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Dear Frank: Keep Smoltz
Written by Colin on January 8, 2009 – 11:04 amThe following is an open letter to Frank Wren and the Braves’ front office. If this letter echoes your sentiments, please consider signing your name and any additional thoughts in the comments.
Frank -
I respect you and your staff. I’ve stood up for you when fans have started bashing you this offseason. I know what has happened so far is out of anyone’s control. I love the Braves and everything about the organization. I’ve been a fan since 1991, when I was five years old. I’ve owned season tickets, I’ve started a blog about all things Braves. Travelled to Spring Training. Sat through playoff losses. But my most memorable moments include John Smoltz. Last year’s 3000th strikeout: I was front row in the upper deck (in my season tickets), screaming. Years ago when he was closing, I was looking forward to the 9th inning, hoping we’d be leading. In 1995, he was there. He’s always been the backbone of my love for the Braves. Classy ballplayers like him don’t come around often, and we know it.
We all know that Smoltz is the face of the organization. He’s THE Brave player we think of when we imagine someone wearing the jersey. He’s been loyal to the club through role changes, down years, off years. Always been more than friendly to fans, extremely loyal to the club. He’s the ONE guy we always thought would retire in a Braves uniform – perhaps the second to last guy to have one career with the same team (Chipper is younger and hopefully the last). But loyalty is a two-way street. If you let Smoltz go, it is something that will be blamed on you – and it’s devastating.
For heavens sake, match whatever the Sox offer. I don’t care what it is. It’s not like we’ve signed anyone else. At this point it’s not about money: it’s about not losing fans. Give us something to come to Turner for in ’09. Don’t give me this sick feeling in my stomach. I’ve talked to dozens of fans – and they’re all devastated just like I am. We don’t know what to think. And we’re talking about hardcore, love ‘em ’til we die fans. Not the guys who buy tickets once a year just to drink beer, but fans that buy ticket packs, season tickets, jerseys, memorabilia. The guys who travel to spring training.
Keep Smoltz. Match his offer. Do whatever it takes. Please don’t let us down – regardless of what else happens, PLEASE don’t let Smoltz finish his career in another uniform. He’s been better than that for almost 20 years. We should be too.
I’m begging you – we’re begging you: Keep Smoltz. Do what it takes.
Sincerely,
Please consider signing your name and adding your thoughts to a comment. It’s probably too late to do anything, but we can hope.
Tags: Braves Lose Smoltz, John Smoltz, Keep Smoltz, Petition to Frank Wren, Smoltz to Red Sox
Posted in General | 26 Comments »
26 Responses
to “Dear Frank: Keep Smoltz”
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- Jan 8, 2009: Smoltz to Sign with Red Sox - Atlanta Fans Shocked, Sad and Mad « Braves Baseball Fan
By Colin Ake on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
- Colin Ake, Author.
By Kurtis Johnson on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
I dont even know what to say. The whole idea of him leaving makes me sick. Especially losing him to Boston. Ewww.
By NB-C on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
I swore that I would stop following the Braves if they Signed Hampton again…and then the baseball gods smiled on me and he hauled booty to Houston. I swore I'd stop following them if they brought Andruw back,…and I'm holding my breath on that one….and now this. I've been a fan since '82 and I don't know if I can hold on anymore….
By josh on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
Im numb…..
By Jeff on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
I am quickly losing confidence in Frank Wren. The Braves have to at least match the Red Sox offer to try and keep Smoltz.
By Kelly on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
I can't believe you're letting John Smoltz leave the Braves, and go to the Red Sox of all teams. It's ridiculous. I have a feeling that the Braves will be losing quite a few fans. KEEP JOHN SMOLTZ!
By Michael Hadley on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
Keep SMOLTZ!!! We need a veteren to anchor our probably young rotation!
By Andy Borgmann on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
By vernon ebert on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
its a sad day foe braves fans everywhere
By Caitlin Menzies on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
John Smoltz is the backbone of Braves Nation, and shouldn't be sent off anywhere else. Yes, he is going to my favorite AL team, but that doesn't mean anything! Smoltz IS the Braves team. You let him go to Boston, I don't know if I can cheer for Atlanta as hard as I usually do during the season.
By Anthony McCormick on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
You have to keep Smoltz. Prove to the fan base that you actually care about the history and future of this franchise.
By Zack Proudfoot on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
You cannot let THE face of the Braves leave! KEEP JOHN SMOLTZ!!!!
