Smoltz is in the house

[Dojji]

Though Smoltz -- coming off right shoulder surgery -- is behind all the others when it comes to his pitching schedule, he was setting the pace in the relay shuttle.

 

"He's a specimen," marveled Red Sox right-hander Justin Masterson.

 

In addition to his enormous talent, what has led Smoltz to 210 wins, 154 saves and 3,011 strikeouts is his unquenchable thirst to compete.

 

So yes, the slower pace that the Red Sox have set up for him is going to be an annoyance at times. Smoltz knows this. And he also knows it's the right thing.

 

"I've told them their biggest challenge for me is to tame me down, because I'm a full-bore guy and I love to compete," said Smoltz. "My timetable is a lot faster than most, but I like what they've done here and they've got me to realize the strength of this club. They don't really want me to think about anything other than June."

 

"There will be a flat-ground throwing program, extensive work inside," said Smoltz. "I'll be doing a lot of that -- I call it grunt work, because that's the stuff you have to get up and do every day and do to prepare for the season. They want to amass a workload that when I get to June, I'm at my best and I can carry that forward. They said they know I could be ready in April or May, but then it would just run the risk of not being as good in June to August and into October."

 

"I'm super confident or I wouldn't be here today," said Smoltz. "I have nothing to gain to just come back and say I could throw again. I have everything to lose if that's my mind-set. I know what I'm capable of doing, and the competing factor is not something I'm worried about. The physical part, I'm really not. It's just going to be, 'Can I stay in this mode and slow down when I know I want to pitch?' The pressure is off for me with that regard, the way they've approached it here. They're not missing too much for this team to have a chance to win, with or without me. I like the fact that I can be part of that."

 

But there will probably be a lot more learned from Smoltz than by him.

 

"If they're smart, they'll watch," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He's got some years under his belt. But we have a lot of big league pitchers who do it the right way. And we tried to impress upon the young kids in camp today in those meetings, 'You wouldn't be real bad off watching [Jon] Lester, [Josh] Beckett and Smoltz, how they do things. I know they have talent, but there's a reason, they do it right. They get after it in a pretty good way."'

 

Masterson has been monitoring Smoltz intently the last few days.

 

"He comes in and he's very open with his knowledge," said Masterson. "I've talked to him when he's been around. There's a coolness -- kind of a calmness that he brings when you're around him. He's been in the game for such a long time, for a young guy to be able to watch him, it gives you something to look at, to say, 'There's a guy who's doing it the right way.'"

[riverside sluggers]

Good guy to have around for the young arms

[Dojji]

Also one more reason to like Masterson. He gets the idea right off

 

The Master always did strike me as the smart type.

[WhiskeyBreath]

I heard he's also a nasty golfer.

[Dipre]

His haircut is also amazing,

[BSN07]

I heard he's also a nasty golfer.

 

Tiger Woods on several occasions has said that when Smoltzy retires, he expects him to make and compete on the senior tour.

[Cocos Disciples]

I heard he's sick at keg stands.

 

More Masterson facts please!

[jacksonianmarch]

here he'd consume the English with fireballs from his eyes and bolts of lightning from his arse

[Taliesin]

When John Smoltz plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.

 

You see MJ that is why you are endearing...every so often, you come back to earth w/ us. And the humor. 5 years later. Good day Sir. You're still a putz, but once in awhile you get it, and if nothing else you are persistent.

[WhiskeyBreath]

When John Smoltz plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.

 

You see MJ that is why you are endearing...every so often, you come back to earth w/ us. And the humor. 5 years later. Good day Sir. You're still a putz, but once in awhile you get it, and if nothing else you are persistent.

 

hahah

[TheKilo]

When John Smoltz plays Oregon Trail his family does not die from cholera or dysentery, but rather roundhouse kicks to the face. He also requires no wagon, since he carries the oxen, axels, and buffalo meat on his back. He always makes it to Oregon before you.

 

You see MJ that is why you are endearing...every so often, you come back to earth w/ us. And the humor. 5 years later. Good day Sir. You're still a putz, but once in awhile you get it, and if nothing else you are persistent.

 

 

Chuck Norris jokes? Really?