So hopefully this year proves to him like, "Yeah, I, I can do this."

Yeah, and I think he was super excited to pitch in a, in, you know, a full season in the postseason instead of, you know, partially.

But look, the Dodgers are doing the Dodgers thing.

They're starting to catch fire.

They're trending in the way where they're gonna get one of those two best records.

It's all gonna work out for the Dodgers.

Unfortunately for the rest of the league, they're gonna have to be on their game to beat them.

Mm-hmm

Can you talk to the knee for a second as a pitcher? Getting down the mound, how does that affect you? How can he be a position player, go out and play, but because of a knee, not able to pitch?

Yeah, rotating and planning and delivering what you need to do downhill is much different than necessarily a you know, running full speed, right? You can run.

Okay.

Jog.

Um, and maybe not have the same transition when you're hitting, um, because of the, where the knee has to be in position to hitting versus pitching.

There's a lot of force that the knee uses to pitch more so than it does to hit.

Now, if you were talking about an ankle, then an ankle might be more, um, might have the same transition in pitching that it would at hitting because you hit off your feet, and you do use your knees when you're hitting.

Maybe the best chance to beat them if healthy.

How are you evaluating the Dodgers' rotation coming together?

Well, the rotation is never gonna be an issue.

It's their offense, and their offense has not been clicking, and that is gonna be a problem.

Can they run prevent? Absolutely.

They can win more games two to nothing, two to one, three to two, but that's not what they're built on.

They're built on being able to dominate.

I mean, they didn't put a roster together to just squeak by.

Yeah.

[laughs]

Like, you can't say that he only pitched half a season, which, um, would only equate to, yeah, nobody's ever pitched half a season and done X.

So, uh, I think it's gonna be fun topics.

But I would say, just on my own humble opinion, that PCA would have to have better offensive numbers, and they can be a little bit better.

They just can't be, they can't be even.

I don't know how if it's even, you take the defense he plays on an everyday basis versus the 15 starts or whatever it ends up that is still been pretty, pretty darn good.

I don't think it should be as, as pointed to as it is.

Yeah.

Yeah

... unless the guy just says, "I don't feel good and I don't have it." But it's definitely been a trend going in a different direction for him.

I believe he can pitch at 95.

I don't think he has to have, you know, a bowling ball every single time at 100 miles an hour, but that's not what this baseball's all about.

They're so addicted to what comes out of a young man's hand that if it's not sharp enough or dominating enough, they feel like, "Well, we're just gonna have to take you out of the game." I hate that part of it, and I don't know the leading circumstances.

Obviously his team didn't score a run and he only gave up a couple runs.

[laughs]

Or just, just the fact that, you know, there's certain...

True.

So, you know, that's the, that's the thing.

It buys you some time.

It buys you some ability to kinda say, "Well, you never know, these trades might..." But you're right, the, the narrative here is not a big splash.

Matter of fact, kind of a partnership and alliance with the Kansas City Royals and the Angels over the last three years, 'cause it seems like those are the two teams they make trades with.

But, uh, I don't know where the farm system is for the Atlanta Braves, and I don't know what they were able or willing to give up for the narrative of the future and whatever that future is looks like after next year.

But you could say outside looking in, yes, there were high expectations.

[laughs]

it looks incredibly unnatural.

It is.

It's the most unnatural thing you can do.

Throwing a football is more natural because of the position you've got your shoulder in.

But once you get your shoulder to a, a level of throwing a baseball, there's nothing normal about it, and that's what's so incredible about the guys that did it before me, the guys that have done it after me, and just the dynamics that your body can go through.

It's a gift to throw a baseball.

Not everybody can do it.

Mm-hmm.

What is it like from that perspective when you're down in the minors and all of a sudden your name gets called and you're moving somewhere else?

I'll tell you what, for me, it was a dream come true.

I didn't think at the time.

I was devastated, and in this day and age, now you're s- you're auditioning for other clubs.

You can get stuck behind people, position players, and you get that trade, you get that moment that's like, "All right, here we go." Now, on the flip side, you know, when you're the guy coming to a club, there's a transition that people forget you still have to make, right? Like Skubal's unbelievable, but he's, there's a lot of moving parts to get him to LA, and trust me, he's gonna be fine.

But I, I look at other teams and other moves and expectations, so I never had to deal with that at the big league level.

Um, when I was young, it defined and could've ruined my career, but I, I hopefully used it as an opportunity, um, to make it a, a, a destiny of, of the Atlanta Braves.

At, at this state of baseball, what should the players say, "We gotta have this, and we're gonna get it"?

When you think back on the career of Jeff Kent, what do you remember the most?

You know, we've talked, I've never been afraid or never, um, saw any right-hander that I didn't think I could get out, and he had really good success against me.

And it frustrated me because he stayed on the ball and, you know, I, I f- I thought that my slider and everything that I could do right-hand on right-hand.

