John Smoltz Reaches 3000 Strikeout Mark
April 22, 2008
For our anniversary in 2004, Sara surprised me with tickets to a Braves/Rangers baseball game in Arlington just before we flew to Rwanda. It was the first time I’d gotten to see the Braves play in person, and it was a great night.
Tonight, John Smoltz struck out Felipe Lopez of the Washington Nationals for his 3000th career strikeout.
In his career, he has gone from Cy Young-winning starter, to dominant closer, back to ace starter. His decision to move to the bullpen cost him a shot at winning 300 games, but with his 200+ wins, 150+ saves, and now 3000 Ks, he’s a lock for the Hall of Fame. How many others have won 20 games in a season, and saved 40? Not many.
The Braves definitely got the better end of this deal with the Tigers! It will be a sad day when the Braves retire #29, and Smoltzie hangs up his glove for the last time. Hopefully, that’s at least a few years away.
John Smoltz during BP against the Rangers, 2004.
And one of Julio Franco from that same game, who, at 78 years of age, was still living the dream!
Posted in Life
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
GKB,
I’ve been a Braves fan my entire life. It was great growing up in Atlanta during their transition from worst to first back in ‘92. My wife and I try to make a game whenever they’re in Houston. I’m hopeful that Smoltz — a good Presbyterian — will make it in the Hall. I get a little worried when former Braves great, Dale Murphy, hasn’t yet received his ticket.
BTW, have you been having fun with Cope’s blog this week?
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Sean,
Has something been going on on Cope’s blog?!?
April 24th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Greg-
You know, I’m sure, that the Braves play in Arlington again this season, June 17-19. Should be three pretty easy wins for Atlanta the way things are going right now.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Smoltz will make it to the HOF. But, whenever I hear someone is a “locK,” I always think of poor Bert Blyleven. He played on crappy teams, and still compiled these stats…
- 287 Wins
- 242 Complete Games
- 3,701 Strike Outs
- 3.31 Career ERA
- 0 for 10 in Hall of Fame balloting
April 24th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Poor ol Bert. Surely he’ll get in one of these years.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Well, the trade helped the Tigers in the (very) short-term — Doyle Alexander went 9-0 and helped the Tigs win the division.
Long-term? Not so much.
April 26th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
go John go!!! and keep going!!!
nice photos