John Smoltz
John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz, nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke," is an American former baseball pitcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time All-Star, Smoltz was one of a celebrated trio of starting pitchers, along with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, who propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s, highlighted by a championship in the 1995 World Series. He won the National LeagueCy Young Award...
faced fifth five great last time
It's the fifth time we've faced each other over the last two years. He's up 3-2, but it's been five great games.
closest playoff
It's the closest thing you can get to a playoff game.
case honest
I've just got to be honest with them so in case something happens, they have a plan,
ball bat eighth erase flew flying ugly
The ball was flying today. Certainly, for us in the ninth, thankfully, it flew with Chipper's bat and Andruw's. That, hopefully, will erase what was an ugly eighth inning.
almost twilight
It's almost like you're in some kind of twilight zone. You're going, no way.
games good pitching six
It's been a grind. I feel like I'm pitching really good and sometimes you give up runs, where you go, 'How in the world did I give up runs?' Then there are games where you think you should give up six (runs) and you don't.
people watching
It's been a feeling, ... of watching other people do what you want to do.
bobby bona cox credit describe few kids veteran
It's been amazing. I don't know how to describe it, other than to give all the credit to Bobby Cox and a few of the veteran players. These kids are so bona fide. They're like sponges. They want to learn. I'm having a blast.
happened line
It's been a story line for awhile. It hasn't happened in awhile.
case couple days extra fresh giving starting
It's just a case of giving me a couple extra days off. We're fresh enough in the starting rotation.
famous followed ingrained player score
It's just ingrained into a player now. It's more famous here than anyplace else in the world, ... The only thing about it here is it's followed by, 'Let's score some runs!'
huge role
It's a role with a huge magnifying glass. We're fine. It'll turn.
blow people realize vital
It's a devastating blow for us, because I don't think people realize how vital he was to our rotation.
next win
It's a frustrating way to lose, because you'd always like to win that first game. Now we have to win the next two.