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According, to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves RHP John Smoltz will have season-ending shoulder surgery.
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
According to Mark Bowman at MLB.com, the Braves have scheduled an 11:30 am press conference at Turner Field, where they are expected to discuss the future of Smoltz.
…i wonder if he’s going to announce his retirement…i mean, it’s a little weird to have a press conference to just announce surgery…
Smoltz returned from the disabled list on Monday, June 2, pitching from the bullpen instead of the rotation to help limit the stress on his shoulder, but allowed two runs on three hits in a blown save.
I’m not devastated
Hmm… now if he is in NY he gets bashed for being too old.
Damn, I was just coming on to wonder if Glavine is devastated. Good job Headliner.
They lose Smoltz now and Glavine at the
end of the season. Sounds like trouble in
Mudville.
Well, for those who said that the Phillies were the team to worry about this year, you were right.
They draw Volquez tonight and they throw out the Brett Myers. Reds need to take a game off of Philly here.
Volquez is more then due to come back down to earth.. it will probably happen tonight.
that’s definitely a huge loss to them. I thought he’d at least be available in the pen. I wonder what kind of deal they’ll swing to bring in someone new, or whether they’ll just use what they have…but you’d have to think with some of the guys they have now (cough, Texiera) they’d try to do something to stay in contention.
Braves prob calling padres to get Greg Maddux back right now… Glavine will need a new golf partner.
I totally agree, my “hatred” for the Braves aside, I have a certain amount of repsect for Smoltz and Chipper as well. While Maddux is a first ballot HOF’r Smoltz was always the one I worried about as I knew Maddux would stop pitching after throwing 68 pitches through 7 innings and leave it to the ‘Pen. Smoltz would give anything to try and win and I can respect that. Now, I hope Atlanta doesn’t win another game all year, (except for when they play the Phils and Fish) but Im will miss Smoltz as he is one of the few Braves who could be on my team anytime.
Because Smoltz played such a huge part in the Braves 4-game sweep of the Mets in May.
The Braves won’t be there in the end. After game 162 they will go home, just like the last 2 years.
I’d just like to say as a Mets fan who hates the Braves, I respect John Smoltz a ton. He’s an absolute gamer and I’ve admired him for much of his career. I wouldn’t go on and assume the Braves have no chance, but this definitely hurts them.
OH WELL!
I agree. I hate the guy, but respect him. Once he, Glavine, and Chipper retire, the rivalry I grew up with will be officially over.
Congrats on a borderline hall of fame career john.
Man, I am not much of a stat guy, but from what I do know of Smoltz, he seems more like a lock for the HOF.
He’s a NO DOUBT HOFer… only guys with 200+ wins and 150+ saves in MLB history… strikeout numbers are HOF caliber as well… He’s a first ballot, no questions asked HOFer
I’m hoping you were joking with that “borderline” remark. The guy is obviously a hall of famer - I’m not a stat guy either but isn’t he the only guy with like 200 wins and 200 saves or something? I could care less what the exact numbers are he’s an absolute bull dog on the mound, he’s intense, he went and became one of the game’s top closers for a few years, and then he went on back to the rotation to dominate hitters as a starter once more. My hat’s off to you, John, and may your hat stay off for good.
Yeah, like the rest of ‘em, I don’t get the “borderline” call. He has been dominant his entire career and a bona fide ace when it mattered most, although he is a jackass from what my friends have told me.
Larry on the other hand… as much as I hate the dude, one year he would answer his door on Halloween to sign kids’ gloves… I hope he hits .400, I wonder how much that Rawlings will cost in the future!
Both are easily first-ballot, though.
Let me explain why I view him as a borderline HOF, not a sure thing:
-He only won more than 17 games once in his career.
-7 seasons of double digit losses
-Best ERA as a starter was 2.85, far from dominant.
-Only 1 Cy Young
-Very good closer for 2+ years
-1-4 in WS in his career, 12-12 career postseason.
To me, he seems like a pretty good pitcher who had one really good year as a starter and one amazing year as a closer. That doesn’t strike me as a sure-fire first ballot hall of famer. Maybe I just like my hall of famers to be more dominant than Smoltz was.
