The INSANE Prime of John Smoltz

[@CacophonyOfDestruction]

I always loved John Smoltz windup and saw it as the pitching equivalent of Ken Griffey Jr's swing. Both a Smoltz strikeout and a Griffey Jr homerun was like watching poetry in motion.

[@Cam23]

I agree! Smoltz's sound mechanics were impressive to witness while compiling the clips necessary for this video.

[@deoge3278]

I tried my hardest to copy his windup growing up...he was my pitching hero

[@sethtate2079]

As a braves fan growing up in the 90s i was so spoiled with those pitchers.

[@stevenwalker9013]

Me to. I was around 9 when Maddux came over. It was a great time.

[@aldito7586]

I'm a Mets fan. Great. Thanks a lot !

[@Mike-ge7pe]

Smoltz vs. Petitte in game 5 of the 96 WS is one of the most memorable games I’ve ever seen. I’m a Yankee fan, and as great as Petitte was, Smoltz looked completely unhitable. When they managed to scrape by the best pitcher in baseball on a night he was at his best, that was probably the biggest single win of their multi-year championship run. Considering his start against Jack Morris in 91, Smoltz ended up on the wrong side of two of the greatest postseason pitching duels of my lifetime. Maddux and Glavine lived on being crafty, and while their careers ended up being more decorated, to me it felt like Smoltz was the one who had the highest upside in any given start in his prime. Easy first ballot HOF’er

[@Cam23]

It really is impressive how he held his own against Morris and Pettitte while both were at their very best!

[@briansolo]

I watched Smoltz's entire career, and as great as Maddux, Glavine, and other Braves pitchers were, and still ARE, I believe that John Smoltz was the most naturally gifted & talented hurler the Braves organization has ever had. Thanks for the video!

[@Cam23]

Smoltzie certainly deserved the spotlight 😎I appreciate it I'm glad you enjoyed the video! 🙌🏼

[@wingracer1614]

I watched damn near every Braves game back then but Smoltz was the one I got excited to see. It was like watching Strider pitch today only better

[@douglasbrittain7018]

That ‘91 Smolz vs Morris ws match was unbelievable. Too bad to pitch that good for that long and not have anything to show for it except an excellent performance. Morris played equally as well.

[@zoeledwards6617]

You should do Tom Glavine next. The guy who were drafted in NHL

[@jmillshobbies6344]

Smoltz is my favorite braves pitcher, loved his intensity when he was on the mound. Can't wait for the other big three videos.

[@DipreG]

Amazing work! I'm a Red Sox fan, but the Braves were my NL team during childhood because ome of my best friends and I supported each other's teams! While everyone loved Maddux around these parts, Smoltz was my guy!

[@Cam23]

Thank you! I think that rooting for players on other teams is a really cool thing, especially when they're a special player like Smoltzie!

[@davedavidson4762]

Excellent video. Very well done. No one talks about Steve Carlton or Rod Carew.... Two all time greats.

[@Cam23]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙌🏼 I am certain Carlton and Carew will eventually receive their spotlight in a future video

[@georgerodriguez2987]

Incredible stuff John Smoltz was a top notch competitor I always had deep respect for him you knew when he went against your team your team was in a lotta trouble

[@jamesrfb]

Smoltz’s second career MLB start against the Reds is on KZbin: I highly recommend checking it out.

[@sawyerbates2032]

With the invitation of suggesting players, I'd like to nominate J.R. Richard. Dude was at peak performance when he was forced to retire.

[@joshsmith4512]

stroke , sucks they had him and Ryan

[@mmmthatguy]

Thank you! I’m glad to see the temporary switch to sidearm motion was covered in your video. I saw this happening on the air, and thought it was a really cool practical reinvention. I copied it in my adult baseball league to cope with lack of velocity and add deception, and after 2 years of incorporating a mix of Smoltz/Glavine, Mussina, and Kevin Brown pitching styles to my repertoire(with excellent deceptive succcess) the league told me I couldn’t do that anymore. That I had to have a repetitive motion.

[@briansolo]

that's... really dumb of the league. I wouldn't have liked facing you!

[@Cam23]

I appreciate that 🙌🏼 It was too cool of a fact not to include!

