John Smoltz - playing for the Red Sox?!

[Bruzee]

This has to be one of the sadest headlines I've read on ESPN. It is right there with Glavine signing with the Mets a few years back. I grew up watching both of them play at Fulton Co Stadium. This absolutely breaks my heart, and I would have loved to see him retire a Brave. Shame on you Atlanta for not paying this guy, despite the age and injuries. This never would have happened if John was still the GM.

Originally Posted by Bruzee

This has to be one of the sadest headlines I've read on ESPN. It is right there with Glavine signing with the Mets a few years back. I grew up watching both of them play at Fulton Co Stadium. This absolutely breaks my heart, and I would have loved to see him retire a Brave. Shame on you Atlanta for not paying this guy, despite the age and injuries. This never would have happened if John was still the GM.

It is sad, isn't it? I actually think it's far worse than the Glavine situation (even though he did go to a division rival). The thing I don't understand, is that we have so much money to spend this offseason, but yet we don't open up the vault for Mr. Braves? Honestly, Smoltz was an icon not only in Atlanta, but in all of the Majors. I have a tendancy to agree with you that if John Schuerholz were still the GM, this wouldn't have happened.

And speaking of the GM situation, what a tough offseason for Wren. I loved the Renteria trade (back in 07) that yielded us Jair and Gorkys but losing out on Peavy, Smoltz, Burnett and Furcal (all within a few months) is pretty inexcusable. Now I'm fairly confident that we'll overpay for D. Lowe (because we need a legit #1 starter) and probably sign Andruw Jones back. It's going to be an interesting (and realisticly underwhelming) season in Atlanta.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by SMW

It is sad, isn't it? I actually think it's far worse than the Glavine situation (even though he did go to a division rival).

I remember the old Braves pitching dynasty: Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux. They're all gone now. I hated to see Maddux's lackluster retirement.

[Bruzee]

Originally Posted by SMW

It is sad, isn't it? I actually think it's far worse than the Glavine situation (even though he did go to a division rival). The thing I don't understand, is that we have so much money to spend this offseason, but yet we don't open up the vault for Mr. Braves? Honestly, Smoltz was an icon not only in Atlanta, but in all of the Majors. I have a tendancy to agree with you that if John Schuerholz were still the GM, this wouldn't have happened.

And speaking of the GM situation, what a tough offseason for Wren. I loved the Renteria trade (back in 07) that yielded us Jair and Gorkys but losing out on Peavy, Smoltz, Burnett and Furcal (all within a few months) is pretty inexcusable. Now I'm fairly confident that we'll overpay for D. Lowe (because we need a legit #1 starter) and probably sign Andruw Jones back. It's going to be an interesting (and realisticly underwhelming) season in Atlanta.

I am still stunned. Smoltzy deserved to spend his entire career in Atlanta. You are absolutely right about Wren. He has seriously hurt our chances at a winning season. The Mets are only getting stronger (although they are choke artists). And the Phills are for real. I will be a Brave fan till I die, but this is going to be another tough year!

Originally Posted by andysutherland

I remember the old Braves pitching dynasty: Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux. They're all gone now. I hated to see Maddux's lackluster retirement.

I remember too. Then I gues you'll remember when we all considered Steve Avery one of the 4 aces too! Good days, and great memories!

[ScottieM]

Now I hear the Sox just signed Saito. Looks like the Sox are Dredging the bottom of the old Free Agent Pool this yr. This "Young team" is getting older real fast. Who's next? Jamie Moyer.

[Yazzie]

Look for all you Yankee fans out there. I'm sure your glad your owner has spent like a pig and opened up the pursestrings for you but the reality is WE the Red Sox own scoreboard right now with 2 WS Championships the past 4 years...

I hope all the money you have spent allows you to at least make the playoffs in 2009.

Certainly you are the favorites on paper right? Arod are you going to finally step up?

Originally Posted by andysutherland

I remember the old Braves pitching dynasty: Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddux. They're all gone now. I hated to see Maddux's lackluster retirement.

Weren't those the days? And what offense we had too. I'm not going to lie, I was always a bigtime Prime Time fan. Deion Sanders was a great football player, baseball player and musician (YouTube 'Must Be The Money' for reference). But I too was disappointed by the Maddux retirement. For such a great pitcher, his departure didn't get much fanfare. It would have been pretty great to see Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all pitch for the Braves this year. Seemed like it was a pretty simple deal, and now it looks like we might not even have any of them.

[SmokeyJoe]

Smoltzie had a rough outing against the hapless Nationals.

Hopefully just a little rust. Go get them, JS!!!

[taltos]

Originally Posted by SmokeyJoe

Smoltzie had a rough outing against the hapless Nationals.

Hopefully just a little rust. Go get them, JS!!!

He was most excellent after the first inning.

[Texan in Mexico]

Originally Posted by taltos

He was most excellent after the first inning.

I agree, take away that inning and he had a fine line score striking out the side in the fifth I thnk.

[kelmac07]

Originally Posted by SMW

Weren't those the days? And what offense we had too. I'm not going to lie, I was always a bigtime Prime Time fan. Deion Sanders was a great football player, baseball player and musician (YouTube 'Must Be The Money' for reference). But I too was disappointed by the Maddux retirement. For such a great pitcher, his departure didn't get much fanfare. It would have been pretty great to see Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz all pitch for the Braves this year. Seemed like it was a pretty simple deal, and now it looks like we might not even have any of them.

After all those years of the Braves dominating my beloved mets...I am smiling as Smoltz gets ROCKED!!!