Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

[Klownpoet]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

To my knowledge, Smoltz has not thrown a knuckleball in a game since Spring Training 2000, just before having Tommy John surgery. He only began throwing it in 1999, to try and save his ailing elbow.


Article from 2000:

The knuckleball may save Smoltz's elbow and his career. He's hopeful the pitch will eliminate the need to stress his elbow by throwing sliders, a pitch which is largely responsible for two surgeries on his elbow in the last five and a half years.

``Obviously, throwing 20 knuckleballs versus throwing 20 sliders will have a different effect on my elbow,´´ he said. ``This will allow me to take some stress off. I need to find out if I can do this on a regular basis.´´


Also from 2000:

Smoltz had two stints on the disabled list last season and was ultimately diagnosed with a sprained right elbow. But with the Braves, as usual, in the thick of a pennant race, Smoltz opted to pitch through the pain the last two months of the season.

By the playoffs, he had gone to a three-quarters delivery rather than straight overhand in an attempt to minimize the discomfort. He also experimented with a knuckleball, a pitch that puts less strain on the arm.

Smoltz reported to spring training determined to go back to his normal delivery, although he did stick with the knuckleball. The result wasn't good. In his first outing of the spring, he gave up three runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay. An MRI on Wednesday revealed the worst possible scenario.


Article from 2001:

Mixing fastballs, curves, sliders and changeups, Smoltz threw 25 pitches and struck out two. Smoltz said he even surprised himself with how good one of the fastballs felt, and joked that catcher Javy Lopez wouldn't let him try out a knuckleball.

I do not think Smoltz should have a knuckleball in this game, but I think the fact that Dan Kolb sucks on this game and doesnt have a sinker makes up for it.

[dvdguy]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

Its such a goofy pitch in the game though... its like playing Home Run on the Atari 2600.

[dvdguy]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

Its such a goofy pitch in the game though... its like playing Home Run on the Atari 2600.

[Keirik]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

the pitch shouldn't be in the game unless the cpu utilizes it once every 200 pitches which seems not likely. He MIGHT know how to throw one, but that doesn't mean he throws it regularly against MLB batters IN GAMES.........It's more possible he'll do it now as a starter however, so who knows. Maybe TT was onto something by putting it into the game.
Easy solution, edit his pitch repitoire.

[Keirik]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

the pitch shouldn't be in the game unless the cpu utilizes it once every 200 pitches which seems not likely. He MIGHT know how to throw one, but that doesn't mean he throws it regularly against MLB batters IN GAMES.........It's more possible he'll do it now as a starter however, so who knows. Maybe TT was onto something by putting it into the game.
Easy solution, edit his pitch repitoire.

[Chitown1211]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

Does anyone really know how 2K even gets these pitchers pitch types ? Im sure there is a list or something they reference that is somehow supplied by teams or the pitchers themselves. Im assuming where ever this list comes from must have the knuckler down for Smoltz.

I dont think 2K is randomly creating pitches for guys.

[Chitown1211]

Re: Why does Smoltz have a knuckleball?

Does anyone really know how 2K even gets these pitchers pitch types ? Im sure there is a list or something they reference that is somehow supplied by teams or the pitchers themselves. Im assuming where ever this list comes from must have the knuckler down for Smoltz.

I dont think 2K is randomly creating pitches for guys.