Sports Page Atlanta

Well, Chuck James is back and he is back to his old tricks… that is not necessarily good.  The southpaw pitched 2 2/3 innings yesterday and gave up 6 runs as the Braves lost to the Brewers 9-0.

In the game James gave up 2 home runs… one to Prince Fielder and one to Mike Cameron.

When it comes to James there is a big difference in triple A and in the majors.  In 76 1/3 innings at Richmond, he has allowed just 3 home runs, but in 25 2/3 innings he has allowed 9.

The record for most home runs allowed as an Atlanta Brave is 386 held by Phil Niekro.  Knucksie surrended 482 long balls overall which is 3rd all-time behind fellow hall of famers Robin Roberts and Ferguson Jenkins.

With the Braves playing the Padres in a 3-game series that starts tonight… it made me think, oh yeah Greg Maddux is on the Padres.  I bet we will hear a million times, how great the Braves were when they had all Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux all on the same team.  Well, here is the first time.

The 3 of them together were on the Braves from 1993 to 2002.

The 3 of them are on almost every major pitching category’s top-4 list in Atlanta Brave history, well them and Phil Niekro.  For example… (remember these are just as member of the Atlanta Braves only)

Wins: 1. Niekro (266) 2. Glavine (244) 3. Smoltz (210) 4. Maddux (194)

Strikeouts: 1. Smoltz (3,011) 2. Niekro (2,855) 3. Glavine (2,088) 4. Maddux (1,828)

Complete Games: 1. Niekro (226) 2. Maddux (61) 3. Smoltz (53) 4. Glavine (52)

Shutouts: 1. Niekro (43) 2. Glavine (22) 3. Maddux (21) 4. Smoltz (16)

ERA: 1. Maddux (2.63) 2. Niekro (3.20) 3. Smoltz (3.26) 4. Glavine (3.39)

Saves: 1. Smoltz (154)… ok that’s where it ends… Glavine and Maddux have a combined 4 relief appearances (all Maddux during his 1st 2 seasons with the Cubs)

And in case you were wondering… Niekro is first in losses, Smoltz is 2nd, Glavine is 3rd, but Maddux is Tied for 5th with Ron Reed and behind Rick Mahler.