John Smoltz Joins TBS Broadcast Team

So after 21 seasons in the major leagues, John Smoltz is finally hanging up the spikes—or is he?

The future Hall of Famer officially joined the TBS broadcast team yesterday but didn’t officially announce his retirement.

Here is the official press release from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc:

“Smoltz, who captured the Cy Young Award in 1996, will serve as a TBS analyst for the regular season, as well as the network’s coverage of the MLB Playoffs. Additionally, Smoltz will serve as an analyst for Braves games this season on Peachtree TV, alongside Johnson and 18-year Turner veteran Joe Simpson. Smoltz is no stranger to Turner Sports. The former eight-time All-Star was an in-studio guest analyst during the 2007 MLB Postseason on TBS and served as an analyst during the network’s coverage of the 2008 LDS. Previously, he served as an analyst for games on Peachtree TV while rehabbing an injury during the 2008 season."

“Joining Turner Sports’ Major League Baseball coverage is a great opportunity for me to stay immersed in the game that I love and I’m really looking forward to this experience. Having worked with TBS and Peachtree TV before, I am thrilled about the start of the 2010 season,” said Smoltz.

I have said for a long time that TBS’ coverage of Major League Baseball has been a Mickey Mouse production. Smoltz will help, but their analysts aren’t the problem—it’s the overall presentation of the product.

TBS has some pretty good analysts and color guys like Ron Darling, David Wells, and Dennis Eckersley. However, if they are surrounded by amateur hour, then their performance is overshadowed.

If indeed Smoltz does call it a career, he will retire with 213 wins, 154 saves, 3,084 Ks, a 3.33 ERA, and one Cy Young award. Very impressive.

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