Smoltzy still got it

Or maybe not.

John Smoltz signed with the Boston Red Sox in the off season and since emerging into the rotation he has been...and this is putting it mildly...not very good. He's been designated for assignment by the Red Sox.

Consequently his career might be over. (and on a separate note...I'm thinking that maybe I'm glad Maddux retired when he did because maybe he just knew that it was time and he wanted to go out on his own terms).

So of course the question is...is Smoltz a hall of famer?

I didn't think there was much debate on this subject but the discussion on Baseball Tonight was far from definite.

I'm on record stating that Smoltz is a first ballot hall of famer.

His career line is W-L 212-152/ ERA 3.32/ WHIP 1.18/ SO 3,044/ Saves 154

His career is unusual because the ladder part was spent with Smoltz being a closer. Consequently he's the only pitcher in MLB history with 200+ wins and 150+ saves.

As a starter Smoltz's seasons were not as consistently good as say Maddux's and Glavine's but he did win a Cy Young in 1996 and had several solid seasons. Now as a closer Smoltz was simply lights out. He basically accumulated the 150+ saves in three seasons, which is simply amazing. In my estimation that puts him in. But if one needs more convincing than just look at his postseason totals. He was money...a W-L of 15-4 with a 2.65 ERA.

He's in.