The new Betty Ford Clinic?

John Smoltz and Brad Penny. Both aging, both injured, both trying to come back -- and both pulled out of the recycling bin by Theo Epstein in the off-season. Both committed themselves to doing everything they could to return, so they signed on for the Red Sox Rehab Program. Mike Reinold has developed an incredible rehab program for pitchers - and Penny himself said he thought it had saved his arm.

Unfortunately, our reclamation projects had little success with the Sox. They were continually knocked around by American League hitters, and the Sox eventually released them both. Well, they did offer them the chance to continue in the bullpen, but both declined.

As noted previously, Smoltz was picked up by the Cardinals, and has twice pitched well. (Today not so much - 6 innings so far, 4 earned runs, including a 2-run homer). The Cards claim that Smoltz was "tipping his pitches," meaning he was giving off some clues in his delivery that gave away what pitch was coming. I don't buy that - with all the high-tech gadgetry the Sox have, someone would have picked up on that. Wouldn't they?

Penny pitched for the first time last night for the SF Giants, his new team. He pitched EIGHT innings - he never went more than six for the Sox. No earned runs. Of course, only 2 strike-outs, so he had some good defense behind him.

What is going on?? Are these aging arms using the Sox' expertise on shoulder issues to come back, then tanking so they can move on to something more lucrative? Are the Sox not giving these guys enough time to come back, enough time to pay off on our investment?

Or is that the National League is a far inferior league? These two got battered all over the place by AL hitters, yet seem to be stupifying the NLers.

Of course, they both have a lot to prove. They're professional athletes and, therefore, proud. They clearly want to continue to compete at the highest level, so they've come out strong, come out with everything. They both put a great deal into the starts with their new teams. Time will tell if they can keep it up over the next few weeks, the last of the season, as both of their new teams seem headed to post-season play.

It's unfortunate that the two teams don't meet again in the regular season. I would love to see them head to head. I guess it would be too much to hope for that both of their arms might fall off.....

Sometimes your heart is broken

I don't think I've been as excited about a signing as I was when the Sox signed John Smoltz in the off-season. I'd followed his career for years - the Scenic City is nearly a suburb of Atlanta, so all Atlanta sports get top billing on the local news. Folks around here couldn't believe that the Braves cut Smoltzy lose - and most were interested to see how he'd perform in the AL and as he recovered from shoulder surgery.

I followed his progress all spring and into early summer. I just knew his experience would make him an important figure in the clubhouse, and I witnessed some of his leadership in Detroit in June. Before each game, there would be Smoltz out in left field with Jonathan Papelbon, talking, discussing, coaching. Sometimes they were joined by pitching coach John Farrell, or one of the other veteran pitchers like Wakefield. But you had a sense Smoltz was giving Paps the benefit of his experience as a closer, advice that the brash young closer needs to hear.

Then, suddenly, it looked like he was really going to pitch for the Sox. And - miraculously - his first start was scheduled for a game I was going to be attending. Not only attending, but sitting in a seat right behind home plate. I order my shirt from the Yawkey Way store, charged the camera batteries, and waited to see him in action.

Smoltzy got shelled early in that first start in DC, but then settled in nicely. He ended his outing by striking out the side. My heart soared. This looked good. But then came his other starts. He'd give us a few good innings, then fall apart for one inning. After getting shelled by the Yankees, the Sox had to take a step back and reassess. It looked like the bullpen might be the best place for him, and they offered him that option.

But Smoltz had other ideas. He felt he still had it in him to start. And he found a team willing to take that gamble: the St Louis Cardinals. He started his first game for them this weekend - and set a new Card record for consecutive strike outs, getting the win.

I'm happy (somewhat) for him, but his performance raises a ton of questions. It's too early to say "He's back," certainly. But what does this say about the state of the National League? If the corpse of John Smoltz can beat your team, wow. And it again shows the supremacy of the hitting in the American League. Pitchers of a certain age would do well to watch this as well - it looks like their agents need to start negotiation with the Senior Circuit.