Smoltz is a first-ballot HOFer. Cooperstown should take exception to the 2-entrants per year rule and induct Smoltz ALONGSIDE Maddux and Glavine (should they ALL retire after this year).
baseball doesn’t have a 2 entrants per year rule. Anyone who gets at least 75% of the ballots is inducted. Smoltz wasn’t as great as you all seem to think he is.
Well getting out to an early lead on them last season didn’t work, so we’ll try the reverse!
yep, this will probably kill the Braves just like losing Utley for a month late last season killed the Phillies…oh, wait.
Are you saying that the Braves are going to sign Tad Iguchi to play 2nd base and hit fly balls over the fence in Williamsport?
Hmmm, I wonder if he hangs it up. He’s going to have a tough road ahead of him.
I bet he does, and he, Glavine and Maddux all go into the Hall togteher
Good call Jamie. I hate them, but I’d like to be at Cooperstown when they go in, just for the historical value of it.
oddly enough, I always liked all 3 of them (at least up until Game 161 and 1/3 IP last year). I’m a fan of old school pitching dominance, and as much as I hated the Braves, I respected that they were built around one of the great pitching staffs of all-time, and I loved that Maddux was the best pitcher of his era (yea Roidger, you read that right) despite not being anything close to overpowering. I went to a game between him and Rick Reed in 2001 I believe, Maddux gave up a single in the top of the first, and then didn’t give up a hit until he came out in the 7th. It was absolutely masterful, and that was 5 years AFTER his prime.
I respected the hell out of them. Glav I grew to like somewhat during his time here, and smoltz was always (seemingly) respectful, but maddux ALWAYS drove me absolutely nuts, really irked me for some reason.
maybe because he had his own personal catcher and pulled himself out of games if the Braves had a late lead.
That would be interesting due to Piazza retiring this year as well…..lots of choices…i wonder who gets bumped…
you’re right, that would be a tough ticket
I dont think Smoltz would be eligible until 2014, since he played in 2008.
oh, you’re right, piazza would be eligible a year earlier than those three
Paging Chuck James…
Hasta la vista baby! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Hopefully he hangs it up @ his age.
won’t miss him, better luck next year or not. I’m sure Hampton has a seat on the bench for you
It’s a bit unfortunte for his HoF career to end on a blown save, but…I think I’ll get over that.
Yea. Even though smoltz is a brave hes had a hellova career and has been a great player.
I’ll be as broken up about it as I am about Favre’s career ending on an interception ;)
the difference is that Smoltz isn’t an overblown windbag who tortured his fans and teammates every offseason for 4 years, and who probably has given Aaron Rodgers nightmares. Good riddance to Brett Favre.
Actually Smoltz was one of the Braves I did not hate. He always said respectful things of the METS and their players when beating up on us.
Good luck smoltz. i hope you get a chance to end your career how you want to.
As to Glavine…best of luck pal.
I hate the braves but i respect this guy smoltz. Good career def going in the HOF
Agreed.
I like to think we have a little more class than Philly fans.
Good Luck Smoltz.
Even though this guy has been a met killer his whole career, I hate to see someone have to go out on an injury.
If this is it for Smoltz, its the end of a great HOF career.
Never want to see anyone get hurt, however he has had a helluva career. Hopefully he will be on the first ballot
Maybe we can convince them that Oliver Perez has the potential to be a closer.
You might be on to something there ;-)
olive def does not have the mindset to be in BP…he pitches best when theres no one on base. He gets so frustrated so quickly, I dont think thats a great asset to someone who could come in with runners on the corners no out, you get my point.
On the other hand, I think Pelfrey could be great out of the pen.
Yeah, b/c Pelfrey has shown such great composure with runners on base. The guy looks like a deer in the headlights when he gives up a walk.
Neither of them inspire much confidence at this point. With pelfrey though i think that look is just caused by in-experience… With OP dude just seems to have a mental block, once it starts going downhill there is no saving him.
That being said I will stay look fwd to pitching him against the yankees in a couple weeks. He usually handles them well.
