John Smoltz
John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz, nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke," is an American former baseball pitcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time All-Star, Smoltz was one of a celebrated trio of starting pitchers, along with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, who propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s, highlighted by a championship in the 1995 World Series. He won the National LeagueCy Young Award...
third
If it were the old way there would have been another four-spot in that third inning.
adjustment body four next time together
I'm getting there. I've made an adjustment and my body just has to get used to it. I'll go four (innings) next time and just try to put it together little by little.
continue hudson opening starter
Hudson is the Opening Day starter of the future, and as long as he's here, he's going to continue being the Opening Day starter.
arm break hand hitter mechanics needs position
I think it's because my mechanics are so much better. My arm and hand are in a position where I couldn't get them consistently before. I still break down. ... But more times than not, it's right where it needs to be and the hitter isn't recognizing it yet. It's going to be a weapon.
baton turn
Hopefully, I can turn the baton over to them.
contain fun games latter learned
The anticipation is what kills me, ... I have more fun in these games than I have in any game I pitch. The issue's going to be will I be able to contain that adrenaline. I learned how to do that in my latter years.
baseball beg division good guys playing terms
I beg to differ. One through five, they're as good as most people. I don't know if there's going to be a better division in baseball in terms of playing these guys 18 times.
biggest game knew start time waited
I knew the first inning was going to be my biggest inning, ... I waited a long time to start a game of this magnitude. When I got through the first inning, that was the biggest test.
week
This whole week is important, not just necessarily tomorrow.
coming dealing dream great hard imagine left possible realize reason rookies seeing spring time training truly
The reason why we're seeing such a great celebration is we realize how hard we've worked, ... This truly is a dream season. I didn't think it was possible in May. I didn't think it was possible from the time we left spring training with all the things we were dealing with. I mean, who could imagine 12 rookies coming up here at different times?
adrenaline boost boy brian changed home run threw
When Brian threw that home run, boy it changed the whole game. That home run was pretty much the adrenaline boost I need to get through the game.
ecstasy either feelings
When you're put in this position, you have either one of two feelings gut-wrenching or ecstasy ... there's nothing else you can feel,
fortunate games guys last three
We're fortunate that more guys in the last three games didn't have (injuries) happen.
boost capability coming confidence contribute great guys happens imagine matter rash whenever
Whenever you see a rash of new guys coming through, you never imagine they can contribute the way that they did. I think it's a great boost of confidence for them to be able to feel that no matter what happens this year, they have the capability to be a big part of our organization.