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...
faced fifth five great last time
It's the fifth time we've faced each other over the last two years. He's up 3-2, but it's been five great games.
handled himself last liked saw since
I like him a lot. I've liked him ever since I saw the way he handled himself after what he went through last year.
bruise lasts seen
I've never seen a bruise that lasts all year.
beat certainly game hooked last thoughts time
My thoughts are I better be on my game. I think Game 4, the last time we hooked up in the World Series, he certainly was on his, and he beat us.
last matter philosophy pitch
After last season, I had to make some changes. I couldn't keep going with the philosophy that I had to pitch no matter what.
chance given honestly last match people pitching staff stay took year
I honestly think if people would give this staff a chance to find its own identity, given what took place last year with Sosa pitching so well, we have the capabilities to match up with any other staff if we can stay healthy.
against dealing four ironic last people picking understand written year
People don't understand every year for the last four years we've been dealing with being written off. It's kind of ironic people are picking us now because they don't want to pick against us.
again excited fault figured five last learn mine routine
A fault of mine is to get too excited about the first game. I kind of figured it out, then had a different routine for five years and had to learn it all over again last year.
doubts left pitching
The doubts are going to be there, ... But I think I have a lot of pitching left in me.
everybody figure
Just like everybody else, he's going to have to go through it. You've got to figure it out yourself. It's what everybody has had to do.
bearing game hear
You will not hear me say once after Game 1 that had any bearing whatsoever.
closest playoff
It's the closest thing you can get to a playoff game.
talking tired
I'm tired of talking about it. But that's just the way it is.
gone mentally
You can't go through what I've gone through, ... and not be mentally tough.