[@encinobalboa]

Why did your league crack down? As long as the back foot is on the rubber, you can throw as you please.

[@mmmthatguy]

@@encinobalboa the league always had something to give us grief for. The president of the league was a very religious person and to spite her, I would draw weird shit on the infield, and we would do some “chanting” as our pregame cheer. We were the Demons so it fit our characters. They hated us for that. Some team had 2 guys who took steroids over covid, but our best hitter couldn’t use a bat from a particular material. That kind of thing

[@encinobalboa]

@@mmmthatguy That takes all the fun out of the game. Sounds like Judge Kenesaw Landis has come back to haunt your league.

[@tylerrobinson6158]

Been a braves fan all my life. It was amazing to watch the trio all the time. Just dominates and just now you are almost guaranteed those days.

[@EpicTales-y6v]

I appreciate him more now than I did back when I was a kid.

[@monkeymagee2008]

When you needed him most, Cam 23 shows up with a fire video🔥🔥

[@Cam23]

Eyyy I appreciate you Sergio! Your support is greatly appreciated 🫡

[@joshsmith4512]

91 world series best I've ever seen. every game nail biting, game serven was heart breaking. 😔

[@brucewayne3602]

John Smoltz Rules --- as pitcher & broadcaster !!!

[@gahdamnboi]

my favorite pitcher as a kid

[@Piralloprism]

Great video I really like the attention to detail with the mentioning that they won the NL West in 91. Caught me off guard for a second, then I remembered that they were NL West prior to 94.

[@Cam23]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I try my best to ensure everything is accurate

[@JuanCarlosNunez-gu4yz]

Smoltz: (Pure) baseball!

[@sun6262-]

THE VALENTINE I DIDNT HAVE IN 2024, WAKE UP CAM 23 UPLOADED!!!

[@Cam23]

🫶

[@JKM395]

I just love Smoltzy. He was always my guy growing up. I still throw like him.

[@switchesanddials]

Wow, I had always thought of Smoltz as "good but not great" as in my mind, he always seemed to play second or third fiddle to Maddux and Glavine. This video really put my error into perspective though! Wow, he was lights out for many years as a starter, and then to dominate the relief game also later in his career; this guy was HOF worthy to the max! I've watched every single video you've done, and they are EXCELLENT. Thank you for such comprehensive videos. I'd love to see more pitchers as well, but also Will Clark and Albert Belle for sure.

[@Cam23]

I have to admit, I had no clue just how dominant Smoltz was either, making this video gave me a much greater appreciation for his career! Thank you! I really appreciate the kind words. Both players will definitely be getting videos at some point 😎

[@bravesfan293147]

My goodness! I just loved watching him pitch the moment he joined the Braves...I watched his ups and downs early on, and when he figured it out, it was even that more magical! Used to love watching him pitch to Greg Olson! The way he crouched down, Smoltz always hit the target!

[@davidbgooch9587]

Man i miss the 90s baseball

[@carlpacquing2575]

It's crazy that Smoltz re-invented his deliver, and still maintained that level of excellence!

[@Cam23]

Agreed!

[@f2afinito983]

Can you please do Alfonso Soriano?

[@noahmcdowell2852]

Could we see Andruw Jones? If you haven’t already done him

[@astrostar49]

Thanks for the video. This was awesome.

[@Cam23]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed 😄

[@JeremyWaldrop-ls2pn]

He was lights out with Maddox n Glavine ⚾️

[@dlaird8]

Smoltz, Glavine, and Maddox were just unreal.

[@rosschassy]

Cam 23 can you do an insane prime video of will Clark I loved the buster posey one and I think you should do another giants legend will the thrill clark

[@sethboyd9877]

Great video !! Learned a lot ab someone on my favorite team who I knew was great but damn didn’t know he was this great

[@sethboyd9877]

Not old enough to watch smoltz only 21

[@Cam23]

Thank you! I never got to watch Smoltz either so this was really cool to learn about how amazing he was as both a starting and relief pitcher.

