Yes, yes and more yes. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to hear John Smoltz talk to the announcers during the game, or appear in the booth of a baseball game, you know that he is a high quality, on-air type. And that he would be superb if he ever got a permanent job as an announcer.
Well, since he’s not retired (and I honestly think he’ll be back next year) getting to run color in the TBS announcing booth for the duration of the playoffs is about as good as it will get. And it will get good (via AA/SBD).
TBS is close to signing injured Braves P John Smoltz to be an on-air color analyst during MLB playoff games, sources confirmed. The two sides have been talking, and an agreement is said to be close. The plan is to have Smoltz work the booth at one of the games. It’s not known which play-by-play announcer he would be paired with. TBS is expected to announce its broadcasting teams during the playoffs in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, TBS’ studio show for the playoffs is expected to be the same as its All-Star selection show, with Ernie Johnson, Cal Ripken Jr., Harold Reynolds and Dennis Eckersley. Frank Thomas is not expected to return.
Quite the craziness that will be going on in the studio, eh? Smoltz is, as you can see above, not officially signed. But this should end up happening — it’s certainly a win for TBS and I would imagine that even Smoltz is tired of playing golf every day at this point.
Atlanta Braves Inside Pitch 2009-09-04
The Flip Side of Surprise Is Disappointment
