Knuckle Curve » john smoltz

John Smoltz Signs with the Cardinals

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:17:14 +0000

After getting released by the Boston Red Sox, it didn’t take John Smoltz too long to find a new home. On Wednesday, Smoltz signed a deal for the rest of the year to pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals. Since the Red Sox are still paying him money, the Cardinals will only have to pay Smoltz around $100K.

With the Cardinals, Smoltz will likely begin as a starting pitcher. However, down the line, he could switch to the bullpen. Many team insiders have speculated that if the team makes the playoffs, Smoltz would likely be the the Cardinals’ setup man.

As it stands, the Cardinals appear to have a good shot at making the 2009 postseason. They have a six game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. The Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros are nine and ten games back, respectively.

Smoltz was released by the Red Sox after struggling as a starting pitcher. In eight starts, he had an ERA of 8.32 to go along with a record of 2-5.

During his possible Hall of Fame career, Smoltz has proven to be able to star both as a starter and in relief. The Cardinals will hope the 42-year-old can reclaim some of his past glory.

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John Smoltz Destinations and Rumors

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:52:16 +0000

John Smoltz, the legendary pitcher who was recently designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, has possible destinations in the coming days and weeks. Rumors are pointing a number of different ways, so it’s difficult to figure out where Smoltz will end up. Here are the most likely John Smoltz destinations:

Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers make a lot of sense. They could use help in the starting rotation and they offer Smoltz a chance to play for a legitimate World Series contender.

Texas Rangers
If Smoltz wants to stay in the American League, the Rangers appear to be the team most interested. The Rangers recently released Vicente Padilla and could use Smoltz’s leadership.

Retirement
It’s very possible for Smoltz to simply hang up his glove. He’s a proud player and if he just doesn’t have it anymore, the 42-year-old will admit it.

Minor Leagues
The Red Sox haven’t counted out the possibility of staying in their organization. Smoltz may head to the minor leagues to figure out what is wrong and why he has a 8.33 ERA this season.

John Smoltz Destinations and Rumors (Image: Zuma Press)

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John Smoltz Excited about Return to Mound

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:50:18 +0000

On Thursday, John Smoltz will return to the mound for the Boston Red Sox. It will not only be his first start of the 2009 baseball season, it will also be his start not for the Atlanta Braves. From 1988 to 2008, Smoltz put together a marvelous 20-year run with Atlanta that saw him win 210 games and save 154 games.

After a bitter breakup with the Braves, the 42-year-old Smoltz ended up signing with the Red Sox as a free agent. Coming back from a shoulder injury, Smoltz has been working all offseason and all regular season to get to this point.

Said Smoltz: “This is not the old or the new or the done. It’s just a new chapter in which when I have a baseball in my hand, I feel like I can make a pitch and do the things I have to do to take the sting out of the bat. And if that’s the case, we’ll progress and keep getting better every time out. But tomorrow is just one rung in the ladder to try and climb as far as I can to see how good I can be, and really at the end of the day to be in position to pitch in the playoffs.”

The playoffs look like a very good possibility for the Red Sox right now. With a record of 44-27, Boston has a five games lead in the AL East over both the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Smoltz believes that his return to the mound will leave Red Sox fans happy.

“It will be a success,” proclaimed Smoltz.

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Red Sox Interested in Smoltz and Baldelli

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:05:17 +0000

Although they’ve definitely been overshadowed by the New York Yankees during this offseason, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly on the verge of a pair of signing that may have a big impact down the line. Potential future Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz and former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli are both said to be close to signing with the Red Sox.

The deal for Smoltz, who has played the last two decades for the Atlanta Braves, is reportedly worth at least $5.5 million. Smoltz is coming off of shoulder surgery but the contract could give him as much as $10 million more in bonuses. For the Red Sox, Smoltz could be useful both in the bullpen or as a starter once he returns to the field — which is expected to be in May.

Baldelli is an interesting story. About this time last season, there were worries that his career could be over due to a mitochondrial disorder. He was able to fight his way back to the field and had a decent season last year with the Rays. This offseason, additional tests showed that Baldelli didn’t have a mitochondrial disorder and instead had channelopathy — a less severe illness. Considering that the mitochondrial disorder was thought to be life threatening, this new diagnosis was a big relief for Baldelli.

In Beantown, Baldelli would likely begin the year as the team’s fourth outfielder. But if he could once again reach the vast potential that made him one of the most sought after baseball prospects a few years ago, he could go down as one of the best free agents signings of this offseason.

Photo credit: Newscom

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John Smoltz Surgery – Season Over

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:22:56 +0000

John Smoltz season is over. The Atlanta Braves starter who tried to return as the team’s closer will need season-ending surgery on his troublesome shoulder.

Even though he’s 41-years-old, Smoltz has said that he plans to return to the Braves. While the odds are definitely stacked against him, it’s never right to doubt John Smoltz.

If this is the end for Smoltz, he has had a great career. This season, he has a 2.57 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 28 innings. In his career, he has a 3.26 ERA with 210 wins and 154 saves.

If this is the end Smoltzie, thanks for the memories.

Photo: Newscom

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