Yes but I trust pelfrey to at least throw strikes. Whether he is hit or not, he can throw it over the plate. Which is important in the bullpen, plus he gets hit, he induces alot of groundballs, another plus.
Ollie is a cr apshoot when pitches, not that Pelfrey isnt, but Ollie can lose the strike zone quick and for prolong periods. Thats too much risk coming out of the bullpen.
as much as i hate the braves, i feel bad for this guy. i was watching the game the other night where he blew the save and he was throwing side arm 95% of the time, which is awkward to see Smoltz throw. if he does retire hes had a great career
Smoltz is a class act and I applaud his HOF career. One of the best 10 pitchers of this generation for sure.
Not to mention one of the best big-game pitchers and not just post-season. He always seems to rise to the occasion when facing off against another ace.
The guy is a bulldog. If he was a Met his entire career he would be admired with the same type of reverence as Seaver….
I wish we could buy some of his fortitude and transfer it to Perez.
Well said Danny, I agree. To be dominant as a starter then a closer and back to a starter…very impressive. He was a team player.
Hello Atlanta Welcome to our world of injuries and old pitchers
Maybe Smoltz can hang out with El Duque now
I live in Braves country (unfortunately). I have been telling my friends that the only reason Smoltz didn’t go for surgery earlier is because he knows the rehab would mean retirement for him. So it was better to try and pitch through it, which is what he did.
I sincerely hope the Braves find a way to pickup Maddux as it has been discussed. Not to help their team but because I think Maddux and Smoltz and Glavine ought to all finalize their careers on the Braves. And I would like to see them all retire after this year and all go into the Hall of Fame together.
I hate the Braves, but all three of those pitchers are classy men. And they all are Hall-worthy.
All are HOF worthy, for sure, I just don’t know if Glavine will make it on the first ballot.
300 wins. He’s a first ballot HOF, no doubt.
you mean like Don Sutton, Phil Neikro, and Gaylord Perry?
Are you kidding? He’s a 300-game winner. That alone is automatic admission. Throw in 2 Cy youngs and a World Series MVP…he’s a clearer case than even Smoltz, but all 3 are absolute locks..on the first ballot.
He’s got 300 wins. I think hes a first ballot lock more than Smoltz is
The reason that smoltz doesnt have 300 wins is because he took off 1/4 of his career to be a closer. He is the only pitcher ever with 200 wins and 150 saves. He is without a HOF. If either him or glavine is not 1st ballot it is because the writers are up to their usual antics of not wanting to put someone in on the first ballot. Though i would say glavine could be seen as more of a compilier than smoltz.
smoltz doesn’t have 300 wins because during his several seasons of being a starter, he has only won over 17 games one time. If you look at his numbers year by year, you will see that he is not as much of a lock as you think.
glavine is surefire first ballot. there’s not even a debate on that.
All 3 will get in in their first year of eligibility. And it won’t even be close.
agreed.
At least now we don’t have to watch David Wright flail at any more of Smoltz’ down and away sliders .
yessir
To me, Smoltz was always the only true big-game, bulldog pitcher on that staff. Maddux and Glavine were great, but they just do their thing. They are every-fifth-day guys, not guys who consistently rise to the occaision. That’s why the Braves dominated every regular season and barely ever won in the playoffs.
Smoltz was the exception. You can have Glavine or Maddux in a big game, but I’d have taken Smoltz anytime. I won’t be crushed if this is it for him by any measure - he tortured us enough, but more importantly he accomplised all a guy can accomplish.
Now, can ESPN tell me more about that potentially devastating starting four of Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, and Hampton? Will anyone besides Hudson make over 15 starts?
will Hudson even make 15?
I’d take Maddux any day of the week, but to each his own. They all had outstanding careers, but I won’t shed a tear when they’re no longer around to torture us. Hopefully the Mets can put together 3 HOF starters for a decade like the Braves did. (Pretty easy now to see why they won so many division titles…)
I mean, we did have Generation K…
Oh great, my PTSD just kicked in again. Thanks a lot!
he was a gamer and was always respectful and played the game with class, definately a first ballot hall of famer
sucks his career might end on a blown save but like someone said before i will be as torn up about it as favre’s career ending on an interception :-)
but seriously though, hope he gets in on the first ballot, he deserves it
It’s a shame to see one of the better pitchers in the last 15 years go out like this, if he indeed does retire. Back in the 90s when the Mets were terrible, I always rooted for the Braves in the playoffs, especially against the Yankees. Once the Braves came to the Eastern division, I didn’t cheer as much in the postseason, but did pull for them because they were in the same division as the Mets.