[@temblekec]

LOVE your videos bro. Please do Manmy ramirez next🙏🙏. He's career is worth the video. (Plus all the funny moments too lol)

[@Cam23]

Thank you! Manny certainly would make for an awesome vid 😎

[@Firecracker321g]

Can you do a video on oral hershire?

[@northstarjakobs]

As for my nominations for future videos, I'd like to nominate a duo of Daves: Dave Stieb and Dave Winfield. Stieb was, in my opinion, the greatest pitcher of the 1980s, and certainly the most underrated. He was snubbed by Cy Young voters multiple times and never got his due from the Cooperstown voters, falling off the ballot in the first year with seven votes. Not 7% of the vote, 7 total votes. A couple of dorks at Secret Base have already done a long and excellent docuseries on Stieb, but I'm sure you could certainly find interesting things to say about him. As for Dave Winfield, he has a strong case to be the best baseball player born in Minnesota: he was a well-rounded player with serious offensive and defensive tools, though he never won an MVP or led his league in any statistical categories. He also butted heads severely with George Steinbrenner during his time as a Yankee and was once arrested in Toronto for accidentally killing a seagull with an outfield warmup throw (he was later exonerated).

[@Cam23]

Both would make great videos! It always surprises me Stieb never won a Cy Young and is not already in the Hall

[@zoeledwards6617]

John Smoltz, only of two pitchers to have 20 wins and 50 saves. Wow Atlanta Braves dominated 1990s. 3 hall of fame pitchers!! 3!!! Edit: Braves could have won more World Series if wasn’t for The Yankees.

[@briansolo]

If they didn't lost 4 straight in '96 to blow a 2-0 lead, and held on to win it all, I think things may have been VERY different. I feel like that put, not a monkey, but a GIANT gorilla on the core's back.

[@wingracer1614]

And HoF'ers at 3rd and 1st. Hopefully CF as well eventually.

[@Ruizmachine4L]

Let’s go cam! Can’t wait for the next vid maybe it’ll be about a certain old player for the pirates…👀

[@Extinguisher10]

I'd love to see a video on Jamie Moyer!! :)

[@KingNoah8372]

Can we get Shawn Greene for the next one I would love to see him

[@Tatman1190]

When we going get a video on Mike Mussina

[@boogpotter7269]

David Justice, Mark Mcgwire, Andy Van Slyke, Albert Belle and Kevin Mitchell.

[@samright4661]

Just imagine is Smoltz stayed healthy

[@blakerobertson7249]

I wish the braves had the offense we have in this era in the 1990s

[@SONICX1027]

I wonder why Smoltz hasn’t appeared as a Card in the MLB The Show games yet? I have a feeling that he’ll be a beast in those games

[@Guiltyconscience83]

Good work, you should do Jamie Moyer.

[@mauricejohnson8543]

I think a good video could be on one of the best DH of all time Edger Martinez

[@danielgerald4551]

Make a video on Rafael Belliard please. Thank you

[@brianbelden2449]

I remeber the Glens Falls Tigers over at East Field by the old ghetto(Price)Chopper. Those were the days.

[@joshuacrouse3505]

Luis Aparicio

[@alexvoigt9204]

As a Twins fan, I appreciate Smoltz being brilliant but juuuuuust a tick below Morris in that Game 7 performance. Also, Smoltz doesn’t get enough credit for being an absolute postseason legend (2.67 ERA in 209 postseason innings? Good god) and he might have the most unique career of any HOFer in terms of being able to constantly reinvent himself.

[@Cheesefist]

Let’s get an Insane Prime of Carlton Fisk, and his Iconic Walk Off that Robin Williams missed

[@jordanpatience9249]

Him and Eck are the only players ever with both a 20 win and 50 save season and Smoltz is the only player ever with both 200 wins and 150 saves

[@roadkill989]

we need a doc gooden video. bro had 12.2 war as a PITCHER and he was only 20

[@Cam23]

Considering he's getting his number retired very soon, you already know... 👀

[@grace1975kauf]

I'd like to see Joey Votto 🙂

[@kiefdemon1979]

I've never seen Bobby Cox in his younger days. He's always just been a really old guy for me.

[@hannibalhobbes4289]

I was at one of the two games he won as a Red Sox.

[@Cam23]

Nice!

