John Smoltz for Congress?

An interesting story this morning coming out of Atlanta politics where U.S Representitive John Linder announced he would not seek re-election yesterday. Today, there is rampant speculation that former Atlanta Braves pitcher and current suburban Atlanta resident John Smoltz is going to be approached about running for Linder's office.

Smoltz is an avowed Republican as is Linder and brings instant recognition in the Metro Atlanta area.

More from AJC.com's Political Insider Jim Galloway...RIGHT HERE

Right now, Smoltz has been rumored to be looking into pitching for a team this season. After struggling in 2009, his first season away from Atlanta, he's had a hard time getting a Free-Agent deal, even now...with Spring Training in full gear. At 42, with a huge amount of Celebrity, very little baggage and tons of personality and charm....and if you've ever spoken with him...he certainly isn't lacking for opinion, he would be a very, very interesting choice in the largely conservative 7th District of Georgia.

((John Smoltz is happy//Courtesy: David O'Brien's blog/AJC.com File))

Check out this Comcast commercial...where Smoltz attempts to ham things up...Thanks You Tube:

**Overnight note** The AJC tracked Smoltz down and spoke with him. He didn't know anything about this and wasn't interested at this time. Though he also didn't rule it out some time in the future either.

Cardinals "Very Serious" About Smoltz

((HT: St Louis Post-Dispatch/Strauss))

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak called the agent for free agent pitcher John Smoltz ((pictured, thanks Boston Globe file)) on Monday to convey what one official described as "very serious" interest in the 42-year-old righthander.

The Boston Red Sox released Smoltz, making the likely future Hall of Famer available to any club willing to play him a pro-rated share of the major-league minimum $410,000 salary. The Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Florida Marlins are thought to be the leading contenders, with the Cardinals eyeing Smoltz as a possible answer for a nagging eighth-inning question.

"I can confirm that a call was made today," Mozeliak said. "We're looking at a number of options for our bullpen right now. It's fair to say he is someone we have legitimate interest in."

Widespread support exists within the Cardinals' clubhouse for bringing Smoltz on board. Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright and third baseman Mark DeRosa previously played in the same organization while with the Atlanta Braves. Wainwright, traded over Smoltz's dissent to the Cardinals in December 2003, considers Smoltz something of a mentor.

Manager Tony La Russa acknowledged the club's interest before Monday's series opener against the Dodgers and said he would be open to contacting Smoltz or his agent, Lonnie Cooper, should Mozeliak think it beneficial.

"I know he's one of the guys we've been looking into. When he's healthy, he's a weapon," La Russa commented, adding, "I'll do whatever I'm asked to do. I think it's enough to say we have interest. We have since the day he was designated."

Flashback to Smoltz's last days in Boston, where he talks about what he isn't...
Thanks to our friends at NECN...

Smoltz Gone

Future Hall of Famer John Smoltz has officially been released today from the Boston Red Sox. Smoltz, who had spent all the rest of his career with the Atlanta Braves leaves Boston with a 2-6 record and an 8.33 ERA.

More from the Boston Globe here .

((John Smoltz photo//Courtesy: Candian Press))

Smoltz has drawn some interest from other MLB teams, they would only be responsible for a pro-rated portion of his salary. Boston offered him a chance to go work it out in the minors, but Smoltz declined.

He will probably end up trying to finish the season someplace, but it appears that his time is over. He's had a great career and much like most aging former stars needs to let go, sit back, relax and enjoy the future. In Smoltz' case, he will be on TV...it's just a matter of when.

Smoltz Designated By Red Sox

((HT: Boston Globe/Chad Finn))

After eight starts and few glimpses of the repertoire that made him one of the dominant pitchers of his generation, John Smoltz's Red Sox career has come to a crossroads, and possibly an end.

The Red Sox have designated the 42-year-old righthander ((pictured, thanks Paul Bereswill/Getty)) for assignment this afternoon, meaning that if he is not claimed on waivers, the club has 10 days to release him or send him to the minors. Smoltz, who went 2-5 with an 8.32 earned-run average this season, could also retire.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein flew to New York this morning to deliver the news to Smoltz in person.

