Post by Fish Troll on May 26, 2007 10:03:15 GMT -5
Notes: Braves enjoy Smoltz's mark
Win milestone a reflection, big part of team's historic run
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Having been around for the entirety of the Braves' run of 14 consecutive division titles, John Smoltz has participated in numerous champagne celebrations. But the one he enjoyed on Thursday night at Turner Field was unique in that it was aimed toward solely honoring him.
After Smoltz notched his 200th career victory in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Mets, Chipper Jones gathered all of the players in the clubhouse lounge area and delivered a toast to the 40-year-old hurler, who has seemingly gotten better with age.
"This is a team game, and I think he'll be the first one to tell you that we've all worked as a unit to get to this point," said Jones, who has been Smoltz's teammate since 1995. "Obviously, he's done the majority of it with some stellar pitching over a long period of time. We're all just extremely happy for him, knowing the 200 wins combined with the 150-plus saves cements his place where it should be, in Cooperstown."
Becoming the first pitcher to compile both 200 wins and 150 saves in a career obviously provides a lasting legacy for Smoltz. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the only other pitcher with 150 wins and 150 saves. His 390 saves sent him to Cooperstown, and his 197 wins only proved how successfully versatile he was in his 24 Major League seasons.
Smoltz's current Cooperstown credentials include much more than 200 wins and 154 saves. His Major League-record 15 postseason wins combined with the sheer dominance he's displayed both as a starter and closer has already led many Hall of Fame voters to conclude they'll include him on their ballots.
While he doesn't have a vote, Braves manager Bobby Cox is convinced Smoltz will someday join former teammates Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine in the Hall of Fame. Cox has seen the determined Smoltz battle back from four separate elbow surgeries, make the unselfish move to the closer's role following Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery and now once again become one of the game's top starting pitchers.
"He's kind of the unsung captain, I think," Cox said. "He keeps everybody loose. He's a great clubhouse guy, great community guy for the city. He does an awful lot for a lot of people, and he's been a great pitcher to have."
Since dislocating his right pinky on May 14, Smoltz has recorded 14 consecutive scoreless innings against the potent offenses possessed by the Red Sox and Mets. Less than two weeks since celebrating his 40th birthday, he finds himself ranked near the top of many National League pitching categories.
He ranks first in wins (seven), sixth in ERA (2.58) fourth in strikeouts (60) and second in night games ERA (1.62).
"He's had shutout stuff all year," Braves catcher Brian McCann said.
Minor Leaguer suspended: Class A Rome's Brandon Monk has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating the Minor League drug treatment and prevention program. But this doesn't specifically mean that he has tested positive for an illegal substance.
It's believed that Monk;s suspension was a result of not filing paperwork on time. Because of a pre-existing medical condition, he is taking medication that includes a banned substance.
With MLB's review and approval of the paperwork, he would be allowed to continue using the medication.
Monk, a 20 year-old infielder from LaGrange, Ga., began serving the suspension Friday. He is hitting .174 in 69 at-bats with Rome this year.
Braves bits: Cox entered Friday night's series opener against the Phillies one win shy of 2,200 for his career. Two weeks ago, he passed Sparky Anderson to claim sole possession of fourth place on the all-time wins list. ... Chipper Jones might return to the lineup on Saturday. In hopes of reducing the swelling, he received a cortisone shot in his bruised right palm on Wednesday night. ... With his 350th career double Thursday, Edgar Renteria joined Omar Vizquel and Derek Jeter as the only active shortstops with at least 1,800 hits, 350 doubles and 250 stolen bases.
Devine optioned: As expected, after Friday night's loss to the Phillies, the Braves announced they had optioned Joey Devine back to Double-A Mississippi. The move created room for them to purchase the contract of Buddy Carlyle, who has posted a 2.59 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A Richmond this year.
