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...
felt few heads innings mess next room trying
I was trying to mess with their heads a little bit. I felt like if I could get through the first inning doing that, that the next few innings could give me some room for fastballs -- even right down the middle.
basically bulk certainly compete depended few great level mistakes overcame past players rely superstars talent undoing work
Certainly we can't rely on past formulas. Basically we depended on superstars to do the bulk of the work, but now that work has to be done by many players or we're not going to be able to compete at the level we're used to. In the past the talent of a few great players overcame our inefficiencies, but those mistakes were our undoing in the postseason.
basically bulk certainly compete depended few great level mistakes overcame past players rely superstars talent undoing work
Certainly we can't rely on past formulas, ... Basically we depended on superstars to do the bulk of the work, but now that work has to be done by many players or we're not going to be able to compete at the level we're used to. In the past the talent of a few great players overcame our inefficiencies, but those mistakes were our undoing in the postseason.
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.
bigger deal eight few fight hits innings realize
I fight the frustration when I give up a few hits like that. I'm old enough to realize that I can fight through that and just keep it there. ... All in all, to go eight innings was probably a bigger deal for me than anything else.
week
This whole week is important, not just necessarily tomorrow.
coming dealing dream great hard imagine left possible realize reason rookies seeing spring time training truly
The reason why we're seeing such a great celebration is we realize how hard we've worked, ... This truly is a dream season. I didn't think it was possible in May. I didn't think it was possible from the time we left spring training with all the things we were dealing with. I mean, who could imagine 12 rookies coming up here at different times?
adrenaline boost boy brian changed home run threw
When Brian threw that home run, boy it changed the whole game. That home run was pretty much the adrenaline boost I need to get through the game.
feelings innings nine pitch tough winning
To be one out away, one pitch away, from winning and then have to play another nine innings -- it's a tough way to lose. When you're put in this position, you're going to have one of two feelings in the end: gut-wrenching or ecstasy. There's only one way you can feel. We got the gut-wrenching. And it doesn't feel real good.
magic number remember until
We just have to remember that this thing isn't over until that magic number is at zero. We have to keep our focus.
attended bit coming game greatest irony seen series trip truly
Truly a little bit of irony here, coming back to this stadium. I'd seen enough in 18 innings, but this is the greatest trip of my life, ... This is going to be the first World Series game I ever attended that I didn't play in.
attitude consistent stayed
Everything that I wanted to accomplish, everything I set out to do from an attitude mindset-wise, stayed consistent throughout.
awesome bobby drive runner score
Bobby told me to drive the runner in. It was awesome McCann was able to score on that.
implement means rut thinking ways
Every day, I'm thinking of ways to implement this system. That means I can't get in the rut of doing everything fast.