John Smoltz designated for assignment... wonder if the Royals need a pitcher

This from Boston.com

After eight starts, two victories, and five losses John Smoltz's Red Sox career has apparently come to an end.

The Red Sox have designated the 42-year-old righthander for assignment this afternoon, meaning that if he is not claimed on waivers, the club has 10 days to release him or send him to the minors.

According to various reports, Smoltz, whose ERA ballooned to 8.33 last night after he allowed nine hits and eight earned runs in 3.1 innings of the Sox' 13-6 loss to the Yankees, has left the club and returned to his home in Atlanta, though this has not been confirmed by the Globe.

So not only did the Yankees beat the Red Sox last night, they pretty much hammered the last nail on John Smoltz's career and basically knocked out a pitcher in Boston's rotation. Yeah that's a defeat ladies and gentlemen...

Signs that John Smoltz is washed up

1. See this photo above: "Give me the ball, give me the ball, that's right, you're done. Seriously, get out of here. Run back to the dugout like you're trying to time travel... 88 MPH."

2. You know all the gags about Charlie Sheen's character in "Major League II?"

Hotel Valet: "I thought you started tonight Mr. Vaughn..."
Vaughn: "I did"
Valet: "Oh..."

Yeah that's actually happening to Smoltz in real life.

4. The Canadian Football League is calling to see if the Red Sox want to make a trade.

5. The Red Sox are considering making Michael Vick a starter in their rotation. He's got to be more accurate throwing the ball than Smoltz.

6. He probably would make Ronny Cedeno look like Albert Pujols.

7. He's already appearing in those "National Scooter Store" commercials.

8. His teammates ask him what it was like to play in the Dead Ball era.

9. His fastball would get a ticket for not going fast enough on I-90.