Braves.Today.Com

Update 5:20 p.m.: The Braves have landed an outfielder … didn’t we say this the other day? Seriously folks, it’s being reported by MLB.com and the AJC that the Braves have reached a deal with Garret Anderson.

I’ve been all about signing Anderson, as I wrote Friday. Short burst just filed now, will have a full blog tomorrow morning on the subject.

Poor Brandon Jones, who I wrote about this morning … think he’s Gwinnett-bound now. But I really like this signing.

OK, here’s the burst. Back to a day off … kinda.

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA – The Braves capped a topsy-turvy week Sunday by finalizing a one-year deal with free-agent Garret Anderson on Sunday.

Anderson, 36, doesn’t generate the same buzz that the presence of Ken Griffey Jr. would have, but the production from the left-handed hitting outfielder is just what the Braves need to go with Matt Diaz in a left-field platoon.

Anderson hit .293 with 15 homers and 84 RBIs in 145 games for the Angels last season. Against right-handed pitching, Anderson hit .293 with 14 HRs and 69 RBIs, matching the number of homers Griffey hit off rightys last season while hitting 21 points higher and drive in 21 more runs.

Griffey, who reportedly had decided Tuesday to sign with the Braves, reversed course and agreed Wednesday night to play with Seattle, where the future Hall of Famer started his career. At that point, Braves’ officials looked content to let internal candidates Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson to battle for the other half of the platoon.

But adding Anderson gives the Braves a guy who has hit between 14 and 17 home runs in each of the past five seasons, during which his batting average has ranged from .280 to .301. Anderson also plays solid defense, having committed just two errors in the past three seasons in left field (a span of 261 games).

Anderson teamed with Diaz, who hit over .300 with nine homers off leftys in 2007, figures to give the Braves a tremendous upgrade in production over last season. Atlanta generated just six home runs from left field last season, part of a woeful offensive outfield that hit a combined 27 home runs.

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Updated 3:11 p.m.: Remember us discussing Garret Anderson the other day? Sure you do. According to MLB.com, it appears the Braves may have stronger interest in the 36-year-old free-agent outfielder than the organization let on in the days following Ken Griffey Jr.’s return to Seattle.

Like I wrote after Junior decided to go back to the M’s, Anderson makes a heck of a lot of sense. We shall see, but folks this really makes sense. Now to this morning’s post:

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — You gotta know for all those Braves fans who were steaming when Ken Griffey Jr. decided to head to Seattle, a certain 25-year-old native of Panama City, Fla., was smiling.

Had Griffey ended up a Brave, then certainly Brandon Jones would be opening the season in Gwinnett, and not Atlanta. Instead, Jones now finds himself with a pretty good opportunity to be the left-handed bat in the Matt Diaz platoon in left field, a position that generated a paltry six home runs in 2008.

Jones hit eight dingers at Triple-A Richmond and slugged his first and, to this point, only major-league homer June 14 against the Angels in Los Angeles. But his 2008 production was disappointing following a 2007 during which Jones combined for 19 homers, 100 RBIs and a .295 average between Richmond and Double-A Mississippi.

Jones hit just .260 in 95 games at Richmond last season, driving in just 52 runs. . He posted respectable numbers in his 41 games with the Braves last season, hitting .267 with that one homer and 17 RBIs. Defensively, he made just one error in left field in 93 games (59 with Richmond, 34 with Atlanta).

And unless the Braves make a late push for Garret Anderson or Jim Edmonds, I think – as we sit here three days before the start of the exhibition season – Jones has the best chance to join Diaz in left. Unless Jordan Schafer blows people away the next six weeks, Josh Anderson figures to start in center. Gregor Blanco led the Braves in stolen bases last season with 13, but his on-base percentage was brutal.

Jones would bring more power potential to the lineup than either Anderson or Blanco, but he’s going to have to earn the spot. Last season, it appeared Jones or Anderson would be the fourth outfielder. But both struggled in camp, and Blanco caught fire the final three weeks of March to win the spot.

It would serve Jones well to have a camp like Blanco did last spring. If Jones can convince the Braves of that during the next month and a half, he’s likely to be on the big-league roster come opening night. The Braves haven’t had a Jones patrol left field since Chipper moved back to third base during 2004.

