Round Two (Players): John Smoltz versus Lou Gehrig

[Fishercat]

John Smoltz (1991-1993, 1995-1999, 2001-2005)
Few come better in post-season play than John Smoltz. In 206.7 innings pitched of World Series play with the Atlanta Braves, Smoltzie has exerted consistent dominance with his 15-4 record, 196 strikeouts, 169 hits allowed and career postseason ERA of 2.66. Despite the known troubles the Braves have seen with their low success rate of their amazing continous postseason streak, Smoltz has been solid at every level of the playoffs with an division series ERA of 2.52, championship series ERA of 2.83 and World Series ERA of 2.49 (his weakest postseason effort came with 1995, the Braves one win during that stretch.) In 1991, a young Smoltz saw his first postseason appearance and made a noteable start in the championship series versus the Pirates of game 7 with a complete game shutout that earned the Braves a trip the postseason where Smoltz was bested by former Tiger teammate Jack Morris who went 10 innings of shutout ball versus Smoltz's seven. Smoltz also won the 1992 National League championship series MVP with his 2-0 record and 2.66 ERA that led the Braves to yet another World Series (and losing effort.) When it's all said and done, John Smoltz is the man who holds the record for most career post-season victories, a record that is hard to top in these days of when it's hard to sustain a dynasty.

versus

Lou Gehrig (1926-1928, 1932, 1936-1938): Typically the less heralded of the Gehrig-Ruth duo, Lou also had a pristine postseason record. Gehrig’s Yankees were 6-1 in their seven World Series shots. His best series may have been a four game sweep of the Cards in 1928, where he put up a .529-.600-1.118 line over the four games. His overall postseason line was .361-.477-.731 gem. Gehrig scored the game-winning run in eight Yankee wins.

[Fishercat]

Choose the Best means Make Your Pick, you don't have to pick the best

[Fishercat]

I <3 Loooooooooooooooooou

[missionhockey21]

A .731 SLG% for the most important time of the year, it's hard to argue with. Smoltz makes his case with his long postseason history and obviously being one of the few cogs that the Braves could count on come October. It's a tough one here as it comes down to two flat-out dominant players, but both on teams with very different productive levels in the postseason (so do you reward one for being on a good team and vice versa.) I probably wouldn't of been able to get a vote done here anyway.