by John Smoltz
Cavazos, Javier, 183–84
Chandler, Joe
description of Smoltz’s pitching, 56
gratitude toward, 69, 175
initial routine physical on Smoltz, 55
predicts Smoltz’s later injuries, 60
recommends Tommy John surgery, 64–65
relationship with Smoltz, 26
and Smoltz’s shoulder surgery, 26–27, 175
treats Smoltz’s elbow injury, 63–64
changeups, 63, 155
charitable causes, 194–203
Chicago Cubs, 102
Children’s at Scottish Rite, 199–202
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 199–202
Christian school, founding of, 194–98
Christianity
acceptance of Christ, 120, 126–27
influence on Smoltz’s life, 12, 127–34, 136–37, 190, 191
in motivational speeches, 190
Smoltz’s journey toward, 121–27
Cincinnati Reds, 248
Clary, Marty, 120–21
Cleveland Indians, 119, 215
closing
compared with starting, 90
daily schedules, 91
figuring out routine, 92–94
getting into mind-set, 94–95
learning art of, 95
mental strategies, 98–101, 253
pros and cons of, 101–2
in Smoltz’s Atlanta Braves contract, 83
Smoltz’s first experiments with, 80–81
Smoltz’s first full season, 87
and starting, players skilled at both, 8
transition from starting to, 87–88, 89–104
walk-in songs for, 96–97
warm-up pitches, 103
wear and tear on pitchers, 103
contract negotiations
Atlanta Braves, 81–84, 107–17
Boston Red Sox, 117
Detroit Tigers, 46–47
St. Louis Cardinals, 209–10, 258, 259
Cooper, Lonnie, 122, 191, 258
Costas, Bob, 269
Cox, Bobby
attitude toward golf, 142–43, 144, 159
belief in Smoltz’s potential, 236
contract negotiations with Smoltz, 109
feelings about Smoltz as reliever, 77–78, 79
learns of Smoltz’s new knuckleball, 68
managerial talent, 75, 219, 220–24
respect for, 115, 159
trust in Smoltz’s judgment, 92
watches Smoltz in Triple-A game, 50
watches Smoltz play after surgery, 116–17
cranes on golf course story, 156–58
curveballs, 63, 87
Cy Young Award, 23, 80, 128, 154, 216
“Dancing Queen” (ABBA), 96
Darden, Kathryn, 169–75, 205–6, 207, 255
dead bass golf course story, 151
DeRosa, Mark, 239, 242
Detroit Tigers, 42–45
Diamond, Glenn, 262–63
divorce, 167–68, 191
Duncan, Dave, 209
Dye, Jermaine, 227, 228
Eiland, Dave, 39
elbow
injuries, 61–65, 75–76
surgery, 64–65
tendonitis, 76–79
Tommy John surgery, 65, 68, 69, 194
ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption, 164
Ethier, Andre, 250, 254
failure, handling, 5–8, 187–88
faith in God
acceptance of Christ, 120, 126–27
influence on Smoltz’s life, 12, 127–34, 136–37, 190, 191
in motivational speeches, 190
Smoltz’s journey toward, 121–27
fans, baseball, 246
fastballs
after thumbnail procedure, 87
after Tommy John surgery, 98
closing pitches, 98–99
combined with knuckleball, 67–68
in postseason games, 223–24
and shoulder and elbow flexibility, 55–56
starting pitches, 98
for working around pain, 63, 65
Favre, Brett, 258
Fellowship for Christian Athletes event, 189–90
feng shui, 93
Florida Marlins, 40, 214–15, 218
food banks, 198–99
football, 72–73, 268–69
football Bible Bowl, 268–69
Foxworthy, Jeff, 194, 196, 269–70
Furcal, Rafael, 254
Gibson, Kirk, 42, 43, 46
Girardi, Joe, 227
Glavine, Tommy
in 1996 NLCS, 216
in 1995 World Series, 119
friendship with Smoltz, 154–56, 216
golf games, 149, 151, 153
