Smoltz still has the itch to pitch, he thinks
ST. LOUIS — A veteran of October games and October dismissals, pitcher John Smoltz said it takes seven to 10 days for the “body and mind … to realize you’re not getting up to play baseball that day.”
It will take a bit longer for him to decide if he’s going to get up to play baseball next year.
“As of right now,” he said. “I plan to.”
Smoltz, who will turn 43 during next season, was among the Cardinals who came to the ballpark Sunday to pack up his gear, ship home some stuff and say farewell to many of his teammates. As of 1:50 p.m. this afternoon many St. Louis Cardinals players — including Mark DeRosa, Brendan Ryan, Skip Schumaker, Joe Thurston and Matt Holliday and manager Tony La Russa — were still sifting through their belongings and cocking a few eyes toward the football games.
The veteran pitcher will reach free agency in a few weeks, and he called himself this afternoon “not really high-priority free agent.”
He expects to sign late, partially because he has a few hurdles to clear before he’s convinced he wants to pitch in 2010. Smoltz said he plans to condense the seven- to 10-day readjustment period into two days, and that by Nov. 1 he’ll begin his workouts and his personal test. In the weeks that follow Nov. 1 he’ll know if he’s ready “to strap it on next year.”
“Last night made me realize a lot of things,” Smoltz said of his appearance in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. “How much I missed it, for one. How nervous I got. … I wanted to go in there and pitch perfect and I almost did.”
When asked, Smoltz said he would like to return to St. Louis if the situation is mutually agreeable. He agreed when presented with the idea that the Cardinals had a position open that fit him (starter), that he’d prefer to stay in the National League, and that the Cardinals had location (close to his home in Atlanta) as a plus. He also said that the move to Boston and the arrival in the Cardinals gave him comfort that it’s possible to switch clubs — he had spent his entire major-league career before this season with the Braves — without much drama.
“I want to be sure,” Smoltz said. “You know all these guys retire and then come back. I don’t want to be one of those guys.”
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(8 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
I hope he comes back, he wouldn’t be a bad 5th starter.
would love to see him come back as a key player in the bullpen, if he’s open to that
Smoltz would be a huge addition to the bullpen. We need a closer badly. The question is whether he really prefers to start. I don’t think it helps the team in the long run to keep Jamie Garcia out of the rotation in favor of Smoltz but, if we don’t resign Pineiro, that opens up 2 rotation spots (Pineiro and Wellemeyer). I’d be fine with Smoltz taking one of two open spots leaving the other for a younger, internal candidate for the rotation.
Smoltz is pure class. The organization would do well to find a place for him; he has a lot he could help teach the younger pitchers.
When do pitchers and catchers report ?? Gotta have hope.
Bring Smoltz back. If he wants to start, let him. He’s John Smoltz.
Smoltzy, we need you next year. If only to be a player/coach/mentor type guy…
Smoltz can be on my team anytime. He can be the closer when Franklin blows up again.
Smoltz will be ready for 2010. I say sign him and pencil him in for the fourth or fifth rotation spot. He is a great guy and leader to have on the team and has the talent left in the tank to getter done.
My thoughts mirror those posted to date. Smoltz still has what it take to be successful on the field, and having him around for the rest of the staff to learn a tip or two from doesn’t hurt either. If he wants to pitch, sign him and let him pitch. I don’t think he’s looking for top dollar at this point in his career.