"I think [that] was an important thing to do," said manager Terry Francona. "He met with Smoltzie face to face, told him what we were going to do, told him to go home and take a deep breath."

Smoltz, who allowed nine hits and eight earned runs in 3.1 innings of the Sox' gruesome 13-6 loss to the Yankees last night, has left the club and returned to his home in Atlanta to consider his options. During his pregame press briefing, Francona did not seem to rule out any option with regard to Smoltz should he clear waivers. Rosters expand Sept. 1.

The surefire future Hall of Famer is replaced on the roster by rookie Junichi Tazawa, who was pitching in the Japanese Industrial League last season and has skyrocketed through the Red Sox system.

Tazawa will be in the bullpen tonight. The club has not yet named a starter to replace Smoltz on Tuesday, but the 23-year-old righthander appears to be the leading candidate.

Two of the three pitchers the Red Sox used in their loss to the Yankees last night were designated for assignment today -- lefthander Billy Traber, who relieved Smoltz and was no more effective, was let go to make room for veteran infielder Chris Woodward, who was claimed on waivers from Seattle.

If this is the end of Smoltz's decorated career, during which he won 212 games -- the first 210 during his 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves -- and saved 154, it was certainly an inauspicious final few weeks.

The Red Sox signed Smoltz, who was coming off major shoulder surgery that cost him most of the 2008 season with the Braves, to one-year contract for $5 million plus incentives in early January, hoping one of the great postseason pitchers of all-time -- he is 15-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 40 postseason games and 27 starts -- would offer a boost to the staff in October.

But he couldn't make it through the summer. After several rehab starts in the minors, Smoltz made his Red Sox debut June 25, allowing five runs in five innings while suffering the loss in a 9-3 decision to the Washington Nationals. It didn't get much better after that, as Smoltz struggled terribly during his eight starts with the Sox, allowing 59 hits and 37 earned runs in 40 innings, including eight home runs.

His two victories came against the Royals July 11 -- allowing just one run in five innings while striking out seven -- and the Orioles July 31, two of the weakest teams in the league. His losses came against the Orioles, Nationals, Rangers, A's and Yankees.

Smoltz, who threw in the upper-90s with perhaps the best slider in baseball during his heyday, struggled with his command during his time with the Sox, and his pitches lacked their familiar bite. He especially struggled against lefthanded hitters, who batted .440 against him with six home runs and a 1.248 OPS in 91 at-bats.

Jason Varitek says Smoltz should be commended for his work getting back to the majors.
Thanks to our friends at NECN...

Smoltz Roughed Up In BoSox Debut

((HT: Washington Post/Viera))

John Smoltz joined the Boston Red Sox in the hope of a reinvention. He has been a starter, a closer and a starter again. He has learned to throw sidearm. And in this latest incarnation, he was looking for a fresh start with a new team.

"This is not the old or the new, or the done," Smoltz said on Wednesday. "This is just a new chapter."

But the honeymoon did not last long in his first start with Boston. The Washington Nationals blitzed Smoltz and won, 9-3, last night before 41,985, the third attendance record in as many nights at Nationals Park.

Washington (21-49) provided a harsh welcome, battering Smoltz with a four-run first inning. Smoltz settled down, but the Nationals found productivity that had gone missing at the plate and their starter, Jordan Zimmermann, pitched fearlessly against the imposing Red Sox (44-28).

"He's got good stuff," Dustin Pedroia, Boston's second baseman, said of Zimmermann. "He's got the stuff of a number one [starter]. He's going to be good for a long time. He's not afraid. He gets after it."

Zimmermann, who was 2 years old when Smoltz, 42, made his major league debut in 1988, did not succumb to the type of sluggish start that has given him trouble at times this year. And by the end of the night, Zimmermann (3-3) had deservingly captured attention. He relied on his fastball, allowing one run and five hits with six strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.

"He was tremendous," Manager Manny Acta said. "He was outstanding. He attacked those guys with his fastball, and he was able to get the best of them."