But maybe Jones — Brandon, not Chipper — can give the Braves a bat with pop to go with Diaz in left.

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By Bud L. Ellis
Braves.today.com

ATLANTA — It’s not the dry wit of Skip Caray or the encyclopedic tones of Pete Van Wieren. But for a fan base yearning for familiarity after losing the two signature voices of the Braves, Don Sutton fits the bill.

Sutton, who broadcast Braves’ baseball from 1989-2006, returns to the franchise as part of the newly formed radio team, joining University of Georgia alum and Atlanta-area native Jim Powell. While fans might not know a lot about Powell, who spent the past 13 years with the Brewers calling games alongside Bob Uecker, Braves Nation knows plenty about Sutton.

Above all else, his return is welcomed and needed by a fan base still reeling from Caray’s sudden death in August and Van Wieren’s retirement in October. For the past 33 seasons, Skip and Pete called Braves baseball, chronicling some really wretched years, and some of the most memorable moments in the franchise’s rise to the penthouse.

Sutton was there for the climb, too. Sure, he wasn’t as beloved as Skip or Pete, but there is no denying the man knows his baseball. The Hall of Famer won 324 games during his 23-year major-league career, and while being successful between the lines doesn’t automatically translate into success behind the mike, Sutton made the transition and turned into a pretty good analysis.

It’s going to be great to have Sutton back as 2009 dawns, because it’s not going to be easy starting this season without the two constants of Braves baseball since 1976. It’s going to be strange for all of us, folks, starting the season without either of the two iconic voices of this franchise.

In recent years, part of the joys of spring training’s arrival for me was Pete’s voice over the Internet, chronicling the action from the Sunshine State. His voice, coming over my computer, signaled the arrival of spring, the first steps in a seven-month journey that we all hope would continue into October.

We won’t hear Pete this season. Sadly, we’ll never hear Skip again. But we will hear Don Sutton. I for one am glad he’s back in the Braves’ booth.

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By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — Back at it following a day away from the ol’ blog, on a chilly morning in Georgia’s capital city and a historic day in our nation’s capital.

Inauguration coverage is everywhere, and rightly so. But while the world focuses on the swearing in of a new president in D.C., here in Atlanta, we’re rolling on with coverage of the Atlanta Braves.

Can you believe spring training opens in just three and a half weeks? Doesn’t feel that way here this morning, after snow flurries skirted the city last night and the wind chill has returned to the single digits.

Yep folks, it won’t be long until pitchers and catchers report, the most magic words any baseball fan can hear. We’ve warmed ourselves alongside the Hot Stove through this chilly winter, a winter that was frigid and frustrating for the Braves until the past 10 days, when the signings of Kenshin Kawakami and (more notably) Derek Lowe warmed the hearts and minds of Braves Nation.

Monday, Atlanta announced it has avoided arbitration with closer-to-be Mike Gonzalez, signing the fiery lefty to a one-year, $3.45-million deal. Along with inking Matt Diaz last week, that leaves just three Braves who are facing potential hearings with an arbitrator: Kelly Johnson, Casey Kotchman and Jeff Francoeur.

Usually, the Braves do everything they can to avoid arbitration, and typically, players and the club agree before the third-party is called in to assign a salary for the upcoming season. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if the Braves reach an agreement with Johnson, Kotchman and Francoeur before a hearing is necessary.

Gonzalez clearly is the frontrunner for the closer’s spot. He saved 14 games after returning from surgery in June, but his ERA ballooned down the stretch, finishing at 4.28.

The Braves would like to work out a longer deal with the 30-year-old, but I think his struggles in September (three losses, 5.84 ERA) along with the fact he was rehabbing from surgery this time last year gives the team pause. But if Gonzalez is healthy and pitches well, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Braves attempt to lock Gonzalez up to a two- or three-year deal.

Yes, signing a closer long-term always is a roll of the dice, and we’ve seen a revolving door in the ninth ever since John Smoltz decided to return to the starting rotation entering the 2005 season. But Gonzalez has the stuff, the competitive fire, and the makeup to own the ninth inning. If he can do just that, the rest of the bullpen figures to fall in line nicely, and could be one of the stronger relief corps in all of baseball.

