SAL1 Greenville Drive

John Smoltz Set to Rehab at Fluor Field on Sunday

Published on May 29, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, S.C. - The Boston Red Sox have announced that right-handed pitcher John Smoltz will be making his second rehabilitation start for the Greenville Drive - this time at Fluor Field on Sunday versus the Charleston RiverDogs.

Drive President and Co-Owner Craig Brown, commented on the announcement, saying, "Baseball fans from across the Upstate will have a unique and very special opportunity to see one of the game's best pitchers - and a future Hall of Famer - perform in the intimate setting of Downtown Greenville's Fluor Field. We are very proud and honored to have John take the field with the Drive, and excited for the fans who will be on hand to help cheer him back to full health and future success with the Red Sox."

Smoltz has already made two rehabilitation starts - once for the Drive on May 20th and once for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on May 27th. The May 20th start for the Drive took place at Lake Olmstead Stadium in Augusta, Georgia as Smoltz tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, walking none, and striking out two.

An 8-time All-Star and winner of the 1996 National League Cy Young Award, Smoltz owns a 210-147 career record with 154 saves and a 3.26 ERA in 708 games, 466 as a starter. Smoltz was limited to just six games/five starts a year ago after spending three separate stints on the disabled list. His 2008 season officially came to a close when he had surgery to repair a torn labrum on June 10th.

A surefire Hall of Fame candidate, Smoltz is one of seven hurlers in Major League history to spend 20 or more seasons with a single club, joining the White Sox' Ted Lyons (21) and Red Faber (20), the Indians' Mel Harder (20), the Senators' Walter Johnson (21), and the Braves' Phil Niekro (21) and Warren Spahn (20).

During his career, Smotlz has been a starter and a closer, and is the only pitcher in Major League history to collect at least 200 wins and 150 saves. Dennis Eckersley is the only other pitcher with at least 150 wins and 150 saves. In addition, the 42-year-old is one of eighth pitchers ever to record at least 40 saves in three or more consecutive seasons, doing so from 2002-04.

Smoltz ranks 16th in Major League history with 3,011 strikeouts, and is 3rd among active pitchers behind Randy Johnson (4,789) and Pedro Martinez (3,117).

In addition to winning the Cy Young Award in 1996, he was also named The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year for that season. Smoltz has also finished among the top 10 in NL Cy Young Award voting five times in his career. In 2002, his first season as a full-time closer, Smoltz took home the NL Rolaids Relief Award after leading the majors with 55 saves in 59 opportunities.

"This will truly be a unique experience for Greenville Drive fans and baseball fans of the Upstate in general," added General Manager Mike deMaine. "John Smoltz is a sure-fire Hall of Famer that we are excited to have wear the Greenville Drive uniform. Fans will not want to miss this opportunity to see one of the most dominant Major League pitchers in the last three decades as he gets ready to help the Red Sox obtain their goal of another World Series Championship."

For more information regarding single-game tickets, ticket plans, luxury accommodations, and group outings call the Drive at (864) 240-4500 or visit www.greenvilledrive.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2009


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