In the beginning, though, many eyes were trained on the opposing pitcher. Smoltz's 20-year tenure with the Atlanta Braves ended in ugly fashion. After Atlanta failed to sign him as a free agent, Smoltz voiced displeasure with the organization he helped to 14 consecutive division titles between 1991 and 2005. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that Smoltz left a "hole in the heart of Braves Nation, as well as the team's starting rotation" when the Red Sox signed him in January.

General Manager Theo Epstein said he had visions of Smoltz, who has 210 victories and 154 saves, pitching the Red Sox into the playoffs in October. So Epstein took the low-risk gamble on an aging pitcher recovering from major shoulder surgery, signing Smoltz to a one-year deal for $5.5 million.

"Coming back from surgery, this is not a half-year job," Smoltz, who threw only 28 innings last year before his June operation, told reporters on Wednesday. "This is not something I wanted to do for a half-year. I wanted to pitch past this year."

In 92 pitches over five innings last night, Smoltz allowed five runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.

"He's coming off rehab or whatever but he's still John Smoltz," said Willie Harris ((pictured, thanks John McDonnell/Washington Post)), who went 3 for 4 with a two-run home run in the seventh inning. "He kept us off balanced today, but we were able to get to him early."

The Nationals wasted little time in the first inning, which was highlighted by Anderson Hernández's two-run single to left field. Also in the first, Nick Johnson was hit by a pitch and left the game after that inning with a left shin contusion. Washington scored off Smoltz in the third, and then added two runs apiece against relievers in the sixth and seventh innings.

Boston's lone run off Zimmermann came on David Ortiz's sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. Rocco Baldelli lifted a two-run home run off Tyler Clippard in the ninth.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Smoltz seemed deep in his conviction about his return. "It will be a success," he said, adding: "It's about pitching and getting hitters out. The end result is going to be that. Three, four, five starts from now, I think you'll see why I feel the way I do."

But that was not the case last night. And it did not matter that Smoltz's 466 career starts dwarfed Zimmermann's 11 entering last night. Against one the game's great pitchers, Washington relied on its impressive rookie.

"It's huge for him," Harris said of Zimmermann's performance. "Who knows what type of confidence that just added to him?"

Here's some Smoltz postgame, thanks to our friends at NESN

Smoltz First Start On The 25th

((HT: ESPN))

A strong rotation and even better bullpen have led the Red Sox to the top of the AL East.

Now John Smoltz, the only pitcher in major league history with at least 200 wins and 150 saves, is set to join them.

His return next week may give a boost to the pitching staff and a dilemma to manager Terry Francona. But if Boston must use six starters for a couple of turns through the rotation, he's not complaining.

"It certainly could happen," Francona said Tuesday after confirming that Smoltz would make his first start in more than a year on June 25 at the Washington Nationals. "That wouldn't be the worst thing for a short period of time."

Smoltz hasn't pitched in the majors since June 2, 2008, when he allowed two runs in one inning as Atlanta's closer. Eight days later, he had surgery to repair labrum damage in his right shoulder, ending his season with a 3-2 record and just six appearances.

On Wednesday night, he's scheduled to make his sixth rehab start, pitching at Triple-A Pawtucket against Charlotte, an outing changed from Thursday because of threatening weather. Then the 42-year-old right-hander can focus on his return to the majors.

"I'm not too excited yet because I want to get through [Wednesday's start]," Smoltz said. "Then I'll start for the first time in a year [to] look at film. I've been wanting to look at film for a while."

He'll study Washington's hitters and throw on the side before his start in Daisuke Matsuzaka's spot in the rotation. Matsuzaka, who has struggled, could pitch the following night at Atlanta.

Francona said Smoltz, who was critical of the way the Braves treated him after 20 seasons, doesn't need any more excitement by facing them.

"There's not disappointment," Smoltz said. "I couldn't be disappointed about anything at this point, even if somebody told me I had to wait another month. Again, I've worked really hard to get to this point of either anticipating another start and regardless of who I pitch against and whatever the outcome is, it's all part of the process."

He feels healthy and said endurance won't be a problem. He even might have joined the Red Sox earlier had the starters struggled.

