Nice try, John. Time to give it up. You were given a fair shake. Everyone has to eventually retire. It is your time to bow out gracefully. Now.

In the big leagues a 91 MPH fastball up with very little movement up in the strike zone will get you killed, no matter who you are. John, you gave it your best shot, and you are to be commended for that, but your best just wasn't good enough. We'll see you again in five years in Cooperstown.

Has been one of my favorite people in baseball for a long time but it has been very painful to watch him. The Sox gave him every opportunity to succeed but the next time I see him in person I hope it is to give his HOF speech in 2015. John has alot to be thankful for and I hope people (including himself) see it that way, not the way it ended for the Red Sox.

Come on back to Atlanta and get up in the booth where you belong. You and Tommy will be playing golf again soon.

I hope the Braves bring him back for one more game like they did for Neikro. I was at Phil's game, and I will be at Smoltzie's game if they bring him back.

Not a finer major league person of character than John Smoltz. He will be gracious and thankful as he makes his way back to Atlanta for retirement. Blessings on him and his family and the many who love him for what he has contributed to a game that has seen too many bad breaks lately.

Thanks for all those good years, like everything in life it´s time to move on with your head held high. I would like to see you become a pitching coach. There is so much these young kids todays can learn from you. Good luck buddy

As a Yankee fan I hated hated to see him beat the Yankees but always respected his ability. I was there Thursday night and the Yankees were hitting him like it was batting practice as much as I enjoyed the win it was sad to see him get hit so hard. Glad I got to see him pitch one last time and yes he is and will be one of the great pitchers of his day.

Easy Solution--Have the Rangers trade just released Padilla for Smoltz.

Let's face it.  Both teams are going to release or trade both players.  Boston may want his arm in the rotation down the stretch.  Padilla's attitude may change playing for the Red Sox.

Some reports think that Smoltz may want to pitch next year and to prove that he still has it.  I like the idea
of a future HOF player working with the Rangers' young pitchers.  Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux might be able to fix his problems.

I think a change of scenario with the Rangers home runs, runs scored and improved defense could revive his career.  Smoltz's pitching stats don't pop out, but did you notice his outstanding walk to strikeout ratio?  Smolz had 9 walks t0 his 33 strikeouts.  That is a ratio of 1 walk for every 3.66666 strikeouts.  Padilla had a terrible 42 walks to 59 strikeouts.  That averages to 1 walk to every 1.4 strikeouts.  That is almost 2 walks to every 3 strikeouts.

Based on Smoltz's walk-strikeout ratio, and a chance to contribute to the Rangers might revive his career like Hamilton, Jones, Byrd, etc.