If you closed your eyes at John Smoltz's press conference at Fenway Park, you might have imagined you were listening to bold proclamations of the one and only Curt Schilling.
That's how similar many of the sentiments were that poured out of Smoltz during the veteran right-hander's introductory press meeting, and that's exactly the kind of performance the Sox are looking for from the soon-to-be 42-year-old. "When I close my eyes and envision it, I see him starting important games for us late in the season and hopefully into October," GM Theo Epstein said after the Sox announced Smoltz's one-year, incentive-laden deal.
Smoltz has built a Hall of Fame resume through his years starting -- and for a brief period closing -- games for the Braves, but he left Atlanta after three consecutive non-playoff seasons and shoulder surgery last summer.
He brings a 15-4 record and 2.65 ERA in 207 career postseason innings to an Boston team that lacked a grizzled veteran presence when the Big Schill couldn't answer the bell last season.
"My mind-set is so different than anybody else. If I'm under the heat and the pressure and the time gets to where it really matters even more ... I just thrive on it," Smoltz said. "You've got to win with the horses the (Red Sox) have had. And that's what's made them stand up, and really other teams try to put together a pitching staff with the likes of the guys that they have.
"I love starting. It's always what I've always wanted to do. I'm just unique in that sense that I really would like to win. If it meant running the rosin bag out to the mound every once in a while, I'd do that, too."