But Josh Beckett was 5-0 in seven starts before a bad outing Sunday, Jon Lester has struck out 34 and allowed three runs and seven hits in winning his past three starts, and Brad Penny is coming off a six-inning scoreless stint. Tim Wakefield, who took an 8-3 record into Tuesday night's start against Florida, leads the staff in wins.

Matsuzaka, 1-4 with a 7.55 ERA, has faltered and the Red Sox don't seem ready to yank him from the rotation.

"I look at it as a tremendous luxury," Smoltz said. "I signed a long time ago with the opportunity of me being a bonus. That's the way I look at it, as a bonus."

He signed as a free agent on Jan. 13 and has been brought along gradually. The Red Sox aimed for a midseason return that would leave him fresh for the last month of the season and, they hope, a long postseason run.

"Once he starts back, there's no turning back," Francona said. "Hopefully, he pitches till deep in October."

Smoltz leads all pitchers in the postseason with 15 wins and 194 strikeouts. He appeared in the playoffs in 13 years and has a 15-4 record and 2.65 ERA in 40 outings.

"You can't see it right now because I've still been rehabbing and everyone's anticipating my first start," he said, "but it'll pay off down the stretch, I can promise, if I continue to do the things I think I can do."

After June 25, the Red Sox have 16 games and one day off before the All-Star break. They could give starters extra rest in that period then set their rotation for the rest of July.

"This is not a feel good story. This is not something that the Boston Red Sox are letting me accomplish something just because somebody else didn't," Smoltz said. "So whether it's making five starts in a row or making four out of five or whatever it may be that's going to make this run work, that's what it's all about because the goal here is not to win a division.

"The goal here is to win a championship. That's what they've armed themselves with, no pun intended. They've got a few arms."

And soon Smoltz -- one of the best pitchers of his generation- will be thrown into the mix.

"My goal is to create that aura as long as possible and to make sure that people go, 'oh, he hasn't missed a beat,' " he said. "This is going to be a new exciting time for me to be able to get hitters out again."

Is Smoltz's Next Start Against Atlanta...?

((HT: AJC))

Boston’s John Smoltz ((pictured, thanks AJC)) is healthy enough to make his next scheduled start on Thursday.

The Red Sox right-hander just doesn’t know if it will be against the Florida Marlins or another rehabilitation assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before Sunday’s game against Philadelphia that a decision will be made in the next day or so. Smoltz, who is continuing his comeback from surgery last June to repair a torn labrum, said he could wait.

“What you see before you is not a guy you would see two, three, five years ago,” Smoltz said. “I’d be really anxious, probably would have forced a few people’s hands and try and convince them I’d be ready a month ago. It’s just a lot of understanding of what they want to do.”

Smoltz is the only pitcher in major league history with at least 200 victories and 150 saves. He’s made five minor-league rehab starts, and allowed four runs and six hits in a six-inning outing Friday night.

He opened the season on the disabled list following shoulder surgery last June. Smoltz agreed to a $5.5 million, one-year deal with the Red Sox in January after 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

Smoltz joked before the AL-best Red Sox went for the three-game sweep in Philadelphia that he could make a spot start for starter Josh Beckett.

“It looks like I’m starting for Beckett today. Oh, you guys didn’t hear?” Smoltz said.

Here's Smoltz's postgame from our friends at WSYR-TV in Syracuse...

Smoltz: Glavine's Release "Ain't Right"

((HT: AJC/Boone))

John Smoltz ripped his former team’s release of good friend Tom Glavine, telling reporters in Detroit “it’s just not how you treat people.”

“I’m using a very soft word in ‘disappointed’ because that ain’t right,” said Smoltz, a teammate of Glavine’s for 16 years. The duo won 454 games and three Cy Young Awards as Braves. ((Both are pictured, thanks AJC file))

Glavine, who had been rehabbing from shoulder and elbow surgery, was released Wednesday — “a performance decision,” according to Braves General Manager Frank Wren.

“To go that far in your rehab, and then right before the time, to do that?” Smoltz said following Wednesday’s Red Sox game in Detroit. “Well, it’s not my problem anymore, I just feel bad for a teammate of mine that I had for a long time.”

