Only 5 days prior to Saturday’s start, John Smoltz dislocated the pinky on his throwing hand while tagging out a runner. Yeah, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “come on, it’s just a pinky, what’s the big deal?” Not so easy

The right pinky of Smoltz’s pitching hand was bent upward at a grotesque angle. The veteran, overcome with anger, frustration and fear, fired his glove at the ground and clutched his hand.

Yeah, so that was on Monday. And after the X-rays came out negative, Smoltz pretty much cleared himself to pitch on Saturday. I mean, just to name a few, Beckett, Bonderman, and Halladay, have all hit the DL within the last two weeks. But not Smoltz. Instead, Smoltz made his start against one of the best lineups in baseball, the Red Sox, and held them to four baserunners in seven scoreless innings, striking out seven as part of Atlanta’s 14-0 win. Smoltz also retired 20 of the last 22 batters he faced. Red Sox manager Terry Francona had the line of the night:

“I’d hate to see him with all his fingers”

My thoughts exactly. Man, I was never a fan of John Smoltz growing up, but I have to say, I’ve grown to appreciate him more and more as he’s gotten older. He’s up there as one of my favorite pitchers in the game. And to quote my boy Biggy, John Smoltz will die on the mound, but until that day comes, he remains awesome.

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