Smoltz controls Thirsty Thursday in Augusta

Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz is set to begin his minor-league rehab assignment tonight for the Single-A Greenville Drive against the Augusta GreenJackets. The event promises to be a huge one for any number of reasons, among them:

–After 22 seasons with the Braves, Smoltz will be pitching in Georgia as a visiting player for the first time in his life. The GreenJackets, mindful of the marketing opportunity, have prominently featured the pitcher in a Braves uniform on their website.

–The start is the first of the pitcher’s official rehab assignment, meaning that the Sox now anticipate that he is within 30 days of contributing to the major-league club.

–Smoltz may have an opportunity to take a crack at the famed Augusta National Golf Course. It wouldn’t be the first time; in a recent interview about his links (not LEEInks?) passion, he estimated that he’s played Augusta five or six times, having once shot a 72 on the Masters course.

Obviously, this is a huge development in Augusta. A ballpark that drew roughly 1,200 for yesterday’s game against the Drive (which featured the Sox’ top draft pick in 2008, Casey Kelly, taking his first pro loss after allowing four runs (two earned) in five innings) will be swarmed today. The park will likely be at or near its capacity of 4,322, in a place where Smoltz remains an iconic figure.

Smoltz’ presence, in fact, is so huge that the GreenJackets have had to alter their usual Thirsty Thursday rules for Smoltz’ outing. Because the team expects “a lot more families,” according to this blurb in the Augusta Chronicle, Lake Olmstead Stadium will instead offer a “controlled Thirsty Thursday,” with sales of $1 beers for the big day restricted to the party pavilion area behind the bleachers.

One can only wonder: how would Smoltz have impacted the appearance of Rally: The King of Bling had he started on Friday?

One Comments for “Smoltz controls Thirsty Thursday in Augusta”

1. Fleeced Fan Says:
   May 22nd, 2009 at 5:34 am

   With John Smoltz in town, Augusta saw the emergence corporate baseball. The normal $1 beer night became $5 beer (You could buy $1 beers in one corner of the Stadium). Nick Brown (Augusta Greenjackets General Manager) reported that this was due to the large number of families expected. If Mr. Brown is concerned about family atmosphere beer should not have been sold. The Front Office expectation of families is a source to skim money from by restricting advertised specials. Get ready Augusta, this is Modern Minor League Baseball – a new stadium downtown will bring this demon further out into the light.

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