John Smoltz: Baseball’s version of Brett Favre?

Logan on 08 20, 2009

John Smoltz has reportedly signed a deal Wednesday that will make him a part of the St. Louis Cardinals’. Whether he’ll take over the 5th spot in the rotation or work out of the bullpen remains to be seen, although he vehemently opposed appearing out of the ’pen in Boston, so it’s safe to assume it won’t be the latter.

Maybe it has gone unnoticed because this guy isn’t an egotistical joke like his NFL counterpart Favre, but Smoltz is similar to the Vikings’ new QB in the fact that he can’t seem to comprehend what it means to be unable to perform to the ability that he once could. Like Favre, who holds numerous prolific passing records in the NFL, Smoltz is a guaranteed Hall of Fame inductee as soon as both decide to retire.

The only question is when, if ever, will that happen?

Both are certainly in the decline of their respective careers and both have an undeniable passion for their profession. However neither seems to have the ability to simply let it go. I can certainly understand one’s desire to continue being a part of the sport that they love, however when you’re no longer having a positive impact on your club, you need to recognize that.

The Boston Red Sox’s front office has recently found success in acquiring “low risk/high reward” type players. Roster additions such as Takashi Saito and Brad Penny have been solid contributors for the Sox this season, but the same approach in signing John Smoltz may have done more harm than good. In his eight starts with Boston this season Smoltz went 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA and averaged just five innings per start. Smoltz’s negative impact with the Red Sox went beyond the box score. With averaging so few innings per start, he depleted the bullpen on not only the games in which he pitched, but the games that followed. Also, his spot in the rotation forced 25 year old Clay Buchholz to stay in Pawtucket (Red Sox’s AAA affiliate). With Buchholz’s recent string of quality starts, most recently out dueling Cy Young favorite Roy Halladay (in Toronto nonetheless), it’s tough for Boston fans knowing that all those Smoltz starts could have been given to Buchholz.

As someone who made a point to watch the games in which Smoltz pitched with the Red Sox, I can attest that his lackluster statistics are an accurate depiction of the way he is pitching at this point in his career. Smoltz has lost the ability to command his off-speed pitches the way he once could and doesn’t have any life, or movement for that matter, on his fastball. If the Cardinals expect this old man to help propel them to a playoff birth, they’re delusional to put it mildly. (Note: I’m not saying the Cardinals will not make the post-season, because I certainly believe they are one of the NL’s top teams, but if they do play meaningful October baseball it will not be because of this man)

The Cardinals have gotten very little production for their 5th starters this season, so signing Smoltz may seem like a smart move to some, but it’s hard to imagine the 42 year old has much left in the tank after watching him struggle so mightily this season.

Smoltz is the only pitcher to win 200 games while also amassing 150 saves, making his induction to Cooperstown a certainty. His career 3.32 ERA combined with over 3,000 strikeouts most certainly put him in elite company. However, after spending the first two decades of his career with the Atlanta Braves, the sight of him wearing a uniform other than that of the Braves is dampening his legacy…remind you of anyone else? Some players have an unquenchable desire to continue playing the game that they love, and as I stated earlier, that’s understandable if not respectable. Unfortunately some of those same players, like Smoltz and Favre in particular, just don’t seem to know when it’s time to hang it up so to speak.

Let’s hope that after Smoltz gets worked over in his next few starts that a Cardinals uniform will be the last that we have to see him wear. Fortunately for Smoltz, he is so respected amongst peers and fans alike that when he retires most everyone will focus on his success with Atlanta, and not the less than mediocre pitcher we’re forced to watch presently.

On behalf of baseball fans everywhere: Give it up Smoltz. Please.