John Smoltz, Pretty Insane Guy

Bobby Cox has moved John Smoltz up in the Braves rotation so that he’ll be pithing on three days rest tonight, which is pretty insane. I don’t think it’s just to move him and Hudson apart in the rotation, but so that he can get a start against the Mets. Still, pretty crazy move considering it’s not the playoffs and Smoltz is not a young guy. In Cox/Smoltz’s defense, at least it’s against the Marlins so his arm probably will not fall off.

Article Roundup

Scoop Jackson’s “A Stupid Act” talks about Michael Vick and other athletes who are paying or have paid for doing stupid things. Interesting take on the whole thing.

Jemele Hill’s “Must Love Dogs” is an excellent column about Vick in comparison to other athletes who have done dumb or terrible things. Hill does a great job of putting everything in perspective and writes basically what I’ve been thinking this whole time.

This is why the Yankees need to stop calling so many fastballs from Phil Hughes. I love the kid, but it’s what is getting him into trouble lately.

John Harper from the Daily News has written a plea for the Yankees to replace Mike Mussina with anyone else in the rotation. I agree. I feel bad for Mussina, but I think he is suffering from a case of dead arm. Let him rest, see how he is in Spring Training and figure out what’s going on then. I never thought it was possible but I’d rather have Igawa in the rotation than Mussina right now.