Alright, so things have settled and the cream has risen to the top of the bottle. And by that I mean, after thinking it through this Smoltz situation is about one thing: Mind over Matter. We're going to let Sandy Koufax do a lot of talking in this article. Let's have a look at a few things, shall we?
Smoltzy's first start with as much hype surrounding it as there was that no matter what the outcome was he was getting a "freebie" on that game. But during the game he was throwing breaking ball after breaking ball. If he was trying to finesse a free swinging group of players that would be one thing, but he's toeing the rubber against the nationals without Adam Dunn in the lineup. Go after them and just own them, PLEASE. The first of many Koufax quotes in this piece is: "I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started to make them hit it." Moral of this quote: You're already a hall of fame pitcher. You have nothing else to prove but get back that fire and determination and go out there and throw the shit out of the ball!
On to the dreaded Baltimore debacle. Smoltz went the first 4 before the heavens opened up and they didn't want to risk ramping him back up after being down for so long. Understandable, but would have been nice to have another W under his belt. But he commanded the strike zone not just with his Slider and Splitty, but was dotting the corner with fastball as well. His fastball although 3-4 mph slower than what it used to be is still an effective weapon. Koufax's thoughts: "A guy that throws what he intended to throw, that's the definition of a good pitcher." Moral of this quote: You ARE still an effective major league pitcher and a good one to boot, execution is the name of the game and if you can do that you'll not only have the rest of your teammates confidence in you but all of Red Sox Nation.
What needs to happen moving forward. You've got to get this hitters guessing again. Not just guessing but fearing you. I realize he isn't a HOFer, yet, but when Josh Beckett is on the mound the opposition is NEVER comfortable in the batters box. Now that may be that he eats fetuses for breakfast but it's also because he comes inside and doesn't give a damn what or who's on that corner of the plate. Coming from an experienced catcher who believes in hardnosed baseball I say this, sit someone on their ass. This team has your back if anything ensues. You need to become a bulldog again. Sandy, your thoughts? "Show me a guy who can't pitch inside, and I'll show you a loser."
I was listening to Lou Merloni via podcast on WEEI the other day and while I do frown upon most of the things he says and everything that everyone else says on that Romper Room-esque show, he hit the nail on the head with regards to what has to happen with Smoltz. During every interview Smoltz has had he keep saying things like, "They tell me my fastball is good enough" or "I guess I'll have to locate the fastball better." To me and to Lou coincidentally, these are the feelings of a pitcher with no confidence. He shouldn't be wondering if his fastball is good enough to get hitters out. He has to go out there with what he has and say, " HIT ME" (ala Heath Ledger as the Joker). We don't need another Rolando Arrojo or Jon Burkett out there. Your John F-ing Smoltz. Be a winner because that's what you do!
One more Sandy quote to end this one with and just know that I still got your back John, even if you frustrate the SHIT out of me.
"The game has a cleanness. If you do a good job, the numbers say so. You don't have to ask anyone, or play politics. You don't have to wait for reviews."
Moral of this one: Pitch better.
Stay Tuned
Ryan
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