Say it ain’t so!

Apparently, John Smoltz has agreed to a one-year deal for 5.5 million dollars to pitch next season for the Boston Red Sox. I hate this on so many levels! The first one being that I can’t picture John Smoltz wearing another uniform. He has spent his entire 21-year career in the Braves organization. He has pitched in over 700 games in the majors and has 210 wins and 154 saves. He is the only pitcher in history to win over 200 games and have 150 saves. He has been the face of the team for years and has been a great representative of the team. Even thought he is 42 years old and has battled elbow and shoulder injuries lately, he was still hitting the radar gun with 95mph pitches. So I feel like he still would have been a reliable option for the Braves. The Braves did make an offer, but it was only 3 million as the Boston offer was 5.5 million.

I don’t necessarily think that Smoltz was just being greedy. It is obvious that is part of it, but I think the he could see that the Braves are continuing to fall from grace. With the recent rejections by big name players to stay or come to the Braves, Smoltz knows that if he wants another chance at a championship, he needs to move on. That brings me to another reason I hate to see Smoltz leave, he can see that we are no longer the dynasty we were back in the 90’s and early 00’s. I hate not making the playoffs and not being in contention in September and October. The third thing that kills me is that he is going to play for one of my two most hated teams in Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Sox. The only team that would be worse for him to go to is the NY Yankees! I really despise both of those teams and the way they buy the best talent available just makes me despise them more!

Anyway, it is a sad day in Atlanta and I am sure Chief Knockahoma has a tear running down his cheek, but I don’t blame Smoltz for leaving. I am sure he will continue to live here and he will remain a fixture in the Atlanta charity scene and will be scene on all of the top golf courses in the off-season. So he will still be seen about town from time to time. I was a Braves fan long before Smoltz arrived and will continue to be a Braves fan after he leaves, but it just won’t be the same if he is still playing in the league and not for the Braves. I, along with most of the Braves Nation, thought he would retire as a Brave. Good thing he went to an American League team and we will only see him a couple of times this year during interleague play. Because I am sure he would could come back and burn his if we faced him all the time.

Thanks Smoltzy and good luck!