Just heard on 790 the Fan that they “broke the news this morning” that he is “done for the season”. They were talking with Heap when I turned it on, but unfortunately I missed the first part of the conversation…now they’re wasting everyone’s time talking about somebody named Hampton.

I wish you didn’t post this – this morning was the most depressing drive into work ever, already as it was. 790 the Zone kept theorizing that not only would there be the potential for surgery, but potential for the R-word.

Frankly, at this point, I just wish the team would put him on like the 60-day DL or something, and let him just rest. At this stage, who cares about 200 saves to go on top of his 200 wins, I’d rather just have a healthy Smoltz contributing in any capacity, especially if it means a late-season jolt for the rest of the team in August.

Dave O’Brien of the AJC said a Braves official said it was definitely surgery. I hope he retires, i don’t know if i can take watching him attempt a comeback next year and get hurt again.

So…4 elbow surgeries, and now a shoulder surgery? I don’t know if it’s even worth it. I agree with royhobbs…if possible they should just put him on the 60-day DL and let him rest. If the pain has subsided at the end…great, he can help us down the stretch. If not? It’s probably just time to call it a career…

...The power was out along Milledge Ave in Athens today and I just got my computer cranked up and saw the news. I had to come over here and see what everyone was saying. I’ll be back at 11:45 to find out what they say in the press conference.

I almost want him to retire just so I don’t have to see him struggling with all the injuries anymore. But I guess we will see in a few minutes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3425461

Even if Smoltz has the surgery, and can recover, he’ll likely have MAYBE 2 years left, but I’m thinking it’ll be closer to one. I hate the thought of life without Smoltz, and I’d hate to see a great career end like this, almost tragically, but it would likely be best for him to retire. I’m thinking he’ll still have the surgery to help his golf swing though. But at least he got to 3000 K’s.

does any one know if this is gonna be on tv anywhere

Namely John Donovan reports:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/06/04/donovan.smoltz/index.html

“Smoltz won’t retire after surgery”

Apparently they will run the press conference live on AM 680. Don’t know about tv.
Maybe you can hear here: http://www.680thefan.com/

If he can get healthy with surgery, the competitor in him will want to come back. But Smoltz is also pragmatic and won’t return if he cannot physically do it. If this is the end, all I can say is that it’s truly been a priviledge to watch you work your craft. 1st ballot.

http://media.myfoxatlanta.com/live/index2.html

Bobby’s talking about Hampton during a surgery-related conference.

I like Hampton, he will earn his money when he comes back. Glavine can replace Smoltz as the closer. Hampton can take his spot in the rotation. We’ll get Mazonee back next year you’ll see. GO BRAVES!

Smoltz’s voice wasn’t of the “I just blew the save and cost us the game” defeated variety.

It can work, trust me. We can trade Jeff Francour to San Diego with a lower level prospect for Maddux. Than we wont miss Smoltzie at all.

a better man in baseball than John Smoltz?

I hope his recovery goes well and he comes back next year. But more importantly, I hope he is able to make the best decision for him and his family.

Well how bout we get that guy Zito from the Giants for Yunel Escobar. I mean who knows what Escobar will turn out to be, he might just be a total bust later on in his career. Even though Zito struggling he’s a proven pitcher. GO BRAVES!

what great news to wake up to. thank god i bought beer.

...we better score 50 runs this afternoon.

Listen guys, i know it may sound a little crazy but desperate times call for desperate measures. We have to Win!! We are The Braves. We dont know losing like these other crappy teams in our division. We need a top tier closer to save games for us. I have another suggestion, Brian McCann to the Padres for Maddux and Hoffman…

I just got online and saw this. I am literally stunned. I knew he was going to have some pain, but he seemed so upbeat and like he thought he could work through it. I feel like crap and now I have to go to a work lunch when I just want to not talk or anything.

...it’s days like these (and last weeks road trip) that make me use the name I do.

At least we got a one-run victory. Personally I was hoping Smoltz would’ve gotten the win on Monday night after blowing the save. I thought the team had it all worked out.

Euruproktos – my favorite part of The Clouds by Aristophanes.

(best summation I can find without boring you too much)

Also, I think we all need a laugh and what’s funnier than convincing someone that it is okay to be a stretched-out asshole since that’s what all the important citizens are—lawyers, politicians, etc…

jeff and brian to the reds for griffey and a dead guy

frenchy for jay bruce, straight up. well, they might need to throw in bailey, since frenchy is a PROVEN MAJOR LEAGUER

I would not make that trade, we cannot trade frenchy!! PERIOD!!

Here’s Will Carrol from Baseball Prospectus’ take on Smoltz:

What we know about Smoltz is that he’s come back before. All the information we have builds off of that. We saw him, in diminished physical capacity, throwing-or rather slinging-the ball at 95 and snapping off a slider. Yes, he was hurt, but that’s nevertheless impressive. There will be kids drafted today and handed big checks who can’t do healthy what Smoltz did broken. What it comes down to now is whether the damage in his rotator cuff is significant enough to cost him the 12-18 months that it can. In that case, while he could still come back, the tipping point for a willingness to try might be reached, and perhaps Smoltz is more likely to focus on golf and the ministry. It’s important to note that while his career may be ending with an injury, most of his career wouldn’t have happened without modern sports medicine. Smoltz might end up the first pitcher in the Hall of Fame after Tommy John surgery, but it’s hardly the only thing that doctors have allowed him to do on a baseball field. He’s a pioneer. Smoltz is scheduled for surgery early next week and once he’s open, we’ll know a lot more.