[@wingracer1614]

I got to see him once live. In Richmond doing a rehab start after a surgery.

[@frikster5176]

Do a AL Kaline video

[@DrAnarchy69]

Bernie Williams deserves a video

[@waxknucklebearingjuice5592]

Maddux probably win a golden glove or two the years he got those silver slugger awards.... I'm no braves fan but I be fanned if they weren't fun to watch during these years.

[@robitfdb4453]

Do a Barry Bonds video next

[@AlwaysStriveForGreatness]

You should cap off the trio by doing Tom Glavine. Arguably the best pitching trio in baseball history.

[@Cam23]

True! But I low-key haven't done Maddux yet (I don't count the vid I've made on him already)

[@AlwaysStriveForGreatness]

@@Cam23 That's fair. If not Glavine then Jeff Kent is a dark-horse unique player to do.

[@big8dog887]

Nobody has ever been inducted into the Hall of Fame as a pitching coach, but Leo Mazzone has a case.

[@chemBTW]

please please do the INSANE prime of WILL CLARK 🙏

[@janellemaynait]

Am i the only one who looks at John smoltz when he was younger he kinda looked like Toby Mcguire

[@larryhuckilejr1552]

Could you please do Ryne Sandberg

[@Lance-Stroll]

The braves couldnt hit in the 90s. Such a shame

[@Garfieldforpresident2024]

Make a video on carl crawford if you havn't allready

[@JonathanSpringer]

The Detriot Tigers Messed Up

[@Cam23]

True that!

[@bradenstewart6270]

Those 90s Braves should have won more than 1 ring man

[@PrickFlair]

Greatest bullpen of all time

[@Cam23]

1000000%

[@JorgeRamirez-hk8uz]

@@PrickFlairI’m dodger fan but the giant bull pen for those World Series teams was nasty.

[@davidmatheny1993]

Maybe this current run of Dodgers success will vindicate those 90s teams and reflect that a true dynasty is hard to accomplish versus being labeled as perennial chokers. Only three teams in 50 years have won consecutive WS titles.

[@fredgunn6410]

Maddux became a Brave in 1992.

[@Cam23]

According to www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maddugr01.shtml he was a Cub in 1992

[@fredgunn6410]

@@Cam23 you are correct. I stand corrected.

[@douglasmcfarland9040]

Dave Stewart please

[@music_lover2227]

May 15 babies stand up

[@joshuapatrick682]

my wife left me for Smoltz's baseball reference page.. 69 WAR... 3.33 career era? just too pretty for me to do anything about damnit.

[@eriyernovo1213]

Please do Pedro Martinez next.

[@jeffperalez3078]

Pudge

[@stevenjeffries2521]

either glavine mcgwire galarraga brooks robinson

[@JoshGibson-fb7mf]

He was way better than Maddux in the postseason

[@waxknucklebearingjuice5592]

Strider is so dirty...

[@TheEmpire822]

I call the move I put on women “wipe out slider” also. Funny coincidence smoltz had a pit h named after my move! Ha

[@Farragutsfinest]

I would suggest Satchel Paige!

[@bowlerfan08]

Lance berkman please

[@person1192]

George Brett

[@austinholbrook1770]

Insane prime of all the big 3??

[@Cam23]

That's the plan 😉

[@IDL716]

Will. Clark.

[@samcurrey2442]

I’m a rangers fan. Saw this video and clicked on it solely to say screw you John Smoltz. No idea why u hate the rangers so much but I pray I never have to hear u call a rangers game ever again. Great pitcher tho.

[@PrickFlair]

Leave it to Detroit trading away another legendary pitcher 😂

[@Cam23]

💀

[@themase3219]

Day 18 of asking for Ted Williams

[@zoeledwards6617]

The last of .400 hitting players.

[@briansolo]

I'm sure he'd love to, but maybe he's hesitant because there's not a lot of footage? Just a guess...

[@genoinjian7729]

Eric cheated John was clean

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

John Smoltz was better than Greg Maddux in the playoffs.

[@texasjesus23]

He sucks as a Broadcaster

[@iancohen8499]

He is a Horrible commentator

[@bobhopeless]