I can count on Smoltz as one of my favorite players of all time. as someone said before, he was always respectful of the Mets and he respects and loves the game. I’ll assume he never took steroids or anything to that affect because he respected the game so much. It’s a shame, but he’ll easily be elected to the HOF for what he did as a starter and closer.
I totally agree.
Although, I dislike the Braves, he is a gamer. He is a pitcher that gave everything he HAS! He is a classy professional, and deserves to be in Hall of Fame.
Funny you say that about rooting for the braves in the past. I always pulled for the Braves in the playoffs for the same reason. They were in our division and out rivals, so of course I wanted them to win. Plus, I did always have respect for Smoltz, Chipper, Maddux, etc.
Too bad the Braves consistently choked in the playoffs throughout the 90’s. One title in all those years proves that. They should have at least had two or three with that pitching staff.
Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux will be first-ballot HOFers. Yeah, I hated the fact that he was a Brave, but I would have taken him in orange-and-blue in a heartbeat. The guy definitely is a gamer.
Now, watch him resurface in a few years as a pitching coach.
I wonder if Frank Wren will call back Billy Beane and offer more for Joe Blanton . . .
So when’s the El Duque retirement press conference?
I hope soon!!! But doubt it it will ever happen. He wants to pitch with his half brother Livan before he retires
2019
when he turns 73. that should be… this september.
What happened to the results of last week’s Willie Poll??
The fix is in…..
I think bringing in Maddux is something they really will look into. If for nothing else but to keep interest in the team.
As for Smoltz, I always respected him but for the Mets damn that’s good news.
What kind of shape is the Braves farm system in now? My fear would be that they get something like Harden/Blanton AND Street. That would not be good at all.
yeah, they might get those 3 guys… if they throw in Francour, Yunel Escobar, and Brian McCann
Harden or Blanton AND Street. Not all 3. I know that even 2 of them in 1 trade is unheard of. I don’t think that the A’s will want players on the current roster unless it’s Escobar.
It’s at least solid, they traded three of their top prospects to get Teixeira but they kind of evened it out with the Renteria trade. They have two outfielders that were ranked higher than Jurrjens at the beginning of the season and considering how good he’s been so far I’d assume they’re pretty good too. They definitely have pieces to make a trade, maybe not for Harden/Blanton considering how crazy Beane is with his demand.
Braves aren’t done but with Chipper due to slow down at some point, the loss of Smoltz puts pressure on theirlineup to hit a ton of homers. Exactly like the Phillies. Both lineups will be wasted by September.
Phillies offensive core is young and play in a band box so I’m doubt they will get tired driving in runs. They also have improved their pitching after winning the division with this team last year.
The Braves are done, they just don’t know it yet. They no longer have enough pitching to keep them in games nor the bullpen to hold a lead.
I don’t think you can say they improved their pitching, unless you’re talking about Brad Lidge. And while he’s got 13 saves already, that guy’s an adventure on the mound. Not to mention the ballpark he plays in–he’s gonna give up a few bombs before the season is out.
15 for 15 actually… philly is a force to be reckoned with.. i fear we are already fighting for the wild card at this point..
starting pitching doesnt mean much when you score 8 runs a game
Just like last year the Phillies will hit but they added no arms and Hamels isn’t pitching well. When the bottom of the Phillie lineup begins to flame out and put pressure on the top 5 in the order they will come back to the pack.
One starter with an under 4 era( Hamels is at 3.73).
We are seeing the Phillies at their best right now. The bad will come.
see if would bit on heilman for some prospects unlikely, but you never know they suppose to be good with pitchers.
Smoltz exemplified excellence. He’s a winner and put his team first. It’s sad to leave via an injury but he’s got a ring and a ticket to Cooperstown.