And the memory I have is, again, another moment where I'm actually, as the closer, facing the Astros in the playoffs, and that was the year in game three, I had pitched, it was either game three or, yeah, one of the games I pitched two innings to get the save.

In this particular next game, I was in my third inning.

I came in in, in the seventh, and I was trying to get the win now.

Um, but I was gassed.

But what in particular comes to mind that fans might not know a ton about with Andru Jones?

Yep.

Um, I will say this, you know, I've always struggled a little bit with, and never, never really being in this situation, you can make y- an argument that I'm cherry-picking this statement, but I was the kinda player that if I wasn't on a winning team and my name was being talked, going to a winning team, 100% I would go, even if I had a no trade clause.

I get that everyone has the right and the personality to be s- just fine where they're at, but there are times where I'm like, "Man, why does this guy not wanna go get a ring?" Or, "Why does he not wanna go to that team?" Um, so the trade, trade deadline is filled with a lot of those scenarios, especially nowadays when players have a no trade clause that they're...

You hear some are willing to waive and some obviously not, and that's their inherent right.

It was in the contract.

I don't blame that guy.

It's the guy that, you know, I don't know, that's just always been comfortable in one's, one place and, and never experienced winning.

[laughs]

John, to combat the 103 mile an hour fastball, what if going forward you tightened up the strike zone one inch on all sides?

Well, I've often believed that if we were gonna go to the ABS, which we are, and thankfully it's only a two challenge, we needed to, to strike, put the strike zone lower and create a little bit more opportunity for the hitters.

And they've done that a little bit.

They've lowered it, thankfully.

But you saw in a challenge last night, and it, it got one one-thousandth of an inch of the ball.

I mean, that's the part of the game where I've said, if you ever go to that system, pitchers are gonna have a field day and hitters will have no chance.

So if they do lower it and do squeeze it in, I think that would be better.

John Smoltz, the Hall of Famer, if I give you the Dodgers or the Field second half of the season?

Okay, John, to combat the 103-mile-an-hour fastball, what if going forward you tightened up the strike zone one inch on all sides?

Well, I've often believed that if we were gonna go to the ABS, which we are, and thankfully it's only a two challenge, we needed to, to strike- put the strike zone lower and create a little bit more opportunity for the hitters.

And they've done that a little bit.

They've lowered it, thankfully.

But you saw in a challenge last night, and it, it got one one-thousandth of an inch of the ball.

I mean, that's the part of the game where I've said, if you ever go to that system, pitchers are gonna have a field day and hitters will have no chance.

So if they do lower it and do squeeze it in, I think that would be better.

Okay, but who's gonna go all in, in your opinion?

Yeah.

The energy to go into a gym or to rehab, especially the last couple years for him, you know, it starts answering itself.

And for me, my answer was, "You know what? If I don't have the desire to get back in the gym to do the things that I have to do to p- perform, then that's an easy answer," and that really what it came down to.

I, I probably would've played one more year if, if the Cardinals had called, but ultimately it ended up the perfect place, and I think that's what it's gonna be for Justin.

I think the fact that you put in all that work, you do all that, um, all the energy it takes, when you realize that's gone, then there's no reason and nothing else to prove.

And I, I, I really thought this would've been a great landing and a great ending for him, uh, in Detroit, especially with what they had to, to offer.

Uh, unfortunately, you know, it, it looks like that, that is exactly what's happened.

[laughs]

It's an amazing career, but why was the decision to go? How much easier was it on your arm to go to the bullpen, and would you recommend that for Cole Riggins?

No.

Okay.

It was worse on my arm.

Really? Yeah.

Do you think that's everybody, or do you think that was just John Smoltz? I think it's everybody.

It's not as bad today.

What's the rule change? I think the

[laughs]

... it's an obsession, and just let everybody who wants to be obs- obsessed by it keep obsessing over it.

But yeah, I think it is definitely different technology.

Um, they have ways of measuring all the, you know, vertical movement and all the different things that you can quantify.

Basically, your eyes are gonna see the ball do something, but now we can back it up with data.

And I just said, like we said before, if he gets a- consumed with it, he's in trouble.

[laughs]

I think they're in that spot.

And from your perspective, who's the biggest challenger for the Dodgers in the National League to potentially get to a World Series?

Well, the one team they don't want to play in a best of five would be the Milwaukee Brewers.

I think with what they have to offer and the stinginess that they play baseball and how they play, it'll upset a lot of teams' superstar roster.

The other team I thought that if they stayed healthy, which they haven't been, and now they're coming back to the pack is the Atlanta Braves.

But watch out for the Philadelphia Phillies.

We always say this time of year, there's always a team lurking to make a big move, to make that big trade, to change their franchise.

moving forward.

Halfway through the season, which team do you think is set for the hottest second

What was that, what was that change like for you mentally and just emotionally in how you, how you watched the game?

game?It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I know people are gonna be like, "What? You're still throwing a baseball." But the structure, the personality, everything you just mentioned.

