John Smoltz talked about
the impression that the Boston fans made on him while giving him a loud
ovation when he was in attendance during Monday night’s Celtics
game: “Last night was a little awkward for me to get that kind of
ovation at a Boston Celtics game in front of these fans. These fans are
incredible. As a visitor you want to try to quiet them as much as you
can. But as a home player obviously you want them out with you.”
If you closed your eyes at yesterday’s press conference at Fenway, you might have imagined you were listening to Curt Schilling.
That’s how similar many of the sentiments were that poured out of veteran right-hander John Smoltz during his introductory press meeting, and that’s exactly the kind of performance the
Sox are looking for from the soon-to-be 42-year-old.
“When I close my eyes and envision it, I see him starting important games for us late in the season and hopefully into October,” said Sox GM Theo Epstein, after the Sox announced the one-year incentive-laden deal with Boston.
The longtime Atlanta Brave has built up a Hall of Fame resume through his years starting and — for a brief period — closing games for the Braves, but left Atlanta after three straight non-playoff seasons and shoulder surgery last summer.
Instead, he brings a 15-4 record and 2.65 ERA in 207 career postseason innings to an Olde Towne Team that lacked a grizzled veteran presence when the Big Schill couldn’t answer the bell last season.
“My mindset is so different than anybody else. If I’m under the heat and the pressure and the time gets to where it really matters even more … I just thrive on it,” said Smoltz. “You’ve got to win with the horses the [Sox] have had.”
Smoltz said he’d be willing to do anything to help the Sox win.
“I love starting. It’s always what I’ve always wanted to do. I’m just unique in that sense that I really would like to win. If it meant running the rosin bag out to the mound every once in a while I’d do that, too. I love winning.
“I don’t have anything to prove anymore. I don’t have any numbers to reach. I’m not out to do anything other than to win. People who are around me know that it doesn’t matter whatever capacity, I enjoy winning.”