Smoltz parted ways with the Braves in January after receiving a significantly higher contract offer from Boston. He’s since been critical of Wren, saying the GM effectively forced him out of Atlanta.

The iconic ex-Brave is currently rehabbing in the minors and hopes to be activated in time for Boston’s visit to Turner Field beginning June 26.

Asked if he thought Glavine’s release was financially motivated, Smoltz told reporters, “Yeah, I know too much, let’s just put it that way.”

He’s doubtful his old teammate will pitch for another team.

"I think he’s at a point in his career where this was probably going to be the only situation where he would have gone and worked this hard to try and come back,” Smoltz said in the post-game interview. “I don’t know. I just know he didn’t retire.”

Wren, seemingly, spent all day dancing on Atlanta sports-talk radio defending his decision.

Here's the first interview of many Thursday morning on 680theFan

Smoltz K's 6 In Rehab Start

((HT: AJC))

John Smoltz ((pictured, thanks Boston Herald file)) sat with a big smile on his face after his longest rehab start of the year, convinced it wouldn’t be long before the former Cy Young winner was his old, lights-out self.

“I don’t think I’m far away,” Smoltz said Sunday. “Today was more a familiar pitching that I thought I was capable of the last month, two months.”

Smoltz looked strong and in command over five innings of work with the Greenville Drive. He allowed a run on four hits against the Charleston RiverDogs, but closed by retiring his final seven batters — including the final three on strikeouts.

“I think I’m going to get a little more complete each time,” Smoltz said, with ice on his repaired right shoulder. “For the most part, I’m really pleased with today’s effort. I felt really fresh in the fifth inning, even though it’s the longest stint I’ve had.”

It was Smoltz’s third minor-league rehab appearance in the past 11 days as he continues recovering from surgery to fix a torn labrum.

Smoltz pitched three innings for the Drive on May 21, then went 3 1-3 innings with Double-A Portland on May 27.

Smoltz say’s he’ll rejoin the Red Sox in Detroit this week, then wait for an expected start at Triple-A Pawtucket. His goal is to reach the bigs by mid-June, although he hopes his start with Boston does not occur during its weekend series against Smoltz’s former club, Atlanta, from June 19-21.

The Red Sox then travel for three interleague games in Atlanta the next weekend.

“It seems like five years ago that I started this road to recovery,” he said.

The 42-year-old Smoltz signed with Boston in the offseason after 20 seasons with the Braves. His name was on the marquee Sunday afternoon and fans turned out for a record attendance of 7,129 at 4-year-old Fluor Field — the third straight record crowd in his three rehab starts.

Smoltz waved to fans as he walked in from pregame warmups, the got a standing ovation when he walked to the mound. Smoltz had been here three previous times on rehab assignments with the Greenville Braves, Atlanta’s Double-A affiliate for 21 years until moving to Mississippi.

Matt and Jennifer Davis wore Smoltz jerseys with his familiar 29 from his Atlanta days.

“When he got hurt, we were hoping we’d get the chance to see him this season,” Jennifer Davis said.

She and her mother, Janet Tindall, remembered a Mother’s Day trip more than a decade ago where the two drove from Virginia to Pittsburgh to watch Smoltz pitch at Three Rivers Stadium.

“We’ve followed him a long time,” Tindall said.

Smoltz gave his longtime supporters plenty to cheer about. He retired six in a row during one stretch, often topping 90 mph on the stadium’s radar gun.

His toughest inning came with two outs in the third when Charleston’s Abraham Almonte reached on a high bouncer to second, and Smoltz gave up singles to the next two hitters.

Smoltz regained his stride the next inning, setting Charleston down 1-2-3 and ending things with a nifty grab on a ball sent back up the middle.

He ended with a flourish in the fifth, striking out his final three batters — each one looking at called strike three.

Smoltz got a second standing ovation as he walked off the mound despite trailing 1-0, tipping his cap to the appreciative crowd as he got near the dugout. He threw 73 pitches, 52 for strikes, and did not walk a batter.

