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BoSox Hooligan - RSM™
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CHARLTON MA
Age: 28
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An Appreciation Of John Smoltz
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BoSox Hooligan - RSM™ wrote this 3 years ago | Permalink |
Sooner or later, I knew I would have to post a blog about John Smoltz. There is an endless list of reasons why Smoltz is one of my all-time favorite players. I grew up in the south and was born into Braves baseball. The first team I can really remember is the 1993 team. With the likes of a very young Chipper Jones, Sid Bream, Damon Berryhill, Otis Nixon, Mark Lemke, David Justice, Ryan Klesko, Fred McGriff, Francisco Cabrera, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Javy Lopez, Deion Sanders and, of course, John Smoltz. I remember attending games at Fulton County Stadium (now Turner Field) and standing out in the stands with my dad watching the players as they shagged flies. I remember Tom Glavine being very friendly with fans and posed for pictures often and even took the time before home games to sign autographs.
Now, John Smoltz was a legend from day one. My mother actually ranted and raved about him saying that he would be a lifetime Brave and the greatest pitcher to don a Braves uniform since Phil Niekro (another favorite of mine). Watching him pitch was like watching Picasso or the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Perfect, uniform and beautiful. 1993, the beginning of a love affair with baseball.
When you're a kid, baseball is the purest thing you could possibly watch. A warm, sunny, summer day with the smell of ballpark franks and peanuts in the air. Buying your first foam finger and even catching your first home run ball. A little fact, the first home run ball I ever caught was a game-winning grand slam hit by Chipper Jones. Never got it signed by him. As I recall, he wasn't very eager to sign much of anything, actually. Anyway, when Smoltz took the mound you had a feeling of security that your team would definitely win. He holds many pitching records for both the Braves and MLB all-together. Eight-time All-Star, winner of the Cy Young, holds Braves record for most wins in a season, led the Major Leagues in strikeouts, led the majors in most saves, only pitcher to compile 200 wins and 150 saves, etc. But above all of that is one award and honor that stands out to me: He was given the Branch Rickey Award for exceptional community service in 2007. He's been involved in countless CS organizations throughout his entire career. As a matter of fact, one of the things that he is most famous for is his community service efforts.
Now, I met John Smoltz only one time in my entire life. I was about 10 years old and I attended some sort of a kids day type deal at the park and he signed an autographed, shook my hand and let us take a picture of him. My mother has both the ball and picture. The only authentic Braves jersey that I own is a Smoltz home jersey and I also have a Braves player T with his last name on it.
A few months ago I got a phone call from my mother around mid-morning. I knew that the Sox were talking with Smoltz about a possible deal, but honestly thought it was a long shot. I groggily answered the phone and all I hear is, "I'm officially whiting out Massachusetts from the map." Now, my mom likes the Red Sox. Mainly only because she HATES the Yankees (awesome). My obvious response was, "Why, ma?" She says, "Well, first of all, my oldest lives there and not home with me. Second, John Smoltz is now a Red Sox pitcher." My initial reaction was shock and I was silent for a few seconds. Now I had told my mom back in '98 that my dream come true would be for Smoltz to retire a Red Sox. She didn't like that too much, but went along with it because of my deep love for the Sox and deep respect for the Braves. I pretty much told her that I had waited a long time for this and she says, "I know, sweetie. That's why I wanted to be the first to tell you." That was very thoughtful even though it hurt her deeply to see her favorite pitcher leave. I would feel the exact same way if Wake were to go to another team. No matter what the team was.
I hadn't been on Sawxheads much in awhile, but felt the NEED to share my enthusiasm with my fellow fans. I want you all to realize just how truly great of a man and ball player Smoltz really is. He has a pure, honest attachment to the game of baseball. He truly loves to play and works his butt off to stay as healthy as he possibly can. Even if he only gets to take the field once while in a Sox uniform, it'll be a dream come true for me. I can't even begin to truly express just how great he is and how valuable he will be to the Sox organization. I feel blessed to have him, and I am still in awe over it.
I will be traveling to Atlanta in June. That's around the time Smoltz is supposed to be game ready. I know I will get booed like crazy, but it'll be worth it to me. I just hope that life-long Braves fans will show more respect than anger toward John. Even though, I can't say I'd blame them for being upset. I actually hope that he goes back to Atlanta next year to retire. I think that's where he SHOULD be for his last season. So this was my ode to John Smoltz. He is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame, and very much so deserves it. It is an honor to have him on board. The $5.5 million it took to get him here is well worth it. Welcome to Boston, John.
GO SOX!!
RSM-RLF
-BoSox Hooligan - RSM™
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Tags: John Smoltz Boston Red Sox
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