I've temporarily removed my autographed Smoltz ball from my collection of memorabilia displayed in my home office. I really needed to thin it out a little anyway. Smoltz is off to the Red Sox. Wonder if his buddy Glavine is a little envious? 
    Braves GM Frank Wren did the right thing with Smoltz...opening the door for him to leave. It would have been crazy for the Braves to offer Smoltz big-money to come back and pitch out of the bullpen, mid-late season, for a team destined to be out of the PS race. This was the right move. Allow him to hook on with a contender, who's got deep pockets, and willing to take the risk involved. He may or may not be in top form come late summer. The Braves can't take that chance. The Red Sox can. 
    Am I mad at Smoltz? No. He's been a loyal and trusted Braves player, who will come back for that curtain call at Turner Field down the road. John will go into the MLB Hall of Fame one day soon with a Braves cap on. There is no controversy here. It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less.
    Let him go chase the Yankees. Let him go chase more big-money. Turn the page. Smoltz doesn't fit the 2009 Braves. Makes too much money, and he's not ready to contribute. Will I cheer for him in Boston? Not. Don't wish a bad vibe or anything. Just not going to cheer for a Red Sox guy. But when he comes back one day for that curtain call at Turner Field, I'll be there...standing & clapping. 
    Probably time to cut the cord with Tom Glavine too. 
    It's a new day in Braves Baseball. Out with the old, and in with the new. Man, that unprecedented run of success was something else, right? But those days are over. Holding on would be the wrong thing to do.
    See ya John. Best of luck up there in Boston. I'll pull that autographed ball back out when you retire. 
    Fran Wren: You did the right thing.