First of all, when I started, it was longevity.

My reward system was different.

You know, we were taught to train for eight, nine innings.

I never max effort a pitch.

I could throw 94 to 97, but I varied my speeds, I varied my angles.

Let's just go get wins."

Mm

... negatively and positively, and I think that's a fair representation of what the All-Star Break kind of is.

That's why some managers don't pay attention as much until they get to the All-Star Break, 'cause now you're looking to either add or subtract.

You are what you are at some point at the All-Star Break.

Fair or not, you're kind of, are a beat-up team that's gonna get better or you're a team that just has the capacity to play in 500 ball.

And I think you're starting to see that shake out a little bit.

Mm-hmm.

But whether it's a surprise team, like the Marlins have played pretty good, the Nationals have played pretty good.

Is there any concern from you when it comes to the Atlanta Braves?

Oh, there'd have to be a lot of concern.

Again, when we talked at the beginning of the year, I said they're gonna be as good as their health.

And you could say that about a lot of teams, but they're really built around some superstars and some dynamic positions that really need to be ...

They need to hit on them, you know? I mean, center fielder, Acuna is everything, uh, that that lineup kind of ticks off of, and they signed him to a long contract.

And of course, when he's healthy, you see what he can do.

And, and then the health issues are always a part of a long-term contract that you have to worry about.

[laughs]

You said early in the year, you said right here on this show, "I think he could have a lower ERA than his batting average this year." Could you have imagined this, though? This is crazy.

No, it is crazy, but he set his mind, and he was ready that he knew he was healthy, and he could put all his efforts into one every six days, one every seven days, whatever they decide to pitch him in.

And I think he's showing his talent beyond what anybody could ever imagine.

They've kind of assumed, and people have assumed, he's a great generational hitter, right? And the ancillary bonus has been, oh, he pitches a little bit.

No, it's gonna be flipped on its head this year, 'cause he's gonna be known as a great pitcher who also can hit.

And I think that's what you're seeing come total front and center.

Now, do I think he can stay under a 2 ERA all year? Probably not, but he's certainly set himself up for some cushion.

So my tough question for you, John, as a guy that played with Deion Sanders, is fill me in on who you think is the better athlete, Shohei or Deion Sanders?

Before we return to the American Century Championship, I'd love to ask you what you think of this – particular race in the national league for cy young right now john yeah it's off the charts uh i don't know how you could choose right now

well you you're right it's fantastic and some guys are on some unbelievable streaks the national league has really the balance of the teams that are going to be really good this year and are good.

But, you know, Paul Skeen's always going to be a front runner, dynamic pitcher out of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But you got this guy by the name of Otani that I've been saying for years, his greatest asset is his arm.

And everyone thought I was crazy.

And now they don't think I'm as crazy because he's the greatest generational pitcher to ever and hitter to play in our sport.

He's dynamic.

But the mental aspect of it, what does he need to do? Like, what is he doing that you think others, other than the physical attributes?

But does the fact that they struggle as mightily as they have, did that take you by surprise?

Yeah, it has.

But everybody who, again, puts things down on paper and everyone has the answers on paper don't understand the nuances of a clubhouse, cohesiveness, getting along.

You got personalities that sometimes work and don't.

You got all the different data points that, that the output of a player can provide, but that can be messed up and turned upside down if your locker room's not connected.

If from the top to the bottom there's not an understanding of what it takes, I don't care how talented a club is.

You know, there are places where it works, and there are places where it shows its ugly head, and New York is one of those places.

Is it for you?

[laughs]

So somewhere in the middle they're, they're, they're that team.

But the Milwaukee Brewers and their system, and the way they go about it, you have to give them their props.

This is not flukish anymore.

This is a scouted, determined look for a player, right? They don't have the payroll.

We know all the things that go on with the Milwaukee Brewers, but man, have they done an incredible job the last year and a half.

It, it's gotta be fun and frustrating to be a Milwaukee Brewers fan.

Is it just, is it just analytics? Is it smart, savvy baseball minds in the minors? What is it?

How surprised were you that they went through such a drought? Are they a good team in the Central or, or are they fugazi? I, I'm not so sure now after that.

that.Yeah. It's the strangest year I've ever seen.

I think this happened one other time.

The Dodgers went through it.

They went on to go to the World Series, lose to the Astros.

I think they had similar streaks.

Um, I don't think they're as great as their 10-game streaks, and I don't think they're as bad as their 10-game losing streak.

I look at in that division.

How surprised were you that they went through such a drought? Are they a good team in the Central or, or are they fugazi? I, I'm not so sure now after that.

Yeah, it's the strangest year I've ever seen.

I think this happened one other time.

The Dodgers went through it.

They went on to go to the World Series, lose to the Astros.

I think they had similar streaks.

Um, I don't think they're as great as their 10 game streaks, and I don't think they're as bad as their 10 game losing streak.

I look at in that division.