joins New York Mets, 102
pitching talent, 216, 222
Glens Falls Tigers, 47–48
golf
with Annika Sorenstam, 159–61
with Atlanta Braves teammates, 149–59, 153–56
balancing work and family life with, 140–41
becomes point of contention, 143–44
Big Daddy Crane story, 156–58
dead bass story, 151
with Rick Mahler, 139
as scapegoat for pitching problems, 144–46, 147
Smoltz’s introduction to, 137–38
Smoltz’s passion for, 136, 140, 141–43
with Tiger Woods, 159–61
tournament golf, 159, 162–65
González, Adrián, 235, 239
Gossage, Rich “Goose,” 43
Grant, Mark, 261
Greater Lansing Food Bank, 199
Greene, Todd, 75
Greenville Drive, 176
Grissom, Marquis, 228
groin injury, 56–57, 58
Gwynn, Tony, 44
Gwynn, Tony, Jr., 234, 243
Hall, Danny, 208
Harwell, Ernie, 260
Hayes, Charlie, 228
Headley, Chase, 239
Hernández, Liván, 218
hips, unlocking, 58–60
hitting skills, 225
Holliday, Matt, 250, 251
Holmes, Darren, 95
hospitals, 199–202
hotel bellman impersonation, 265–66
Houston Astros, 66, 105–6
Houston Country Club, 153
Hudson, Tim, 201
Hughes, Peter, 54, 58, 73
Hughes, Richie, 121–22
Hundley, Nick, 241
injuries
compensating for, 60–61
elbow, 61–65, 75–76
groin, 56–57, 58
ingrown thumbnail, 84–86
shoulder, 173–74, 247
tendonitis, 76–79
ironing incident, 13–16
Isleworth Golf & Country Club, 160
Jeter, Derek, 227
Johnson, Ernie, Jr., 268, 269
Johnson, Randy, 8, 101
Jones, Chipper, 221
Junior Olympics, 45–46
Justice, David, 119, 221, 228
Keating, Ed, 110
Kelly, Dylan, 208
Kemp, Matt, 254
Kershaw, Clayton, 250
Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, 162
King’s Ridge Christian School, 198
knuckleballs, 67–68
Kolb, Danny, 108
Lakeland Tigers, 138–39
Lansing Can-A-Thon, 199
La Russa, Tony, 209, 220, 240, 245, 250
lawn mowing, 72
Leyritz, Jim, 227–28
Liebrandt, Charlie, 149
Llewellyn, Jack, 237–38
Loney, James, 251, 254
López, Felípe, 39
Los Angeles Dodgers, 226, 249–55
Lovell, Jim, 69
Maddux, Greg
contract with Atlanta Braves, 83
dead bass story, 151
fear of snakes, 150
friendship with Smoltz, 154–56
&n
bsp; golf games, 149, 151, 153–54
joins Chicago Cubs, 102
memory for peoples’ names, 153–54
pitching talent, 216, 222
Mahler, Rick, 139, 152
Majkowski, Don, 268
Martin, Russell, 253
Mason, Marty, 250
Mazzone, Leo, 31, 66, 68
McCann, Brian, 39
McCoy, Mike, 120
McDowell, Roger, 116
McLeroy, Andrew, 200–201
McLeroy, Loy, 200–201
media coverage
1996 World Series, 226–27
“homeboy” incident, 112–14
inaccurate, 16–17
iron burn incident, 13–16
pitching performances, 65, 111, 145, 210–11, 243–44
Smoltz’s responses to, 18–21, 112
South Georgia Classic tournament, 164
Michigan State University, 44, 46
Millwood, Kevin, 149, 201
Milwaukee Brewers, 108, 249
Minnesota Twins, 31, 221
MLB Network, 261, 269
Molina, Yadier, 239, 242
Montreal Expos, 79
Morris, Jack, 31, 42, 46, 101
motivational speaking, 187–93
Motte, Jason, 254
Mount Paran Christian School, 122
Mujica, Edward, 242
Murphy, Dale, 51
National League Championship Series
Cardinals vs. Braves, 216, 226
Marlins vs. Braves, 215, 218
Mets vs. Braves, 78
National League Division Series
Astros vs. Braves, 105–6
Dodgers vs. Braves, 226
Dodgers vs. Cardinals, 249–55
Marlins vs. Giants, 214–15
Nationwide golf tournament, 162–64