As a Mets fan, I respect Smoltz, I wish him well, and I’m glad we no longer face him.
boo hoo hoo
I don’t wish any injuries on any player, but no one in yahoo country was crying for Pedro and the Mets when he needed rotator cuff surgery.
I hope Smoltz can come back — but maybe not till next year and not as good as he was before.
i don’t like to see great players go out like this.
And I guess this is as good a place to put this —
Kudos to Pedro for being able to come back so successfully from his surgery.
If his arm stays healthy all year and he can continue to pitch effectively, I’d like to see the Mets offer him a 1-2 year contract extension once the season ends.
I love Pedro but the only way I resign Pedro is with Pelfrey in the minors and at this point that’s not good for Pelfrey. We have to learn our lesson on Pedro, Elduque and to a lesser extent with Alou. We are a pitching first team and you can’t have these question marks all the time. Go out and get CC and Garland to replace Perez and Pelfrey/Pedro then you have a rotation.
Santana, Maine, CC, Garland, Pedro/Pelfrey/Vargas. That’s a rotation.
Much rather have Pedro Martinez in 2009 than Mike Pelfrey
You’re dreaming. They are NOT going after CC. He’s going to cost 100+ million and he’d be just as risky (long-term) if not more than Santana.
Is Garland a FA? If so, then go after him. That way you’d have –
Santana
Pedro
Maine
Garland
Pelfrey
Niese (in the wings)
The thing with Pedro is that apart from the hammy pull, he’s been healthy. His arm is fine.
I’m the most anti-AARP fan on this site, yelping about Alou, Delgado and El Duque over a year ago. Others can attest to that. But the fact remains, Pedro is still a quality pitcher and I think he can pitch like this for 2 more years.
No more El Duque, Delgado and Alou. But Pedro is another matter.
Why is Pedro another matter? Elduque has pitched more in the last 3 years than Pedro.
Burnett will likely be a free agent. I have no idea how old he is. I’m guessing around 30-31, but any chance they go after him?
Is it just me or does it seem some memo went around to the other teams in big markets, that missed our front office, that said the free agent classes were going to get progressively weaker and weaker and less worth the money, so you better start developing your own talent.
Because the cause of Pedro’s absence (his shoulder/arm) has been fixed. It is no longer an issue.
But the cause of El Duque’s repeated absences over the last 4-5 years — age — has not been fixed — it’s only getting worse.
It’s generally a bad idea to sign older position players and starters these days. But I would make an exception only for starters provided
1) Their arm is healthy
2) Their health is otherwise good
3) They are still pitching well.
Pedro and Glavine (when he was with the Mets) fit all those criteria. El Duque when he came to the Mets failed #2. Still does.
Give me Ben Sheets! Yeah i know he gets hurt but this guy is a winner, plays the game right and is fierce competitor.
I am a huge, huge fan of Sheets. His arm is healthy, and his last two or three injuries had nothing to do with his arm.
would it change your mind if pedro makes most of his starts the rest of this year, and pitches very well? (say, 18 more reg season starts to a 3.15 era, or so).
No I would not. We have already seen that means nothing with Pedro. I think he is great but I would not rely on him unless it’s as the #5 with Vargas/Pelfrey waiting.
As for CC he will get 100 for 6. Thing is with Pedro, Elduque, Alou and Delgado coming off the books we have a lot of money to spend. I would rather, considering our farm system, spend that money on pitching.
I think we have somewhere near 50-60 million to spend before we hit the luxury tax next year. Garland and CC should only take about 35 of that and would still leave enough money to get a quality LF or 1B.
That 50-60 million can go pretty fast when you have to account for:
1) Salary increases on back-loaded contracts (ie, Beltran, Wright, Reyes, Santana)
2) Arb increases for players like Church and Maine
3) Players to fill the holes at first and in LF
If CC can get close to Santana money, there is no way he’s coming to the Mets as they won’t want two starters making that type of money. Their payroll will be out of whack if they also sign CC.
Keep in mind that the Mets have a TV network and a new ballpark(they have a deal with NYC in which they get half of the parking lot cash) next year which excludes them from paying a luxury tax to baseball.