“You could see the improvement from his first rehab start to this one,” said Drive catcher Tim Federowicz, who was also behind the plate for Smoltz in Augusta, Ga., two weeks back. “He had a lot better control. He had a lot better action on his fastball, his breaking ball, everything looked really good today.”

The Drive took Smoltz off the hook, tying the game at 1-all in the sixth before a three-run seventh gave them the lead in the 4-1 victory.

“We didn’t want to give John Smoltz a loss in Greenville,” Federowicz said.

The appearance may have given Smoltz some insight into his future big league home — and the Red Sox biggest rival. Fluor Field was built as a replica of venerable Fenway Park, complete with a smaller, 30-foot version of the Green Monster in left field.

Plus, the RiverDogs are the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Yankees.

It’s been an interesting strech for Smoltz, who married Kathryn Darden earlier this month, then began his rehab assignments less a week later. With 210 victories, 142 saves and a Hall of Fame spot in Cooperstown likely, Smoltz has been questioned too often about why he wants to return at all.

“It’s not to end on my terms, although that would be great,” Smoltz said. “I just still enjoy it.”

Here's Smoltz's post-game, thanks to our friends at Live5 in Charleston...

Another Rehab Start For Smoltz

((HT: WHDH-TV))

Rehabbing pitcher John Smoltz ((pictured, thanks WMUR-TV))took another step toward returning to the Boston Red Sox.

The 42-year-old right-hander tossed 3 1-3 innings for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday night, allowing one run and three hits while striking out two and throwing 60 pitches.

"Another rung in the ladder," he told nearly 30 reporters -- many of them from Boston -- in a cramped interview room under the stands. "My radar screen has Boston on it. As long as that's the carrot dancing in front of you, you just keep doing what you're doing."

Leadoff batter Todd Donovan lined a single up the middle that had Smoltz ducking for cover, but he retired the next eight hitters before Donovan singled again in the third and scored on Adam Calderone's triple. Smoltz got the next batter on a fly to left to end the third, and the crowd of 8,903 -- a record for MerchantsAuto.com Stadium -- rose to a standing ovation, thinking he was done for the night.

But he came out again for the bottom of the fourth and threw one more pitch for a harmless fly to right. Sea Dogs manager Arnie Beyeler came out to get him, and Smoltz shook hands with his catcher and tipped his hat to the cheering crowd as he left with Portland leading 3-1.

Dave Eid has the highlights from Manchester, thanks to our friends at WGME-TV13 in Portland

"I was hoping he would let me stay in there, but I understand," said Smoltz, who was projected for four innings and 65 pitches.

Smoltz reported no pain and said he was throwing in the 89-91 mph range. He said his splitter and changeup were successful, but that his slider needs work.

"I have to temper what I've been doing, because I can't wait," he said. "This, more than anything I've done in my career, is going to take a lot of patience."

Smoltz, who was 14 years older than the next-oldest player on the Sea Dogs' roster, has 210 major league wins -- and 154 saves. He had surgery last June to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, then signed with the Red Sox in the offseason after 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

Smoltz threw 29 pitches in three scoreless innings during his first rehabilitation outing, pitching for Boston's Class-A affiliate in Greenville, Ga., on Thursday. He said he expects to pitch five innings for Greenville on Sunday, then go to Triple-A Pawtucket for two more starts.

That would have him available for the Red Sox rotation on June 16 against the Florida Marlins, with his second start for Boston coming against Atlanta on June 21.

Smoltz said he had requested that his first start not be against his former team.

"That game would be too big," he said. "There would be so much surrounding it, a breath wouldn't come easy."

Adam Kilgore's report from the Boston Globe is in black...

Smoltz Resumes Throwing

((HT: AJC))

Injured Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz could resume throwing Wednesday or Thursday.

Smoltz, recovering from shoulder surgery last June, is currently taking part in a one-week workout program to build strength.

“I work hard, and I’m working smart,” Smoltz said before the Red Sox played the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night.

Smoltz has been working out with Boston’s extended spring training team, and threw in a simulated game before being shut down.

