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...
basically catch hit home lose mind reason run
If we had to lose and if one person basically was the reason -- you never want to lose -- but you didn't mind it being Kirby Puckett. When he made the catch and when he hit the home run you could tell the whole thing had turned.
feeling focus mound
I don't know any other way to do it. I take the mound with the focus that we can't lose. I've had that feeling for a long time.
anyone game history start
I don't know anyone in the history of the game who went through more to start out.
ball count hit terrible tip
I don't count the first one, because I just made a terrible pitch. After that, tip your hat, because that was a ball and he hit it out of the park.
best exactly february late stood until
If I had until late February to make this decision, then it would be a no-brainer. I'd know exactly where I stood at that point. But right now, this is the best decision.
best felt stuff three
I felt like it was my best stuff of the year. You're like, 'How in the world did I give up three runs?
catch good playing throwing
I feel so good right now it's like I am playing catch and throwing to a glove.
fought great sudden warming
I fought it most of the night. I thought I pitched great warming up, then all of a sudden it wasn't normal.
great
Great transition. He doesn't try to do too much. He comes in and evaluates, communicates ... he has a lot to offer.
looking tested
I was looking forward. It was brutal. I was tested to the max.
everybody figure
Just like everybody else, he's going to have to go through it. You've got to figure it out yourself. It's what everybody has had to do.
allowed huge
He's been a big part of this resurgence that's allowed us to win. He's getting on base. He's getting huge hits. He's been the key.
change coaches credit future game kids nine players playing respecting room seen teach ways
For the most part, we've had change of nine to 10 to 12 players every year, so there's always room to play for the future of the Braves, ... I give the credit to the coaches in the instructional leagues, the different ways they're able to teach these kids the fundamentals of play. Playing the game is one thing. They've done that all their life. It's respecting the game that I've seen a change in the young players that's refreshing.
baseball single strange ways
In baseball history, it'll never be done again, ... We did it in such strange ways every single year.