The end may be in sight.  It seemed it would never end.  But we may have seen the last of John Smoltz on the mound for the Atlanta Braves.

Restricted by a bulky brace and burdened by numerous painful and sleepless nights, John Smoltz has had plenty of time to think about his future. At times, he thinks about the possibility of pitching again and at other times, he wonders if the time has truly come to realize his post-retirement plan of being a high school basketball coach.

Is that all there is?  High School Basketball?  I mean, coaching basketball's a notable profession, but for John Smoltz?

Why wouldn't he be an awesome pitching coach?  The man has excelled both as a starter and as a bullpen ace.  Who else knows more about both roles?

"There's really nothing left for me to do," Smoltz said. "There's nothing I want to do but get back to the playoffs."

Ahh, so there it is.  As long as the Braves kept making the playoffs, John was fired up and ready to go.  Not knocking John.  Love him.  But it just isn't as easy to remain dedicated to a team that is playing 500 ball.

Smoltz is considering a strategy that would have him ready to pitch during the fall of 2009 if the Braves are in the playioffs.  But the odds of that happening aren't as good as they used to be.  Therefore, the only place we may see John Smoltz in the future is not likely to be on a field of dreams but inside the friendly confines of a high school basketball gymnasium.

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