Yardbarker: John Smoltz

Frankie gets the record

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:48:42 -0500

It's not exactly one of baseball's most hallowed records, but Francisco Rodriguez did break a record that's incredibly hard to top. Frankie got his 35th save Monday night, the most ever before the All-Star break, breaking John Smoltz's 34. K-Rod has had an incredible season in a year where he's been counted on more than ever [...]

Fantasy History of Wins

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:06:17 -0500

The Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame is back, turning its attention to pitchers in the 6th installment of a series investigating statistical trends over the past 3 decades.

Red Sox and Cubs Each to Send 7 Players to All-Star Game

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:46:07 -0500

The Red Sox and Cubs are the only two teams to send 7 players to the All-Star game. Cubs catcher Geovany Soto is the first rookie catcher ever in the NL and Kosuke Fukodome is the first rookie outfielder since Frank Robinson in 1956. The other NL teams each have two players named to the team. Other Cubs named are Alfonso Soriano, who is soon to come off the DL after a hand injury, Aramis Ramirez and pitchers, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood. Wood is in rare company, along with Rich Goassage, Dennis Eckersley and John Smoltz to be named to the squad as a starter and a closer.
The Red Sox had four starters voted in by fans: Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Added reserves are Jonathan Papelbon, Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew.

Tampa Bay Rays are the New .... ?

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:51:02 -0500

The Tampa Bay Rays have taken the AL East and all of baseball by storm. They are attempting to go from worst-to-first as has happened only a few times in the past. But the Rays remind us...remind us A LOT...of another media darling that took the sport by storm. See how similar these two teams really are...

Three Peas in a Pod

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:50:04 -0500

The end of this season could mean the end for two potential Hall of Fame pitchers and a third, who has enjoyed a long career. Curt Schilling, John Smoltz and John Lieber are all publicly contemplating the inevitable in the last few days. Time marches on for us all but there must be a special melancholy reserved for professional athletes. They have all been playing their sports for as long as they can remember. As children, they must have been stars from an early age and now, at 40+ years of age, they must think about life after baseball.

2008 All-Injured Team

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:10:45 -0500

Frustrated with all the MLB players hurt? Here is a great article looking at the All-Injured Team so far in 2008...

Comparing Glavine, Maddux, and Smoltz

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:51:17 -0500

For over a decade, the Atlanta Braves featured a trio of starting pitchers unequaled at that time, and possibly the greatest trio ever to pitch together for such a period. Now, Smoltz has had another operation, on his shoulder this time, and may never pitch again. Glavine, never on the DL before this year, has already had two stints on the DL. ESPN reporters and everyone in Atlanta are talking about the possibility that all three could retire at the same time, creating an unparalleled Atlanta celebration at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony 5 years later. In honor of the three great pitchers, here's a rundown of their greatest stats, and which one I think is the best. Tom Glavine (1987-pres.) - The definition of a crafty left-hander, Tom Glavine has been a model of consistency for two decades. Winner of 2 Cy Young Awards and the World Series MVP in 1995, Glavine joined the 300 win club last year as a Met. His career record is 305-202, with a 3.53 ERA. Glavine has the 4th most wins by any lefty, and started over 30 games in all but 3 years since becoming a full time major leaguer in 1988. He even started 25 games in the strike-shortened 1994. Glavine left the Braves for the Mets in 2003, but returned to the Braves this year. Greg Maddux (1986-pres.) - A man you would think more likely to be a professor than a professional athlete, Maddux has been tricking hitters for as long as I can remember. Maddux is 9th on the all-time wins list with a record of 350-218, in front of greats such as Nolan Ryan, Phil Niekro, and Don Sutton. Maddux has been a model of consistency almost as much as Glavine, starting about the same number of games in every season for a total of 721 starts! Maddux is also a member of the 3,000 K club, in spite of never being known for overpowering stuff. Maddux is 11th on the all-time strikeout list, and could easily sneak into the top 10 before the end of the year, only needing 26 more to pass Phil Niekro. Maddux's career ERA of 3.12, and from 1992-1998 he was almost unhittable with his ERA exceeding 2.50 only once in those 7 seasons. His dominance yielded 4 straight Cy Young's from 1992-1995 (a record which has since been tied by the Big Unit). In addition, Maddux has always fielded his position well, winning a staggering 17 Gold Glove Awards between 1990 and 2007 (that's 17 in 18 years, incredible). Maddux has not pitched less than 198 innings in any season since 1987, and set a record by winning 15 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons. John Smoltz (1988-pres.) - Widely considered to be in a two-man club with Dennis Eckersley, Smoltz is the only pitcher to win 200 games, save 150, and strikeout over 3,000 hitters. Plagued by arm problems later in his career, Smoltz's ERA has not exceeded 3.50 since 1994. Smoltz's career record is 210-147 with a career 3.26 ERA. In addition, much has been made of his postseason success, a 2.70 ERA in 203 IP. John won his Cy Young in 1996, as a starter. However, as dominant as he was as a starter, his best year was in 2003, notching 45 saves in 49 opportunities with a stellar 1.12 ERA. Smoltz always had the hardest stuff of the 3 All-Stars, and achieved his 3,000 strikeouts in significantly fewer innings. In summary, the three won 7 Cy Youngs in the 8 years from 1991 to 1998, and the highest career ERA for any of the 3 is 3.53. Remembering that all of them pitched through the entire steroids era, that's an absolutely incredible feat. I believe Maddux to be the best of the three, and a no-brainer first ballot Hall member. Smoltz belongs in that club as well, one of the few pitchers to achieve success as a starter and a reliever, and absolutely dominating for short stretches. Glavine should also be in the Hall of Fame; his stats aren't quite as gaudy as Maddux and Smoltz, but winning 300 games during the steroids era should be sufficient for immediate entry. Let's hope these three friends can go into Cooperstown together. All three were consummate professionals and represented themselves and baseball well at all times.

Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame - Pitcher Inductions

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:26:31 -0500

Razzball.com and FBHOF.com moves onto the best starting pitchers of the Fantasy Era. Today, 8 of the greatest are immortalized in html.

Bad News For Braves' Elder Statesmen

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:20:32 -0500

John Smoltz had surgery on his shoulder yesterday and received something less than good news. Is he out of the game for good? And if that's not enough bad news for the Braves, Tom Glavine is on the DL for his second time this year.

MLB Fantasy Minute - Week 10

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:24:47 -0500

Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon breaks out his famed MLB Fantasy Minute and breaks down the MLB's top five stories. Jay Bruce is living up to the hype and then some; Braves pitchers haven't been kind to fantasy GMs and the National League is on fire. Mr. Yoon has all if it covered and much more.

MLB Stock Market - June 5th Edition

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:44:02 -0500

Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon runs down several baseball Bulls and several baseball Bears in the latest edition of Stock Market. Jay Bruce? Oh yea, he's definitely a bull. Joba Chamberlain? Ehhhh ... not so much.

Beyond the Boxscore - Fantasy MLB News and Notes 06/04/08

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:29:18 -0500

A breakdown of all that was and how it will affect your fantasy team in the MLB on 6/4/08. Injury news, updates and advice.

John Smoltz's Season, and Maybe Career, Is Over

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:23:38 -0500

John Smoltz has been one of the best pitchers of his generation. He decided today to undergo season-ending surgery that will end his season, and possibly his career. Even if he never picks up a baseball again he is worthy of a spot in the Hall of Fame.

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/3

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:07:07 -0500

John Smoltz lasted just one game before electing to undergo season-ending surgery. Rafael Soriano, coming off his own injury, takes over for the Braves who also await the return of Mike Gonzalez. Most other bullpen situations have stabilized for now, but some players will be prime candidates to be traded to contenders very soon. Find out who in this week's Closer Report plus rankings for middle relievers.

Fantasy Rundown: Pedro Returns to the Mound

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:00:48 -0500

Pedro Martinez made his return to the Mets a victorious one. He should provide a huge boost to New York, and he can still help your fantasy team. Some other guy named Joba also debuted as a starter, a pitcher not named Smoltz got the save for Atlanta, and another prospect (Radhames Liz) flew under the radar and pitched well for Baltimore.