The Braves entered play on July 23, 1988 30 games under .500, facing crafty southpaw Bob Ojeda and the first-place Mets.
If that wasn’t daunting enough, John Smoltz made his MLB debut backed by a historically abysmal defense. Ron Gant and Andres Thomas were probably the worst double play combo ever, and Jerry Royster had no business in CF. First baseman Gerald Perry somehow committed 17 errors at 1B. And the less said about 3B Jim Morrison, the better.
After the Braves inexplicably scored two runs in the top of the first, Smoltzie began his career by hitting Lenny Dykstra. A double by Dave Magadan cut the score to 2-1, the only run the Mets would score. Smoltz allowed only four more baserunners over the next seven innings before yielding to Bruce Sutter in the 9th. For once, Sutter didn’t blow it.
Smoltzie won only one more game that year but his first start was most indicative of the Hall of Fame career that followed.
ROWLAND'S OFFICE 