From the Windup is FanHouse's extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.
John Smoltz and Trevor Hoffman both changed teams this week, for the first time in 36 combined seasons -- if we can politely ignore those 28 games Hoffman threw for the Marlins in 1993 as a bushy-tailed rookie. They have combined for 1,610 appearances in their respective uniforms over that time, and are each a large chunk of their franchise's history. Both are headed to the Hall of Fame, being bronzed in a cap they won't sport in 2009.
If you can even find a way to picture Trevor Hoffman wearing a Brewers uniform, or John Smoltz wearing Red Sox gear, you still have to believe they look a bit odd. The question is, which one is going to look more like the proverbial sore thumb this season?
John Smoltz
He went to eight All-Star games as a Brave. He won 210 games and saved another 154. He finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting five times, and won the award once. He compiled 3,011 strikeouts, while only having a below-average ERA one time -- his rookie year, in which he only made 12 appearances.
Smoltz became a nationwide sports icon as part of the Braves' famed three-headed starting pitching monster, along with Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux. Between the three of them, they dominated the National League throughout the 1990s, as the three combined to take home all but one Cy Young between 1991 and 1998 (Pedro Martinez won in '97). They were the foundation of the Braves during their run of 14 straight division titles. Smoltz himself appeared in 24 different postseason series.
In those playoff games, Smoltz put together an absolutely stellar resume of success. He went 15-4 with a 2.65 ERA and four saves in 40 appearances. He was the youngster who valiantly fought against the feared veteran, Jack Morris, when nine innings weren't enough for either team to score a run in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. He was the grizzled veteran who willed the Braves to victory over the Astros in Game 4 of the 2004 NLDS.
If you go to the Braves' franchise records, which date all way back into the 1870s, you'll find Smoltz's name peppered throughout the pitching boards. He's fifth in wins, even though he spent a few years as one of the most dominant closers in baseball. He's fifth in innings pitched, fifth in K:BB ratio, sixth in adjusted ERA, and seventh in WHIP. He leaves the Braves with the most career strikeouts and saves in franchise history.
Through it all, the things that looked most familiar on Smoltz were his beard and a Braves uniform.
Trevor Hoffman
As a Padre -- which is hilarious because that literally means "as a father" -- Hoffman compiled an absolutely insane resume. He has saved a major league record 554 games in his career, and he's done it rather quickly, considering he's really only been a full-time closer for 13 full seasons. He's donned San Diego colors in six different All-Star games, and finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting four times.
You could always count on Hoffman to screw hitters into the ground with an absolutely devastating changeup. I can tell you from personal experience that a really great changeup is the most difficult pitch to hit with regular success. It won't miss bats nearly as often as a split-finger fastball, a blazing fastball, or a hard slider, but there is no pitch more frustrating. You feel like you're timing the swing perfectly, and -- next thing you know -- you are watching an infield popup or weak ground ball. Hoffman is a master of setting it up and finishing people off with this pitch, and the hitters have never been able to figure him out. Due to his perfecting of this pitch, he's only allowed 762 hits in 988 innings. His command has also been impeccable, helping to build a career WHIP of 1.05.
Hoffman played in the postseason four times for the Padres, and helped lead them to the World Series in easily his best season -- 1998, when he saved 53 games and sported a 1.48 ERA. It was during this World Series run when the nation as a whole caught an extended glimpse of what Padres fans already loved. When the Padres have a lead going into the ninth, you would brace yourself for the bells. That's right, you waited in anticipation to hear the "BONG ... BONG ... BONG," followed by AC/DC's "Hell's Bells," filling the October air. It wasn't quite Wild Thing, but it was still really exciting. Personally, I always hoped the bells were the intro to "For Whom the Bell Tolls," but I'm a Metallica fan.
Through it all, the things that looked most familiar on Hoffman were the obscenely high leg kick and the Padres uniform, with "Hell's Bells" blaring in the background.
The Verdict
Smoltz is going to look far more out of place, especially since he's switching leagues and joining the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. He's been a prominent part of so many more postseason games and big moments. Sure, he doesn't have the signature entrance music like Hoffman, but he's a bit more recognized nationally.
I firmly believe the transition will be easier on us baseball fans if Smoltz would shave. It's a clean slate, so it's also time to go cleanshaven.
For Hoffman, please don't take the Bells to Milwaukee. If you do, use Metallica instead.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Smoltz made 14 mil last year. The Bravos couldn't ante up 5.5 this year? Did he want to go out a winner? Not gonna happen in Atlanta, sure, but...damn.
Liberty Media is trading for clams. Not the money clams, neither -- the raw bivalves. Their market cap is lower than the value of the Braves franchise, I'm thinking.
Rat+Sinking Ship=John Smoltz is dead to me.
I'm actually looking forward to Smoltz joining that rivalry. I know most people will get sad about this, but I love the red sox yanks rivalry, so it was a little disappointing last year when the yankees were mediocre. Should be some good battles this year. Although neither one is as good as the Rays.
If the Yankees are only mediocre with the 7th (tied) best record in all of baseball. Why is it cared they spend so much?