Time will tell how this plays out. We need to see him in another game, because I suspect adrenalin and pride played huge roles in this performance. Plus, they were playing the Padres! And was he really tipping his pitches, as some were suggesting today. If so - why didn't the Sox and John Farrell pick up on this? I can't imagine that such a quick fix was all he needed.

Meanwhile, for me, the feel-good story of the season didn't end the way I had hoped and planned - with Smoltz pitching for the Red Sox in the World Series. But perhaps we will face him there - and kick his butt back into retirement!

An update from the road

The Washington leg of my Red Sox road trip wrapped this morning. Kelly & I went to two of the three Red Sox-Nationals' games - and had a ton of fun! The Sox won Wednesday, 6-4, in a fairly tight ballgame. Homers from Tek and Big Papi made the difference. Unfortunately, they lost Thursday night, a game which marked the return to pitching for John Smoltz. He was shaky at the outset - giving up 4 runs in the first. But then he seemed to settle down, finishing by striking out the side in the 5th. I think we might see some fun stuff from him this year.

Meanwhile, Kelly once again proved to be an expert at procuring tickets. Wednesday night, we were in separate seats, albeit in adjoining sections. I was literally in the first row on the right field side of the Nats' dugout. But the next night was fantastic. In the picture at top, I am literally standing at my seat. First row behind home. I was closer to the batters than the pitcher. It provided some solace for the loss.

This morning, we left our Nation's Capital, and are here in Atlanta for three games between those "natural rivals," the Red Sox and Braves. And tonight, we are have purchased VIP passes to stand on the field during batting practice! I doubt they'll let me take a swing, but you never know!

Is Smoltzie in my future?

So, it looks like I might see Smoltz pitch on the next road trip. Although it's not quite clear when he'll be activated - he could have one more start in Pawtucket. What is sure is that he has to be added to the roster by June 19th. If that happens, and he goes into the starting rotation, I should see him pitch on my next trip - Washington and Atlanta. Yeah!!

Meanwhile, a couple of killer games. I went out to dinner with friends Friday night, and couldn't believe it when I got home at 9:15 and it was already the 8th inning. I thought it would be an early night - but the Phillies had other ideas. After tying it up, the game went to 13 innings! But we won! And last night's game included a one hour thirty five minute rain delay - I was seriously dozing at the computer. But it was all good - another interleague victory. At least it's an afternoon game today, followed by an off-day tomorrow. Phew!

Welcome John Smoltz!

AP Photo
John Smoltz was introduced today as the newest member of the Boston Red Sox. He says he's "determined" to contribute to the team, and to pitch well again.

I really like this pick up. And after gazing at some of the lovely eye candy of last year (I'm looking at you, Jacoby), it's kind of refreshing to have another handsome, veteran player to cheer for. :)

I can't stop looking at this photo!

The end of the Big Three?

Back in the day - the 90s, that is! - this was arguably the best 1-2-3 pitching rotation in baseball. John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux helped the Atlanta Braves hit the playoffs year after year - and win the 95 World Series. They were an incredible team - highly competitive with each other on and off the field, and good friends.

Baseball being the business it is, they ended up going on to other teams - Glavine to the Mets, Maddox finishing this year with the Dodgers. And 2008 was a rough year on the three now-aging hurlers - neither Smoltz nor Glavine were able to finish out the year due to injury, although neither has "retired" as yet.

On Monday, however, Maddox will announce his retirement at the Mid-Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. He'll end his career one victory ahead of Clemens (yeah!), and seems like a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Which could bring about an interesting scenario: if Glavine and Smoltz follow suit and retire, all three would become eligible at the same time for the Hall. How incredibly awesome would it be to see these three standing together on the stage in Cooperstown, accepting membership in that august institution?

If there is any sense of karma, any sense of history, any justice among the baseball writers, this should happen in five years!