Neagle, Denny, 149
New York Mets, 39, 40, 78, 86, 102
New York Yankees
2001 game against Braves, 74–75
2009 game against Red Sox, 181–82
offers contract to Smoltz, 82
World Series games, 67, 214, 215, 218–19, 226–28
Nintendo, 33
Nix, Laynce, 249
Oakmont Golf Club, 152
Old Marsh Golf Club, 156–58
Olson, Greg, 17–18
Oquendo, José, 240
Padilla, Vincente, 253, 254
Pardon the Interruption, 164
Parrish, Lance, 42, 46
Pawtucket Red Sox, 176
Peachtree TV, 261, 262
Pendleton, Terry, 228
Pérez, Eddie, 68
Performance-enhancing drugs, 21–22
PGA Tour, 159
Philadelphia Phillies, 158
Piazza, Mike, 78, 154
Piñeiro, Joel, 232, 250, 251–52
Ping-Pong baseball, 33–34
pitching. See also closing; fastballs; starting
bullpen sessions, 251
changeups, 63, 155
curveballs, 63, 87
finesse pitches, 222–23
finishing positions, 59, 208–9
knuckleballs, 67–68
low three-quarters delivery, 3–4, 66–67
New Age philosophies, 274
postseason, 61–62, 222–24
prior to entering game, 251
sliders, 63, 65, 87
tipping pitches, 232–33
Porter, Jeff, 69
Portland Sea Dogs, 176
postseason play, 61–62, 215, 222–24. See also specific series
prayer, 129–30
“Prodigal Son” outlook, 123–24
psychologist, sports, 236–38
Pujols, Albert, 241, 243, 255
Pursley, Dave, 69
Ramirez, Manny, 254
Rasmus, Colby, 250
Reed, Steve, 95
Remlinger, Mike, 95
Reyes, Dennys, 252
Richmond Braves, 48–51
Roberto Clemente Award, 202–3
Rolaids Relief Man Award, 87
Ryan, Brendan, 234, 241, 242, 253
Ryan, Nolan, 65
San Diego Padres, 43, 233–34, 239–43
San Francisco Giants, 214–15
Schilling, Curt, 101
Schuerholz, John
attitude toward golf, 144
becomes Atlanta Braves GM, 221
contract negotiations with, 81–84
managerial talent, 82, 219
recommends sports psychologist to Smoltz, 236
relationship with Smoltz, 109–10, 113–14, 115–16, 236
respect for, 82, 114, 219
starter discussions with, 106–11
Schultz, Jeff, 112–13
Schumaker, Skip, 234, 241, 242, 252
Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center, 200
“Seize the Day!” motivational seminars, 191–93
Shoda, Myles, 58, 208
shoulder. See also shoulder surgery
flexibility in, 55–56, 175–76
inflammation, 247
injuries, 173–74
rehabilitation without surgery, 58–60
shoulder surgery lead up to, 37–41
press conference about, 115–16
recovering from, 25–27, 53–55
rehabilitation process, 71–74, 116–17
side sessions, 66, 232, 250
Simmons, Ted, 135–36
Simpson, Joe, 259, 262–63
sliders, 63, 65, 87
Small, Aaron, 86
Smith, Pete, 149
Smoltz, Andrew, 202
Smoltz, Bernadette, 28, 34
Smoltz, Dyan, 167, 169, 201
Smoltz, John Adam
accordion playing, 28
character, 194
day job, 28
delivers news about trade to Atlanta Braves, 47–48
lessons on morality, 124–25
negotiations with Tigers, 46–47
prankster antics, 263–65, 267
relationship with son, 184
Smoltz, John Andrew. See also specific baseball teams
attitude toward failure, 5–8, 187–88
attitude toward success, 193
balancing career and family, 140–41
broadcasting career, 262–63, 269–71
burn incident, 13–16
career win-loss record, 32
charitable causes, 194–203
childhood, 28–31, 32–34, 42–44, 124–25, 264–65
contract with Atlanta Braves, 81–84, 107–17
contract with Boston Red Sox, 117
contract with Detroit Tigers, 46–47
contract with St. Louis Cardinals, 209–10, 258, 259
