John Smoltz put his values ahead of money, although he struggled before making his decision to remain in Atlanta.
photo by Tim Evearitt (file photo)
Jack Wilkinson of the Atlanta Journal Constitution has written a fascinating article about John Smoltz' decision to stay with the Braves.
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Some edited excerpts:
Long ago, Smoltz and his wife Dyan determined to make Atlanta their permanent home -- wherever he finished his career.
-- TOTAL PICTURE.
Because of the "big picture" John Smoltz passed up an extra $22 million to stay with the Atlanta Braves and probably end his big-league career where it began.
Smoltz, who signed a three-year contract with Atlanta at $10 million a year to be the full-time closing relief pitcher, a job he performed spectacularly at the end of last season.
He could have been in New York, where the Yankees offered him $52 million for four years and a spot in the starting rotation. Or in Texas or Los Angeles or, perhaps, St. Louis, where he could have started or closed.
"I looked at the total picture: Family, lifestyle, my charity and community work, financial, friends and family. And baseball."
So he and his family -- wife Dyan and children Andrew, 10, Rachel, 8, Carly, 4, and Kelly, 2 -- stayed home.
-- FRIENDS AND FAITH.
One of Smoltz'closest friends and confidants is comedian Jeff Foxworthy. He knows the affection Atlanta has long felt for his buddy.
Foxworthy, who lives in Country Club of the South, and Smoltz go bowling frequently. They meet several current and former Braves at a restaurant for their Thursday morning Bible study led by Braves' chaplain Tim Cash.
"I asked him, 'Would you play for the Yankees?' " said teammate (former Lookout) Keith Lockhart, one of Smoltz's best friends and a Bible study regular. "He said, 'Yeah.' I don't think he wanted to, but he was kind of preparing to go elsewhere.
-- GOLF.
The 15-year relationship with the Braves lives on, in part because Atlanta suits Smoltz to a tee. Golf, in a way, figured into his decision to remain with the Braves as part of the lifestyle he worked hard to build and came to enjoy.
A two-handicap golfer, Smoltz belongs to six country clubs. Smoltz plays most often at Hawk's Ridge in Cherokee County, where he owns 14 acres of land nearby and hopes to build a home one day.
For years, Smoltz has played golf religiously on the road with Braves pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux.
Smoltz' lifestyle revolves around his family, pitching every fifth day as a starter and the freedom that afforded.
The starter's role kept Smoltz involved at home.
-- SCHOOL
At 7:15 a.m., he drives the oldest kids to King's Ridge Christian School - the new school Smoltz helped found after a split with board members at the kids' old school, Mount Pisgah.
By 8:00 a.m. Smoltz arrives at King's Ridge, which is housed in a building on Alpharetta Highway. Smoltz, who has donated a significant amount of money to the school, is helping to raise the $55 million needed to build the school in north Fulton County. Zoning issues still exist.
Smoltz' decision, Foxworthy said, "was about his kids, his wife, the school he's building and this city."
King's Ridge greatly influenced Smoltz's decision to re-sign with Atlanta. "This will have an impact beyond my lifetime," he said. "This is something I've been called to do. Not to take anything away from my other charities, but this will last beyond me and my family."
-- CHARITIES.
Smoltz has long been affiliated with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, particularly Atlanta's Table. Two days before Thanksgiving, Smoltz spent the morning helping to prepare mashed potatoes for 2,001 meals for the food bank's Great Thanksgiving Dish.
Smoltz and his wife, who also have their own foundation, often invite children to attend games in their suite at Turner Field. He also hosts the annual John Smoltz Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament to benefit the child care fund at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
"He will spontaneously just stop in at the hospital and walk the halls and see kids. And no one knows he's coming. When it comes to charity and helping people, he has a problem saying no. But he is the perfect client. He hasn't forgotten where he came from," said his agent Lonnie Cooper.
-- SPARTAN.
He came from Lansing, Mich., and grew up the son of a musician who played the accordion and later owned a couple of music stores before working at Chrysler. "I rarely saw him because he was always working," Smoltz said of his father. "But he never missed a game of mine. Because of all that, I never had to work a day in my life. I was given an opportunity few people are given."
Smoltz excelled. He was an All-State high school baseball and basketball star. "Basketball is my passion. I'd do that in a heartbeat if someone would say, 'You're good enough to play in the NBA,' " said Smoltz, who plays Brian Jordan one-on-one in the indoor gym his teammate had built at his house. When Smoltz retires from baseball, he hopes to become a high school hoops coach.
-- THE DECISION TO STAY.
The 34-year-old Smoltz has battled elbow problems the past five years but felt he could return as a starter, even after missing the entire 2000 season. "That was hard. I felt like I was on an island by myself," Smoltz said. "I felt people were afraid to talk to me before my career was over: 'Oh, look at this old horse. We're gonna have to shoot him.' "
Teams became very interested once Smoltz converted 10 of 11 save opportunities as a closer last season, then two more in the National League Division Series.
Smoltz's first choice was to stay here, but he sought advice from many. He talked with Glavine, Maddux, Lockhart, Jordan and Mike Remlinger; with ex-teammates Greg Olson and Greg McMichael, who later pitched for the Mets and told Smoltz that playing in New York was great.
Smoltz consulted his wife, Braves' chaplain Cash, his agent, and especially Foxworthy.
The chance to start, though, was appealing, especially in New York. "I was very honored that I had a chance to go there," Smoltz said. "I don't think people realize it was as close as it was, and as hard a decision. I'm just glad I didn't make a hasty decision."
Smoltz prayed on it and came to a certain peace with his decision: Atlanta.
Ten days later, the Smoltzes sat contentedly in their basement. Upstairs at the piano, Rachel practiced the Michigan State fight song. It's the same piano Smoltz plays by ear, often serenading his youngest girls with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad" while Carly and Kelly run laps around the spiral staircase in the foyer.
"I'm glad it's over," said Smoltz, relaxing, his hands clasped behind his head, the surgical scar on his right elbow visible. "I'm happy. Although things could've gone a little smoother, they couldn't have worked out better."
They're all still here: Dyan. John, his pitching arm, his good heart and good works and all. The four kids, and even Brownie their dog. Yes, Daddy's home. To stay.