Smoltz honors late father at Field of Dreams Game

Earlier on Thursday, John Adam Smoltz, the father of Hall of Famer John Smoltz, passed away. John Smoltz, who was on the call for the Field of Dreams Game, reflected on the memories he had of his dad during the broadcast.

“It’s been an emotional day,” Smoltz said. “He lived by his faith, he loved family and he would be so mad if I didn’t do this game. I can’t think of another day to honor him, when you think about this park, this movie and how he loved every one of us and anyone he came in contact with. I’m the man I am because of him.”

Smoltz’s decision to call the game came from “the peace he had.” He said his father taught him the skills he needed to go out and do his job every day. Before the inning ended, he took a moment to recall a story from before his time in the big leagues.

“He was so proud. When I was in high school, he made my first baseball card,” Smoltz said. “And everywhere he went, he just handed them out to people. I didn’t get it then. I was actually begging him to stop doing that. I get it now, because I’ve run into so many people who met my dad and they say, ‘I met your dad.' And I say, ‘Stop. Did he give you a card?’

“We’ll miss him. I’m going to live every day for him.”