Cy Young Award, 23, 80, 128, 154
desire to win, 2–5
divorce, 167–68, 191
fastballs thrown by (See fastballs)
first marriage, 167, 169, 191
golf games (See golf)
humor and jokes, 261–69
injuries (See injuries)
memories of strikeouts, 39
moral principles, 124–25
motivational speaking, 187–93
pitching out of a jam, 235–39
post–Cardinals career decision, 258–60
post-Red Sox career decision, 206–9
primary motivators, 8–9
religious life (See Christianity)
retirement plans, 275
Roberto Clemente Award, 202–3
Rolaids Relief Man Award, 87
second marriage, 169–75
service-minded attitude, 194
sessions with sports psychologist, 236–38
signs with Atlanta Braves, 48
signs with Boston Red Sox, 117
signs with Detroit Tigers, 45
signs with St. Louis Cardinals, 209–10
starts Christian school, 194–98
surgeries (See surgeries)
Smoltz, John Frank, 42–43
<
br /> Smoltz, Kelly, 201
Smoltz, Mary, 28, 30, 124–25, 194
Smoltz, Mike, 26, 28, 34
songs, walk-in, 96–97
Sorenstam, Annika, 160–61
South Georgia Classic tournament, 162–64
Sports Illustrated, 14–15
sports psychologist, 236–38
St. Louis Cardinals
2011 World Series, 219–20
contract with Smoltz, 209–10, 258, 259
fans of, 246
NLCS against Braves, 216, 226
NLDS against Dodgers, 249–55
pitching staff, 232
respect for, 259–60
Smoltz signs with, 209–10
Smoltz’s home debut, 246–57
Smoltz’s shutout debut, 233–34, 239–43
team camaraderie, 232
Stan Musial World Series, 45
staph infection, 85
starting
and closing, players skilled at both, 8
compared with closing, 90
mental strategies, 97–98
postseason strategies, 224
regular routines for, 90–91
transitioning to closing, 87–88, 89–104
Star Wars theme song, 97
steroids, 21–22
Strawberry, Darryl, 39
surgeries. See also shoulder surgery
elbow, 64–65
Tommy John, 65, 68, 69, 194
tendonitis, 76–79
Thigpen, Bobby, 87
thumbnail, ingrown, 84–86
“Thunderstruck” (AC/DC), 97
Tichenor, Todd, 241
Tidewater Tides, 50
Tommy John surgery, 65, 68, 69, 194
Torre, Frank, 228
Torre, Joe, 228
Trammell, Alan, 42, 46
Turner Broadcasting System, 50, 258, 261, 262
Turner Field bullpen, 92–94
ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), 63, 65
Verna, Chris, 58–60
Wagner, Carl, 50
Wainwright, Adam, 209, 232, 249, 250
walk-in songs, 96–97
Washington Nationals, 38–39, 180, 246
Welke, Tim, 227
Whitaker, Lou, 42, 46
Wiley, Walt, 120, 126–27, 134
Wilkerson, Brad, 79
Williams, Dick, 43
winter caravans, 199–200
Woods, Tiger, 159–61
World Series
Braves vs. Indians, 119–20, 213, 217–18, 225
Cardinals vs. Rangers, 219–20
impact on pitchers’ bodies, 61–62
Marlins vs. Indians, 215, 218
Marlins vs. Yankees, 215
Tigers vs. Padres, 43
Twins vs. Braves, 31–32, 217, 221
Yankees vs. Braves (1996), 214, 218, 226–28
Yankees vs. Braves (1999), 67, 218–19
Yankees vs. Dodgers, 226
Wren, Frank, 115–16
Ziglar, Zig, 191
Acknowledgments
A book like this would not have been possible without the contributions of a lot of people’s energy, hard work, dedication, assistance, and support.
First and foremost, my family has been great through this whole process. My kids were willing to give up a little “dad time” so that I could work on this, and my wife, Kathryn, has been a great proofreader.