, who signed with Boston last year, acknowledged that his brief stint in the American League didn't meet expectations.

"I tried so hard, probably too hard to perform at the level I always knew," Smoltz said. "At the end of the day, I didn't get it done."

In addition to his work with the MLB Network and Peachtree TV, Smoltz will call games for TBS. The network will employ various announcers -- including Johnson, Dick Stockton, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Smoltz -- for its Sunday game telecasts and postseason coverage.

Smoltz said he's looking forward to being reunited -- sort of -- with his former teammates.

“I'm gonna have fun with the current players that I’ve been with the most," he said. "I’m not trying to be anybody other than who I was as a player.”

Except now, he'll have a microphone.