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By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — Fans who want to help out the Atlanta Braves Foundation and collect some autographs from their favorite players will want to circle Saturday on their calendars.

The foundation’s inaugural AutographFest is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Turner Field. For $20, fans can meet players and get autographs from an impressive lineup, including new ace pitcher Derek Lowe.

Also slated to attend are current players Brian McCann, Tim Hudson, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Casey Kotchman, Matt Diaz, Jeff Bennett, Blaine Boyer, Mike Gonzalez, Peter Moylan, Buddy Carlyle, Jo-Jo Reyes, Greg Norton and Josh Anderson. Manager Bobby Cox, and coaches Chino Cadahia, Terry Pendleton, Roger McDowell, Brian Snitker and Allan Butts are scheduled to appear.

Former players on the list include Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, Marquis Grissom, Brian Jordon, Brad Clontz, Jay Howell and Pete Smith. Future Braves in attendance include pitching phenom Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward.

Want to make sure you get all your favorite’s signatures without the hassle of waiting in line? For $100, fans can purchase an “elite pass” that moves them to the front of the line.

More information: www.braves.com/autographfest

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By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — With the exception of trading for Javier Vazquez, the Atlanta Braves have whiffed time and time again in their pursuit of pitching.

But Saturday, the Braves finally made contact with a pitcher willing to come to Atlanta in 2009 … contact on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

The Braves reportedly have reached a three-year agreement with Japanese Central League veteran Kenshin Kawakami, inking the 33-year-old right-hander to a deal that provides the team another veteran presence to go with Vazquez in the midst of the rotation. Kawakami is to fly to Atlanta for a physical early next week, with the official announcement expected by mid-week.

Before we dive into the Japanese righty, let’s ask the big question: will the signing of Kawakami, coming off a 9-5 season with the Chunichi Dragons in 2008, and the trading for Vazquez be enough to entice Derek Lowe to sign with this team? The Braves are expected to make Lowe an offer by Monday or Tuesday, according to published reports, and Atlanta best be ready to make a substantial offer, something in the neighborhood of four years guaranteed, at $15 million per year, and maybe even through in a vesting option for a fifth year.

Adding Lowe to a rotation that includes Jair Jurrjens, Vazquez, Kawakami, and perhaps somebody named Tom Glavine, Charlie Morton, James Parr, Tommy Hanson, or Jo-Jo Reyes in the fifth spot would help soothe the battered souls of Braves Nation. The Braves still need an ace – Kawakami is not an ace; Vazquez is not an ace – and Lowe would fit that bill just right.

Let’s talk Kawakami, who won Japan’s Central League’s version of the Cy Young and the Central League MVP award in 2004, after going 17-7 with a 3.32 ERA. Kawakami doesn’t throw a blazing fastball; it tops out around 90 mph, but does have good movement. He throws a cutter that’s probably his best pitch, and his big old 12-to-6 curveball is impressive.

Braves could’ve done a lot worse, from the limited video I’ve watched of Kawakami. What I worry about is stamina. Kawakami pitched in a six-man rotation last season (which I really believe is a pretty good idea, the six-man rotation, provided you’re staff is suited for it … maybe I’ll blog about it on a slow day before spring training). He missed time late last year with a back problem, but that appears to have healed.

His best season was 2006, when he won 17 games and posted career highs in starts (26) and innings pitched (215). In 11 seasons, Kawakami is 112-72 with 1,328 strikeouts and a 3.22 career ERA.

We’ll see how those numbers, eh, translate into the majors. Apparently, factors that led Kawakami to agree with the Braves were the team’s stepped-up scouting efforts in Asia, as well as the Japanese population in Atlanta.

With Kawakami in the fold, the Braves still have to focus on finding an ace starter. Lowe is that guy. There still is the issue of the lack of power in the outfield, a hole the Braves may have to fill via trade unless the price for Adam Dunn continues to drop.

And here’s some short video of the newest Brave:

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By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — On the night before Mother’s Day 2007, Chuck James mowed down the Pittsburgh Pirates through 6 1/3 no-hit innings, winning his fourth game of the season and moving his career record to 15-7.

