At one point last season, I tried to get Jim Thome to buy into a theory I had about John Smoltz. The theory was that in 2005, Smoltz was the last of a dying breed of pitcher who was going to throw a really hard fastball and an equally hard slider and come straight at a hitter with that. He wasn’t going to be fancy or cute.
According to the scouting reports, 60 percent of the pitches Smoltz throws are fastballs, while 22 percent are sliders. More telling is that 72 percent of the first pitches he throws to hitters are heaters, and in the rare chance he falls behind a hitter, 70 percent of the time he’s coming with the No. 1.
So with Smoltz, you know what you’re going to get, and there aren’t too many guys left like him. There’s Roger Clemens, when he pitches. Curt Schilling, of course, and Randy Johnson. But as far as guys who will challenge a hitter with nothing more than heat and guts, well, there are still a few guys who are on the way but still have to get a few more years under them.
Needless to say, it’s a treat to watch John Smoltz pitch. If you get the chance, do it now before it’s too late.
Anyway, I think Thome bought my theory, but I really wasn't able to get him to engage. I think he was a little preoccupied at the time – you know, trying to get ready to play a game when some punk writer walked up to him to ask about a guy who likes to throw fastball. Nonetheless, here’s the story from back then. I especially like the first quote from old favorite Todd Pratt.
Man do I miss that guy.
Did anyone see that? Catcher Sal Fasano made one of the funnier plays you'll see in last night's victory over the Marlins. No, we're not making fun of Fasano, we're just enjoying a moment of levity after a comeback win. So thanks to the magic of the Internet, the good folks at YouTube.com and our old pal Dan McQuade at Philadelphia Will Do, Fasano's wild fake-out is posted here for your enjoyment.