Coming Up: The Braves will continue their three-game series against the Phillies on Saturday afternoon at 3:55 p.m. ET. Atlanta will send Buddy Carlyle to the mound to make his season debut against Philadelphia's Adam Eaton (4-3, 5.70) at Turner Field.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Win milestone a reflection, big part of team's historic run
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA -- Having been around for the entirety of the Braves' run of 14 consecutive division titles, John Smoltz has participated in numerous champagne celebrations. But the one he enjoyed on Thursday night at Turner Field was unique in that it was aimed toward solely honoring him.
After Smoltz notched his 200th career victory in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Mets, Chipper Jones gathered all of the players in the clubhouse lounge area and delivered a toast to the 40-year-old hurler, who has seemingly gotten better with age.
"This is a team game, and I think he'll be the first one to tell you that we've all worked as a unit to get to this point," said Jones, who has been Smoltz's teammate since 1995. "Obviously, he's done the majority of it with some stellar pitching over a long period of time. We're all just extremely happy for him, knowing the 200 wins combined with the 150-plus saves cements his place where it should be, in Cooperstown."
Becoming the first pitcher to compile both 200 wins and 150 saves in a career obviously provides a lasting legacy for Smoltz. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is the only other pitcher with 150 wins and 150 saves. His 390 saves sent him to Cooperstown, and his 197 wins only proved how successfully versatile he was in his 24 Major League seasons.
Smoltz's current Cooperstown credentials include much more than 200 wins and 154 saves. His Major League-record 15 postseason wins combined with the sheer dominance he's displayed both as a starter and closer has already led many Hall of Fame voters to conclude they'll include him on their ballots.
While he doesn't have a vote, Braves manager Bobby Cox is convinced Smoltz will someday join former teammates Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine in the Hall of Fame. Cox has seen the determined Smoltz battle back from four separate elbow surgeries, make the unselfish move to the closer's role following Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery and now once again become one of the game's top starting pitchers.
"He's kind of the unsung captain, I think," Cox said. "He keeps everybody loose. He's a great clubhouse guy, great community guy for the city. He does an awful lot for a lot of people, and he's been a great pitcher to have."
Since dislocating his right pinky on May 14, Smoltz has recorded 14 consecutive scoreless innings against the potent offenses possessed by the Red Sox and Mets. Less than two weeks since celebrating his 40th birthday, he finds himself ranked near the top of many National League pitching categories.
He ranks first in wins (seven), sixth in ERA (2.58) fourth in strikeouts (60) and second in night games ERA (1.62).
"He's had shutout stuff all year," Braves catcher Brian McCann said.
Minor Leaguer suspended: Class A Rome's Brandon Monk has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating the Minor League drug treatment and prevention program. But this doesn't specifically mean that he has tested positive for an illegal substance.
It's believed that Monk;s suspension was a result of not filing paperwork on time. Because of a pre-existing medical condition, he is taking medication that includes a banned substance.
With MLB's review and approval of the paperwork, he would be allowed to continue using the medication.
Monk, a 20 year-old infielder from LaGrange, Ga., began serving the suspension Friday. He is hitting .174 in 69 at-bats with Rome this year.
Braves bits: Cox entered Friday night's series opener against the Phillies one win shy of 2,200 for his career. Two weeks ago, he passed Sparky Anderson to claim sole possession of fourth place on the all-time wins list. ... Chipper Jones might return to the lineup on Saturday. In hopes of reducing the swelling, he received a cortisone shot in his bruised right palm on Wednesday night. ... With his 350th career double Thursday, Edgar Renteria joined Omar Vizquel and Derek Jeter as the only active shortstops with at least 1,800 hits, 350 doubles and 250 stolen bases.
Devine optioned: As expected, after Friday night's loss to the Phillies, the Braves announced they had optioned Joey Devine back to Double-A Mississippi. The move created room for them to purchase the contract of Buddy Carlyle, who has posted a 2.59 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A Richmond this year.
Coming Up: The Braves will continue their three-game series against the Phillies on Saturday afternoon at 3:55 p.m. ET. Atlanta will send Buddy Carlyle to the mound to make his season debut against Philadelphia's Adam Eaton (4-3, 5.70) at Turner Field.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070525&content_id=1985438&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