The little left-hander with the modest fastball and a decent breaking ball, two pitches that James got by with thanks mostly to a deceptive pitching motion, looked poised to be a big part of the Atlanta Braves’ pitching plans for the foreseeable future.

That future now is finished, at least for now.

The Braves opted not to offer James a contract last week, making the 27-year-old a free agent. Considering what James has been through since that sterling outing by the banks of three rivers 19 months ago, it’s not a surprise nobody is factoring him into Atlanta’s pitching plans.

Simply put, you can’t succeed in the majors on just two pitches, and the league eventually figures out James’ delivers. That, and the fact Chuckie tried to pitch through a sore shoulder as the Braves’ season turned sour in the final two months of 2007, led to a brutal finish to the season.

But 2008 was even worse. As the Braves’ rotation fell apart, James got several shots to earn a spot again among the starters. Instead, he went 2-5 with an ERA of 9.10, and ended up having shoulder surgery, which will sideline him for most of 2009.

James’ problem was his inability to develop a third pitch. Opposing hitters took notice and made him pay: James has surrendered 25 homers in his past 74 innings pitched.

The Braves are open to bringing James back on a minor-league deal at some point in the future. Given all the holes this team has to fill, I wouldn’t expect James to be in a Braves’ uniform anytime soon, if ever again.

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By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — John Schuerholz is mad as hell, and he’s not going to take it anymore.

After watching the once-proud organization he helped build fall apart like never before in 2008, Schuerholz – who moved into the team president role last October as Frank Wren took over as general manager – came out Thursday and ripped Rafael Furcal’s agency after the shortstop’s representatives took the Braves’ term sheet Tuesday and ran straight to the Dodgers.

Using words like despicable and disgusting to describe how Furcal went from nearly signing with the Braves on Tuesday to re-upping with the Dodgers on Wednesday, Schuerholz didn’t hold back. He stated for the world to hear that the Braves no longer will do business with the Wasserman Media Group, which represents at least 60 major-league players (including current Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan).

Good for Schuerholz. It made me happy to see somebody stand up and take Furcal’s representatives to task for the under-handed double-crossing moves that have ignited a firestorm of anger amid Braves Nation.

It’s been a long, long offseason, following a long, long season. This latest move, however, was avoidable, classless, and just plain out and out wrong. You could sense the frustration in Schuerholz’s words; it summarizes the mood and feeling of the entire franchise and its beleaguered fan base.

By the way, you can scratch Randy Wolf’s name off the Braves’ list of pitching options. Wolf also is a client of Wasserman, and as Schuerholz said Thursday, that group might as well take the Braves’ phone number off their list.

I still can’t believe this thing fell through. But then again, I can’t believe a professional sports agency would take a term sheet and shop it around.

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UPDATED: 9:47 p.m. EST

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — Yeah, so much for the Atlanta Braves standing pat.

Or at least the way things appeared for most of today.

Frustrated at their inability to make a splash at the Winter Meetings last week, the Braves have turned to their past in an effort to upgrade their future. Atlanta is on the verge of bringing home free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, who played with the Braves from 2000-2005 and has spent the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, published reports late this afternoon stated the Dodgers would have one last chance to up their offer to Furcal, an offer that is unlikely to include a guaranteed third year. Late in the day, ESPN.com reported the Braves and Dodgers were both in Furcal’s sights, and as of 7 p.m. EST the Dodgers’ negotiations had heated up.

But unless the Dodgers decided to guarantee that third year, I’m saying with great certainty the Braves get this thing done. The Atlanta offer guarantees three years at an estimated $30 million (with a vesting option for the fourth year). It will be finalized when Furcal takes a physical, which is expected to happen in the next few days.

Even though he missed most of last season with back problems, Furcal – who returned for four games in September and played in the postseason – would give the Braves a pure leadoff hitter and a very good defensive player. Now, the question is will Furcal replace Kelly Johnson at second base or Yunel Escobar at short.

Because Furcal signing with the Braves is just the first part of a bigger move, folks, or one would believe. Whoever he replaces figures to be heading somewhere for pitching. Perhaps Escobar to San Diego for the long-awaited and since-broken-off deal for Jake Peavy? Perhaps Johnson to Kansas City as the centerpiece for Zack Greinke?