This team is a few winning seasons away from being worth a Billion dollars.
They have major freedom with salary. However, many teams have prepared the richer than ever NY teams by signing up young players years before they hit FA.
There is no exclusion for any team to pay the Luxury Tax. None. The Mets will have to pay it next year if they exceed the threshold just like everyone else. And the Wilpons always try not to exceed the threshold.
The only break is a deduction in revenue sharing for the stadium costs.
As I said, when you account for the other increases and the need to fill holes in LF and at first base, they don’t have as much freedom with the payroll as you think. Some. But not a lot.
Sorry to see Smoltz go out like this.
This, IMO, has little impact on the NL East race. If we play to our potential, we’re the cream of the crop.
Tough break for Smoltz and Atlanta. However don’t they always seem to bring up some snot nosed kid that works out for them? Maybe that is just my reflexive Braves twitch.
Personally, I don’t consider this a bad way to go.
Smoltz has been running on a shoe string for the last few years. It was anyday that his arm would snap. He has had a great career and at some point it seemed inevitable that he would pitch until he couldn’t pitch any longer.
The Losses back Standings are wrong for the Mets. They should only be 3 back
I’m all over you Matt!!!
It should be interesting to see PIazza and Smoltz go into the Hall at the same time.
Piazza hasn’t played any games this year but Smoltz has. So Smoltz won’t be eligible till at least 1 year after Piazza can get in. So I still think PIazza will have the HOF stage mostly to himself, which is only fitting.
wish nothing but the best for John. a classy guy, one of the great pitchers of our time and a formidable foe. hope he can recover and finish his great career on his terms… godspeed
This is pretty sad to watch (the presser), gotta admit. The three of them look near tears.
WHOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!
Lets hope it is career ending surgery.
Now you can work on getting some sun to redden your neck there Johnny. Have glavine work on that with you. Then you can trade for madux and have a good old “Lets pretend its 1992 again” party in the ATL…
Good riddens..
Wow your post just oooze with class.
sorry.. i didnt pay homage to the great john smoltz.. like he cares what anyone thinks anyway.
You guys put way to much stock in the fact that these players give a rats azz about the fans, the game, anything other than their paycheck.
Think about it. If you got paid 10,000,000 at your job, what would you care about?
THats why my heroes are people like soldiers and doctors and red cross workers, not baseball players..
you need to reevaluate your prioities there thereal..
I dont believe the real was saying smoltz was his hero or anything like that but rather your post was unclassy. You sound bitter that he makes more money than you.
What’s your problem? Your comments are ignorant and smallminded, don’t you know that it’s impossible for a city the size of ATL to be majority redneck? I thought New Yorkers were more open-minded than this (assuming you’re from the NY). Our Big Three are not even from the Southeast and Maddux bounced around, but you wouldn’t know that.
Just so y’all know I was responding to this booooo character.
Has Omar signed him yet?
Zing!
Good one…Congrats…
im happy as a mets fan, but upset as a baseball fan. whether you like him, root for him or root against, you have to appreciate what hes done on the mound. bravo on a great career. unlike glavine, you stayed with the braves your whole career. i hope that one day, 15 years down the line, i can pay tribute to jose reyes and david wright like braves fans can for you
good riddance…and i mean that from the bottom of my heart.
here here.. go play golf with tiger woods and talk about what kind of yacht youre going to buy next…
WHO ARE YOU GUYS,THERE ARE TONS OF PLAYERS WHO ARE SICK YOU DONT NEED TO RESPECT THEM,GLAVINE,MADDUX,AND SMOLTZ CAN ALL GO LIVE TOGETHER CAUSE THEY ARE ALL WACK.WE ARE MET FANS GUYS,WTF
Right we are all mets fans but that doesnt mean we cannot appreciate a good baseball player. As far as them being wack…look at their track record…far from being wack my friend.
Good comments man, it’s not blasphemy to know that a guy from the other team is good and to actually make it known to others. My mom’s a Yankee fan and she feels that the mets are second-rate and I sorta feel the same but I know that Wright, Reyes, and Wagner can hurt my team and I have no problem letting others know. I respect the game first and foremost.