Congrats to John Smoltz

Last night, the Braves played the Washington Nationals, and John Smoltz got strikeout number three-thousand in his career.  This is a major achievement, and should cement his eventual election to the Hall of Fame (not that there was much doubt beforehand).  Unfortunately, the Braves didn’t get the win despite Smoltz holding the Nats to only one run in his seven innings.

Smoltz is the sixteenth pitcher to reach the 3000 strikeout mark.  Some of the active players he joins:  Roger Clemens (4672), Randy Johnson (4629), Greg Maddux (3287), Curt Schilling (3116), and Pedro Martinez (3031).  Behind him, there are only seven active players with more than two thousand, and only Mike Mussina (2670) and Tom Glavine (2576) are close, but neither of them will likely reach 3000 before they retire.

Smoltz finished the past couple of years with an average of 204 K’s, so keeping close to that pace, he could finish with over 3500, putting him somewhere in the top 10 all time.  With the specialization in the bull pen and the way managing pitchers is changing, John my be in the top 10 for a very long time.  In fact, it will be difficult for anyone to displace him the way today’s game is played.

Last night, my son and I were driving home from his baseball practice listening to the game on XM Radio (thanks XM).  I will remember where we were when that strikeout came for many years to come.  I wish I had been home with the rest of my family to see the pitch.  My wife described it for me.  A typical sinker from Smoltz that dropped late and had the batter totally off balance.

Maddux, who was a teammate with Smoltz and Glavine for many successful years with the Braves, is said to have sent John a congratulatory text message.  Maddux told Smoltz that now he had one strike out for every hair he had lost. :)  Great to have friends to celebrate career milestones with you.

So congrats to John Smoltz.  A well deserved honor for a great pitcher.

CC

Nolan Ryan (5714),