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As soon as upon a time, on the peak of their powers, Tiger Woods took batting follow in opposition to baseball Corridor of Famer John Smoltz.
Recent off Tommy John surgical procedure, Smoltz needed to throw a simulated sport as a part of his rehabilitation course of, and Woods wished to face Smoltz within the batter’s field. At that juncture, Braves supervisor Bobby Cox relegated Smoltz to the bullpen, however the crew wished to work Smoltz again into the beginning rotation, the place he spent the higher a part of his profession.
So Smoltz, the 1996 Nationwide League Cy Younger Award winner, invited Woods to take part within the simulated sport at Turner Subject, whereas the Atlanta Braves had been out of city.
Brian McCann, a younger up-and-comer on the time who would finally grow to be a seven-time all-star, caught Smoltz on this specific day whereas Woods placed on a pair of spikes. The 15-time main champion even donned a Braves jersey, emphasizing the simulation of an actual sport.
“So, we set it up,” Smoltz reminisced at this week’s Invited Superstar Traditional.
“And [Woods] goes, ‘Primary rule. Give me every part you’ve gotten. Don’t maintain again.’ And I mentioned, ‘Tiger, that is the deal. I’m not anxious about hitting you. I’m simply anxious about your thumb getting jammed while you hit. That would hold you out of golf for some time.’ Effectively, he’s an ideal athlete, and he bought in there, and it will be like me making an attempt to suppose that I may make the minimize at The Masters this previous 12 months. No probability.”
On the finish of the at-bats, Smoltz tossed Woods a few fastballs that he thought he may hit.
“When [Woods] discovered that out, he bought actually mad,” Smoltz added.
“However he declared himself 1-for-4 with a stroll. So I let him roll with it.”
Smoltz remained within the bullpen for the higher a part of 4 years after his Tommy John surgical procedure however set a Nationwide League report with 55 saves in 2002. He finally returned to the beginning rotation forward of the 2005 season.
In the meantime, Woods went on to win the Masters and the U.S. Open in 2002, his seventh and eighth main titles, respectively.
However Woods struggled on the dish in opposition to Smoltz within the simulated sport.
At the least he bought on base, or so he claims.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
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