Everyone has their opinions about the Yankees which are mostly unfounded rubbish. The one thing we all agree on it the fact ALL baseball players are overpaid regardless where they play. You hear in the news that the Yankees outbid the Redsox or whomever for a player. I don't hear the outcry of when the Redsox outbid the Braves for Smoltz. Braves bid $2mil with incentives, Sox $5.5mil with incentives. Out bid by over 2 times? Don't talk about loyalty cause we all know there is none. Because the Yankees arent in the news on this one, there is no outcry.
Smoltz and Penny together they have two (not 4) good shoulders between them (to bad not there pitching arms)
These are pathetic signings, all you need to do now is sign someone with a rare disease that saps there strength (OH Wait they the Sox did that - Rocco F*cking Baldelli....
Great move's John Henry...
The Sox could have had Tex for just 1.5mm more per year
The author forgot to mention that in the 1998 world series, Scott Brosius homered off of Hoffman to deep center field in Game 3. Smoltz has also been victimized by the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1996 world series and also in Game 4 of the 1999 world series. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I have mixed feelings about John leaving for Boston. I really feel he should have been more honest at least with his fans. I dont no what I want to believe between John leaving for another chance to play for a pennant or if he see`s the front office for what I see it for. When Liberty bought the team I was hoping someone finally was going to show some Interest in leaning towards another pennant. Since Liberty has had the team. We have settled for a mediocre Pitching coach, Lost an allstar center fielder, Paid a below average Pitcher to ride the bench with an injury long enough to leave via free agency, Traded in my opinion the best First baseman in baseball in order to cut payroll. We had the best infield combination with Furcal and Renteria and both are gone now. I dont no what Liberty bought the team for unless maybe the Yankees are behind that too so they can assure themselves that the Braves wont win another World series again. As far as John goes, I have been a diehard fan of his since coming to Atlanta for Doyle Alexander. Maybe he is justified with what he decided to do or maybe he shouldn`t have to give reasons to us at all. But as a fan that pays to watch him play. I would like to know the real story of why he left. This also is just my opinion. With all the arms and young guns Mcdowell has ruined since becoming Atlantas pitching coach, I have to wonder if the Braves had bought Leo back if John would still be here.
Question: did the Braves offer Smoots a contract?
He has a few wins in him yet but nothing worth what
he would want to be paid.
yes it is true the yankees did spend millions on trying to buy a series this year.Watch them all choke and then we will see who gets the last laugh.Smart the sox getting smoltz, and penney it will be worth the risk.All that is needed now is for tek to return and to get a quality infielder for part time and the sox will rule again in 09. go sox.
smotlz, (tee hee), and penny (har har har)...yeah thats gonna take them over the top...boston sucks, (and swallows)!
re Hoffman and the Padres ... Padres in this case means "priest" ... as in San Diego (Saint Diego) ... keeping the religious theme. And by the way, ralphgmiami, Yankees suck.
Hoffman and "Hells Bells" are instantly recognizable, as is Mo Rivera and "Enter Sandman". Smoltzie and came in to another AC/DC tune, "Thunderstruck" and it was an awsome sight at The Ted. But alas, those days are over.
I just hope geography does not play a part in any new theme songs 'cause the thought of Smoltzie coming out to Boston's "More than a feeling" sickens me only slightly less than the possibility of "Trevor-Time" being announced with a stirring rendition of the "Beer Barrel Polka"
Ugh!
what is it about the braves?....they wonder about attendance...but they dont keep popular players...except chipper....
The Braves have been going down hill since Ted lost control of them. Smoltzie owes none of the fans for leaving. He gave us fans his best for a long time. The pen coach they have is an idiot. I can't say I blame him for leaving just so he doesn't have to deal with the stupidity of Braves management decisions.
GOOD LUCK SMOLTZIE
Lets see here, Pettitte 14 - 14 & Mussina 20 - 9 for a combined 34 - 23 record, Sabathia 17 - 10 & Burnett 18 - 10 for a combined 35 - 20 and how many millions for 1 more win?The Sox signed Penny and Smoltz for 10.5 million. If they work out its a huge win if they don't it's not a huge finacial loss. While Burnett is a barley above mediocore pitcher when it's not his walk year (a proven fact) and Sabathia cant win in the playoffs (just ask the Red Sox). Who sucks now you dumbass Mellman? The Yankees over paid plain and simple.
Perfect post James, So why to Yankee haters care?
Over paying doesnt make you better. They simply paid a ridiculous amount of money to replace what was lost. And ,so far their payroll is lower than last season.They arent better in pitching than last season. If they are it will be because of a healthy Wang. LOL
What the Sox are doing, and I can't really blame them, is throwing a bunch of stuff at the wall--for short money----and seeing what sticks. Seems all they now need is a catcher. If they can't get a trade done with either Texas or Arizona in these next couple of weeks, I'd rather they sign I-Rod for a year, and go from there. As a Sox fan, I'm tired of seeing Varitek "whiff" with runners on base. He's "done" and was NOT worth the $40 mil he was paid these past 4 years.
Thats right RalphGMiami....now get the Braves fans pissed at you whydoncha?
You go Smoltzie!!! We hope you get to "love that dirty water"!!!!
19 hours my backside. This article has been on AOL for days.
The Yankees are under pressure to win this year with all this talent they have, BUT, zero chemistry, just expensive egos do not guarantee wins. good luck to ya! Red Sox 09