“He actually feels pretty good,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “I think he has days, probably, where he’s frustrated because he wants to be pitching. That’s why he’s still pitching.”

Smoltz, with 210 career victories, agreed to a $5.5 million, one-year deal with the Red Sox in January after 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. The 41-year-old right-hander might be ready to pitch in the majors next month.

“June is very realistic,” Smoltz said.

Former Brave Mark Kotsay, rehabbing after back surgery, was the designated hitter Saturday for Pawtucket. He is expected to play in the outfield Sunday.

Smoltz Pitching This Weekend...

Boston pitcher John Smoltz is headed to Florida in another step in his recovery from surgery to his right shoulder.

The 41-year-old right-hander is preparing to make a rehab start Saturday and plans to be with the Red Sox by early June.

Smoltz signed with the Red Sox in January after 20 years with the Atlanta Braves. He said before Wednesday’s game with Oakland that he plans to treat his time in Florida as if it were a regular spring training.

Smoltz will be joined in Florida by outfielder Mark Kotsay, who is recovering from a right elbow injury. Both players traveled with the Red Sox on their West Coast road trip.

"This is my spring training," Smoltz said before Boston's series finale against the Athletics. "I'm going to do exactly what I would be doing if it were February or March."

Boston manager Terry Francona also said shortstop Julio Lugo could be back with the Red Sox by Monday. Lugo is recovering from right knee surgery and is expected to play in the field Friday.

A Braves Fan's Worst Nightmare

Yes, that's a Boston Red Sox lid on the dome of John Smoltz who has officially joined Red Sox Nation. Every Atlanta Brave fan is saying to themselves "How did it come to this."

Smoltz will earn $5.5 Million this season with $5 Million in possible performance bonuses.

"I’m as determined and I’m as focused as I’ve ever been," Smoltz said when the Red Sox announced his signing to a one-year contract. "The uniform has changed. The desire won’t change."

Smoltz isn't intent in just being a one year wonder in Boston.

"I don’t see this as one year," he said. "Age is just a number."

Hey, maybe Smoltzie needed a change in scenery. He still has the desire to pitch and the Red Sox feel even at 41 and coming off a major injury he can get the job done. The Braves felt differently and now one of the cornerstones of their great run during the 90's is pitching for the Sox. It remains to be seen if the body will respond.

Hey, the money is good to, though.
Photo courtesy: Matt Stone/Boston Herald

Mike Giardi of NECN caught up with Smoltz for a one-on-one...
((HT: boston.com))

It's a Business

Smoltz to Boston...

Well, according to those in the know, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is heading to Boston. Smoltz, who has pitched only for the Braves in his career, has been offered a 5+Million dollar contract, plus incentives to go pitch in Beantown. Smoltz is still recovering from surgery on his labrum (shoulder) last season and won't be ready to pitch at least until May.

((photo courtesy of Newsday))

See Buster Olney's story from the 4-Letter word here

Boston.com chimes in as well here

The loser in this, I think is the Baseball fan. Yes, the Braves may be included in that as well, but at least according to reports, they don't seem to be convinced that Smoltz will recover and be the same Smoltz he has been. The Braves need to move on, for too many years they have remained tied to the players of the past, guys who have helped them succeed but are on the downside of their careers. They need to begin rebuilding, using the top-flight farm system they have and grow them young. The Braves and their fans need to realize they aren't going to be Boston or New York and need to be content with that. Look at what Tampa did last year, it proves that you don't need to be the highest paid team with all the big names to win.

Personally, and this is my opinion. Boston and New York are horrible for baseball. They just throw money at every big name player out there. More often than not it doesn't work out and hopefully it won't this time either. If both teams went 0-162, it would be the greatest thing in the history of competitive Baseball. As for Smoltz, I've interviewed him more times than I can count and he has been nothing but a class act. I don't expect that will change if he goes to Boston. It may look weird, but quite honestly, it is the reality that is now Baseball. Baseball is now about seeing who can waste more money, Boston or New York and the rest of us have just become passengers watching the ship that is baseball sail into the sunset. (Damn that is deep!)