It’s all speculation at this point, but this much is clear: the Braves could not afford to go into 2009 with the roster the way it stood last night, and they know it.

Furcal broke in with the Braves in 2000, a season during which I covered quite a few games for a suburban Atlanta newspaper. He gave the Braves a big boost with his speed and his cannon arm – an arm that isn’t as good as Escobar’s, in my opinion, but it very strong nonetheless – winning rookie of the year after hitting .295 with 134 hits and 40 stolen bases.

He became an All-Star in 2003, a season in which he hit .292 with 35 doubles, 10 triples, 15 homers, 61 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Playing for a team that never has relied much on the stolen base, Furcal gave the Braves that added dimension of a threat on the basepaths, stealing 22-plus bases in each of his six seasons as a Brave, including a career-high 46 in 2005.

He filed for free agency after the 2005 season, signing with the Dodgers. A .300 season with 15 homers and 37 steals followed in 2006, and Furcal hit .270 with 25 steals in 138 games in 2007. Back problems sidelined him for four months in 2008 as Furcal played just 36 games. But he hit .357 with five homers, 12 doubles and 16 RBIs in just 143 at-bats, and he stole eight bases in 11 attempts.

In the postseason, Furcal hit .333 in L.A.’s Division Series sweep of the Cubs, and hit .211 with a homer in the Dodgers’ NLCS loss to the Phillies.

Could Furcal play second base? Sure he could. He played 31 games there in 2000, four in 2002 and one in 2004, and has played there in winter ball. His range may not be what it once was, but the 31-year-old still has a great arm and could just as easily play shortstop if the Braves move Escobar.

Some reports coming out of Atlanta today are adamant that the Braves will move Johnson back to left field (where he played during his rookie season in 2005, before moving to second base after missing all of 2006 with injury). That would put Furcal at second and keep Escobar at short and, the more I think about it, wouldn’t be bad. You have three good hitters in Furcal, Escobar and Johnson, three guys who put the ball in play and who are good at working the count. Add in Casey Kotchman, and there are four pretty good guys at going deep in counts, seeing pitches, making the opposing hurler work, and hitting line drives into the gap.

And we all know Kelly’s power production in left, even if he hits 15 home runs, would be an improvement from last season.

Still, I think the Braves will dangle either Escobar or Johnson on the open market and see if there are any takers, provided the Furcal thing doesn’t hit a snag at the 11th hour (and again, I really don’t think it would … but it is still 2008, and this year’s been pretty crappy for the Braves, so we’ll see). As much as I would hate to satisfy Kevin Towers following the poor way the San Diego GM conducted negotiations for Peavy, if the Padres are open to talking for the former Cy Young winner who is locked up for the next four years on the cheap and, at age 27, is entering the prime of his career, I think the Braves should listen.

Johnson has less trade value than Escobar, but could be packaged to land a Greinke or a Paul Maholm type to slot in at No. 3 in the rotation. Trading for a pitcher would then leave the Braves open to trying to sign somebody like Adam Dunn to play left field. Hey, he whiffs a bunch, but you could do worse than a guy who has hit 40 homers in each of the past four seasons.

The Braves have said time and time again they are not interested in Dunn, and if you take the organization at its word today, they’re content to put Johnson out there rather than shell out big money for a bopper like Dunn or, an older alternative, like Bobby Abreu. But unless the Braves decide at the very last minute to jump in on Derek Lowe, there isn’t an ace No. 1 pitcher on the open market.

Interesting times. I just don’t think the Braves are done yet. Stay tuned, and let’s hope nothing goes awry with Furcal at the last minute.

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Atlanta now offering Toronto righty five-year, $80-million deal

By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — For those of you in the Atlanta area, that’s not thunder you hear rumbling outside your window today.

It’s merely the sound of the biggest domino in the free-agent puzzle finally tumbling.

According to published reports today, the New York Yankees are close to signing big C.C. Sabathia – and I mean big as in big-time talent on the mound, and big as in big-time statue, with his 6-foot-6, 300-someodd pound frame – to a contract that is well, massive.

Seven years, $160 million, according to some sources. Others have the deal at six years, $140 million.

