Smoltz’s Season Ends With Surgery
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, June 04, 2008 12:20 PM | Comments: 8
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Braves pitcher John Smoltz will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. He and the Braves called an 11:30 a.m. news conference and rumors grew of a retirement announcement, but that talk remains up in the air.
Still, one must think this surgery could spell the end of Smoltz’s career. A great pitcher for sure, talk of him going into Cooperstown has him pegged as a definite. Here are Smoltz’s career statistics:
3395 IP / 3.26 ERA / 1.170 WHIP / 210-147 / 154 SV / 3011 K / 992 BB
You’d have to think during those four years as closer, Smoltz would’ve racked up approximately another 60 wins, giving him 270 for his career. He would’ve then eclipsed 3,000 strikeouts much earlier. He’s a Cy Young winner (1996), a one-time 20-game winner (’96) and a five-time 15-game winner. He’s an eight-time All-Star.
So is Smoltz in the Hall? Absolutely.
Of course, this injury and surgery is a big blow for the Braves, who were going to try to convert Smoltz back to the bullpen after three seasons as starter. Smoltz leaves a huge hole in the Atlanta staff.
Posts: 0 Jeffrey
I guess this means he’ll have more free time to sit around and criticize the Phillies for the way they handle their pitching staff, which we all know is one of his hobbies.
Posted: 12:28 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
Really? I didn’t know that – please enlighten me.
Posted: 12:54 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
It’s sad to hear about a great pitcher like Smoltz. He went through so much with injuries and constant transitions between starter & closer.
If anyone knows best the difficulties of making transition in roles, it’s certainly Smoltz. And Myers has benefited from his advice and support during his own struggles in returning to the role of starter this season.
Posted: 12:56 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Jeffrey
@MIke T.
“Myers move confuses Smoltz; The Braves pitcher can’t fathom why the Phillies sent their opening-day starter to the bullpen” (Inquirer, May 27, 2007)
“Smoltz’s advice on Myers rejected” (Inquirer, May 28, 2007)
Posted: 03:08 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I like Smoltz…and Maddux…. and Chipper Jones.. you really have to appreciate how good the Braves were to win all those NL EAST titles in a row…
Smoltz is a lock as a first-ballot hall of famer… rumor has it that him, maddux, and glavine are all going to retire next year so they all go into the Hall together..all as Braves… t
Posted: 03:30 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Maddux is trying to get traded back to the Braves so they can retire together.
Posted: 03:45 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 the Towel
Bobby Cox just threw me in for the season
Posted: 10:39 PM on June 4, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
hahahahaha agreed. I think The Mets have become our new competition. They’re finally starting to play some good baseball.
Posted: 11:00 PM on June 4, 2008