An Era Ended

Like hundreds of thousands of Atlanta Braves fans across the Southeast, I was shocked to learn this morning that John Smoltz was gone—suddenly and unexpectedly the newest member of the Boston Red Sox. For me and for so many, it’s the end of an era.

I grew up in a home where sports weren’t that big of a deal. And it was a home where we got only three television channels for most of my childhood. I was a sophomore at Mercer University the first time I could get cable television. And very quickly, I became hooked on Atlanta Braves baseball, night after night on TBS.

I remember Smoltz’s first year, 1988. He seemingly threw more wild pitches than strikes. But when he did get one across the plate, it was nearly impossible to hit. But just a couple of years later, Smoltz and the likes of Glavine, Avery, Pendleton, and Bream—undoubtedly the slowest man to ever captivate millions with a run—had gone from worst to first.

And so now, after twenty seasons, 210 wins, 154 saves, and 3011 strikeouts, Smoltz’s days as a Brave are apparently done. My first reaction was shock, then a bit of anger at Smoltz. But after a quick bit of analysis, I quickly realized that John Smoltz may have been a good guy, taken for granted, seeking to find one more chance at a dream.

It certainly was no surprise to the Braves that Smoltz’s contract was up. And instead of locking in their most tenured player, a fan favorite and absolute lock for the Hall of Fame, the Braves’ front office bumbled and stumbled their way through a winter of embarrassing rejections, ugly agent incidents, and general frustration of players and fans alike. Surrounded by dwindling talent and facing the prospect of playing what could be his last season on a very mediocre team, Smoltz traded his dream of retiring a Brave for one more chance at hope and glory.

Over his career, John Smoltz has pitched through pain and passed up opportunities for bigger money and bigger stages to remain a Brave—unquestionable loyalty. But perhaps taken for granted, given no promise of future success, Smoltz took a gutsy chance. How many of us have endured tough situations, devoid of hope, griped in fear of change or even misplaced loyalty? Right now, Braves fans are shocked and mourning the loss of a superstar who seemed like a close friend. But chances are pretty good that come next fall, when the Braves are working on their golf games for yet another fall, more than a few southerners may be pulling for Smoltz once again, in a Red Sox uniform.