MLB Notebook: Braves to retire Smoltz's No. 29
BY Associated Press
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
4/17/12 at 3:43 AM
The Braves are retiring John Smoltz's number.
Atlanta announced Monday that Smoltz's No. 29 will never be worn by another Braves player. Smoltz also will be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame at Turner Field. The ceremonies will take place June 8.
Smoltz is the only pitcher with at least 200 wins and 150 saves. He spent 20 years with the Braves before splitting his final season in 2009 between Boston and St. Louis.
Smoltz will be the ninth Braves player to have his number retired by the team, joining two other pitchers who helped Atlanta win a record 14 straight division titles in the 1990s and 2000s - Greg Maddux (31) and Tom Glavine (47).
Bonds given extension to May 4 in appeal: Barry Bonds has been given an extension until May 4 to file written arguments in his appeal to overturn his obstruction of justice conviction.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday granted a second extension request by Bonds' lawyers, which had been filed Friday. The original deadline had been March 21 before the court granted an extension last month to April 20
Under the new schedule, the government will have until June 4 to respond. After that, Bonds' lawyers will have another 14 days to file a reply brief if they so choose.
Dennis Riordan, Bonds' appeals lawyer, said in a filing to the court that his office could not meet the April 20 deadline because of several other cases in which it's involved.
