Monday, June 11, 2012

SMOLTZ WEEKEND


I went to the Braves game friday- I had to be there for my favorite brave of all time John  Smoltz. There really is just not enough words you can say about what Smoltz meant to the braves for 20 years. While we saw Maddux, and Glavine & other guys come and go and leave for more money smoltz contract after contract took less money to stay with the braves. He was more loyal then any braves player ever. He had a career postseason record of 15-4. Thats the best mark in National League history. He was a elite big game pitcher as there is. Countless times he took the ball with a hurt shoulder or elbow and shouldnt have pitched- but did and pitched his butt off. Maddux was great, glavine was great but year after year in postseason you couldnt count on them to win the big game that you knew Smoltz would win you. There is a reason why Chipper Jones said "if theres a game we have to win theres nobody more I want pitching then  John Smoltz"

 I have a couple favorite memories of Smoltz-one is in game 2 of 2004  divison series playoffs vs Astros. The braves were losing in the 8th inning and Smoltz came to hit and he walked.He had a great at bat and got on base, once on base he stole second. he eventually scored the tying run. here it is a pitcher giving you a hell of an at bat to get on base and then stealing second. Smoltz was a great athlete. He often would beg Bobby Cox to let him play center field for an inning. There was nothing Smoltz couldnt do. Menatally you wont find a stronger pitcher. Another memory of his that comes to mind is game 2 of the 2005 divison series vs Astros- He had an elbow that was in horrible pain and shouldnt have pitched but went out and willed his way to 8 innings and won the only braves would win in that series. He was matched up  vs. Roger Clemens and outpitched him highlighted by Brian MCcans 3 run home run off Clemens. Games like these made Smoltz the pitcher he was. I dont think the Braves will ever see another big game pitcher like the one smoltz was.


As for the current Braves we had a good week- 6 wins in a row. Fridays game was one of the weirdest games you will see this year. scoring on balks, and bad throw on a steal. The pitching has been good over the last 10 games minus the bad performance Sunday. We will need the pitching to step up with the yankees coming to town starting monday. Offense needs to step it up some too. Jason Heyward is showing signs of 2011 &that defiently is discouraging to any Braves fan.  The rookie Simmons looks really good though. we know his defense is great and  its been nice to see him contribute offensively in his first 2 weeks in the majors. I  hope he keeps it up.

No comments:

Post a Comment