You're supposed to like John Smoltz.

It isn't hard.  Good guy, good teammate, great pitcher.  Well spoken, active in his community, the face of the Atlanta Braves.

Still.

Something doesn't add up.  Smoltz just signed a $5.5 million one year deal with Boston, with performance clauses which can take him to $10 million.

We're all good capitalists, so good for him.  But then the 20 year veteran issued a statement to Atlanta fans saying "There were large discrepancies between the offer from the Braves and offers from other teams.  I have always loved the city of Atlanta, and it will always be my home. I will cherish my 21 years with Bobby Cox and all my Braves teammates. I continue to wish the Atlanta Braves nothing but success in the future."

The Braves offered Smoltz, a 41 year old pitcher coming back from a serious injury after pitching 28 innings, a $2 million contract with incentives which could go up to $7 million.

Let's call a thing by it's name.

The issue that kept Smoltz from retiring in the same uniform he wore for all these years, from playing in the town he always wants to live in, before fans and with teammates he loves, is either $3.5 million up front money or ego.

Or maybe both.

Smoltz has signed contracts over his career worth $130,095,446.  I'm guessing that last three mil difference in contracts isn't all that vital to his financial well being. 

If Smoltz leaving Atlanta is not about the money, we're looking at a basic human emotion.  Ego.  How dare the Braves not bow down before Smoltz and throw 10% of their payroll his way?  They can always cut expenses somewhere else.  Avoid trading for a player who might cost too much, put off a free agent signing. 

Or maybe Atlanta can raise ticket prices so the fans Smoltz loves so well can all bask in the warm glow of chipping in for old Smoltzie.

Players are insulated from reality.  Take this heart wrenching response from Chipper Jones.

"I was talking to him (Smoltz) last night...You know a situation like this is like going through a divorce.  I mean it's heart wrenching.  You know it's all that he and I have ever known.  This organization is it for us.  This is very disappointing.  The two of us sat on the phone last night for an hour...flabbergasted...jaw dropped wide open.  As to why this is happening, neither one of us can explain it."

I think I can explain it.  You don't spend money you don't have on pitchers with torn labrums.  Especially not 41 year olds.  Even if they are John Smoltz.

So the Braves made a sound decision, and Smoltz took a better offer.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  Atlanta wanted a home town discount and Smoltz didn't want to give it.

But don't come back with the hearts and flowers and anguish.  And more spin than you put on your pitches. 

Players equate money with respect.  Truth be told, they also face criticism from their peers (and their agents) if they don't take the highest dollar offer.  Home town discounts, the theory goes, hold down salaries for everyone else.

When it's all over there will still be an Atlanta Braves.  And John Smoltz will play another year in Boston, maybe win a world championship ring, enjoy the praise that goes with being an elder statesman of the game.  And he'll give a great Hall of Fame speech about those wonderful years with the Braves, playing before their great fans.

And when he does I'll have 3.5 million reasons not to get all choked up.