Either way, it’s a huge move for the jovial, lovable lefty who willed Milwaukee to the postseason in 2008. And, with Sabathia apparently heading to the Bronx, the door is open for more dominos to fall.

As far as Braves Nation is concerned, the emphasis shifts even more toward A.J. Burnett, the hard-throwing right-hander who won 18 games for Toronto last season. The Yanks were poised to offer Burnett a four-year, $64 million deal, $4 million more than the Braves had previously offered the 32-year-old.

And this is not to say the Yanks – who have a seemingly endless supply of coin – won’t make a run at Burnett even with Sabathia in the fold. But the conventional wisdom now says the Braves’ biggest threat to landing Burnett is not as much of a player in that space now. And that’s good news for a team that desperately needs an ace to top a rotation that, with the addition of Javier Vazquez in between Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo, and may be bolstered by the old (John Smoltz) and the new (Tommy Hanson), doesn’t look too bad at all.

Burnett’s agent has stated his client likely won’t sign a deal at this week’s Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. It very well may come down to guaranteeing a fifth season in the contract, something the Braves would be hesitant to do but, if push comes to shove, will swallow the lump in their throat and do nonetheless.

And it appeared by lunchtime Vegas time the Braves had done just that, upping the ante on Burnett to $80 million over five years, according to published reports.

The Braves have to get an ace. Sabathia, who the Braves knew they couldn’t afford to pursue, looks pinstripes-bound. Derek Lowe figures to end up either in Boston, where he helped pitched Boston to its first World Series title in 86 seasons back in 2004, or the Bronx.

The feeling here is the Braves will land Burnett. May not happen this week, but especially with the big fella Sabathia now out of the market, things will start happening. And when they do, my gut says the Braves end up with Burnett atop their rotation, especially now that Atlanta has raised the ante at the poker table.

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By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com

ATLANTA — From time to time since the first Wednesday in June, people have asked me whether or not John Smoltz is finished.

On that day six months ago, when the weather was a heck of a lot warmer than it is here tonight along the southern rim of the capital city, Smoltz announced he was undergoing season-ending surgery, and from that moment going forward all of us have had doubts whether the bearded icon of Braves Nation would toe the slab again.

So, back to the question: I’ve always answered it in two parts, that first of all, I would never doubt Smoltz’s ability or desire to make it all the way back, to push through the pain and the rehab and all the tough stuff that goes with recovering from surgery to throw another pitch in the majors.

Of all the athletes I covered in my 15 years as a sports writer, Smoltz is the toughest and most determined of all of them.

But with the caveat offered, I add in the second part, that I would be surprised to a certain extent if Smoltz was able to overcome this latest surgery and return to the Atlanta Braves, be it as a starter or a reliever. Let’s face the facts: he’ll be 42 in May, he’s pitched 3,395 innings in the majors (sixth among active pitchers; 81st all time), and he’s gone under the knife for major surgery five times in his career.

So, what to make of published reports today out of Atlanta that state Smoltz toed the slab at an indoor facility this week and blew everybody away with the velocity, the control, the snap, on all of his pitches?

Simply this: John Smoltz is – as well all have known for years and years and years – is made up of stuff that most of us just don’t possess.

The dude is incredible, plain and simple. I mean, he is ahead of his rehab schedule, already is throwing from a mound, and has his sights set not just on being ready to try and make an attempt at a comeback in spring training, but on making the major-league roster and contributing in a big way.

Several folks have e-mailed me or asked me directly if I think Smoltz – provided he can make it all the way back and is healthy enough for the Braves to place him on the 25-man roster – will spend 2009 as a starter or in the bullpen. I’ve said over and over again that I could not foresee Smoltz being able to join the rotation, that his role would be pitching in the bullpen, and not being able to pitch on back-to-back nights.

But you can’t help but wonder, when you process the news of today, that maybe, just maybe, John Smoltz is a starter in 2009, that he’s able to climb the bump every fifth day and make an impact on this team’s starting rotation.

Pitching off an indoor mound in the Atlanta suburbs is a long, long way from getting out major-league hitters every fifth day. I know this. But I also know we’re talking about John Smoltz, who has spent the past two decades turning the improbable into reality. If you’re looking for somebody to cast even a shadow of doubt on this man, you won’t find it here.

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