By Sheryl Massey on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
Mr. Wren, ditto to all of the above. SMOLTZIE IS THE FACE OF THE BRAVES! He has done whatever the Braves asked him to do–even going to the bullpen because that was best for the team! And that doesn't include all he has done for Atlanta as a Brave! You just can't let him go! He deserves more respect than that! We deserve more respect than that! Match the Sox's offer, please?!!? -Sheryl Massey, avid Braves fan and supporter
By James on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
I love John Smoltz as much as the next fan, but he has decided to move on and we must respect it. Frank Wren has failed so far, but lets wait until spring training to make our judgement on him. If he can sign Derek Lowe, Wren's stock will go up. Figure this, Smoltz is probably done already and he doesn't even know it yet. With Lowe, you have atleast 3 if not 4 years of quality pitching (15 wins per season). Pick up either Jon Garland, Oliver Perez, Tom Glavine or Randy Wolf, re-sign Andruw Jones(@400,000 dollars), who cares if doesn't work out, what if he wasn't healthy and now he is, and most importantly resign Will Ohman! 1. Lowe 2. Jurrjens 3. Vazquez 4. Glavine 5. Perez/Garland/Wolf/Perez. Bullpen – Bennett, Carlyle/Campillo, Acosta, Ohman, Moylan, Soriano and Gonzalez. Catcher – McCann (Ross), First Base – Kotchman (Norton), Second Base – Johnson (Prado), Short Stop – Escobar (Infante), Third Base – C. Jones (Infante/Prado), Left Field – Diaz/Blanco Platoon, Center Field – A. Jones (Anderson/Blanco), Right Field – Franceour(Anderson)! Hanson, Morton, Schaeffer, B. Jones and all the other youngsters can get better and be ready to go in a year or two!
By James on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
VS. Righties
1. Blanco
2. Johnson
3. C. Jones
4. A. Jones
5. McCann
6. Escobar
7. Kotchman
8. Franceour
VS. Lefties
1. Johnson
2. Escobar
3. C. Jones
4. A. Jones
5. McCann
6. Kotchman
7. Franceour
8. Diaz
By Andy Borgmann on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
That was suppose to be in blockquote. I guess that isn't allowed on the site.
QUOTING JEFF: "I am quickly losing confidence in Frank Wren. The Braves have to at least match the Red Sox offer to try and keep Smoltz."
My Response: You should be losing confidence in Frank Wren because he didn't get rid of Smoltz sooner and because he brought Glavine back. As a season ticket holder, I am glad to see Smoltz gone. He was great in the hay-day, but he hasn't been great for a while and he should have retired.
By lisa bowers on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??
By Jeremy on Jan 8, 2009 | Reply
I've been a Braves fan since 1977. Assuming they hope to sign Lowe and pick up one or two position players, it's hard to see guaranteeing $5 million plus for a 42-yr. old coming off his fourth (and most) serious surgery. The Red Sox can risk that kind of money because their payroll is virtually limitless.
I appreciate everything Smoltz has done for this team and this city over the past two decades, but in this case I think he let his ego get in the way of what's in everyone's best interest, including his own–not too mention his legacy.
Those of you who think Wren could have/should have guaranteed over $5 million to a pitcher whose return to effectiveness is (at best) unlikely should calm down. I'm not happy about many of the moves Wren has made this off-season, but in this case, it's time to be realistic.
John Smoltz made this decision. Not Frank Wren.
By joac on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
lol, I've stood up for you when fans started bashing you.hahahahahahaha bet you feel like an idiot now for standing up for an idiot like Frank Wren, he done as much for the braves this season and last as the sweat of my nuts has done.
By Colin Ake on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
Honestly, Joac, Frank Wren has been a sound GM the rest of the offseason. I understand the reasoning behing not offering Smoltz the contract he got in Botson, but I believe if we ask our players to take less their entire careers, we should reward that when the time comes. Loyalty is a two-way street, and this is no way to treat the face of the organization.
By Tara on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
I miss Smoltz! I think I'm gonna cry, Wren! Should have offered him more! He's worth more he's worth double what Wren wanted to pay him!
By Tara on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
I miss Smoltz, I'm still a Smoltz fan, and I'm still a Braves fan, I don't know how long it will take to get over this though.
By Tara on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
*sniff* *sniff* *cry* *cry* *sniff* *cry* *cry*
By Colin Ake on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
Or, should I say, erik.
By Joshua on Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
I agree with Jeremy, Smoltz made the decision not Wren. So long, thanks for everything, I just hope we dont resign you in 3 years like we did Glavine!