Red Sox in Cooperstown Pt. 35: John Smoltz

JOHN SMOLTZ
Years in Boston: 2009 (2-5, 8.33 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 9 walks, 40 innings pitched)
Best Year in Boston: 2009 (2-5, 8.33 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 9 walks, 40 innings pitched)

This is a somewhat timely post as Smoltz was one of the primary announcers during the Red Sox run through the 2018 World Series.  He came off fairly curmudgeonly and bitter.

Smoltz was nearing the end of his career when he signed a free agent deal with the Red Sox before the 2009 season.  He was 42 years old and coming off of a season in which he pitched in just eight games.  This was his first time wearing a Major League uniform for a team other than the Atlanta Braves for whom he had won 210 games, saved 154, and struck out over 3,000 batters.

Things did not work out well for Smoltz in Boston unfortunately.  He pitched in just eight games with an awful 2-5 record and an 8.33 ERA.  His control was decent as he struck out 33 and walked just nine in 40 innings. 

The Red Sox cut ties with Smoltz in August of 2009 and he hooked on with the Cardinals to finish out the year, and his career.  He made an appearance in the postseason with St. Louis.  Smoltz's time in Boston was brief and not at all successful.  Smoltz was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015, his first year on the ballot.  He wears a Braves cap on his plaque.  There was no way in hell he was going to be wearing a Red Sox cap.

Oh Sure, Smoltz Can Have a Post Too...

Pedro Martinez is not the only former Red Sox pitcher to make it into the Hall of Fame this year.  Of course, John Smoltz is not in the Hall of Fame because of his time with Boston.  Smoltz was just 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA in eight games with Boston.  So his time with Boston was rather forgettable.  These are just two out of the ten Red Sox Smoltz cards I have, along with my only relic.  I just thought I would show him a little appreciation since I did the huge Pedro post yesterday.

Busts Pt. 16: John Smoltz

Sometimes, offseason acquisitions work out. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes, they are spectacular failures.JOHN SMOLTZ
John Smoltz will be in the Hall of Fame some day. But that has absolutely nothing to do with his short time with the Boston Red Sox. Smoltz had proven his ability as both a terrific starter and an excellent closer during his time with the Braves. He wanted to return to Atlanta for his final season in 2009, but felt like the team did not want him, so he spurned their offer and signed a contract with the Red Sox.

With Boston, Smoltz really showed his age. The 42 year old pitched to a record of 2-5 with an 8.33 ERA in eight games. He did strike out 33 against only nine walks in 40 innings, but it was clear he was not going to be much help in the rotation for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox decided to eat his contract and cut him loose. He did catch on with the Cardinals and improved somewhat, but retired at the end of the season.

Smoltz will go down as one of those pitchers who hung on just a little longer than he should have and played with some teams that will be forgotten about in a few years.