By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

John Smoltz figures that no matter how well he does in a closer's role for the Atlanta Braves, it will not be his legacy.

"In my mind, there's no way somebody can convince me that that's what I'm going to be remembered for," Smoltz said. "Not even if I pitch the next five years and save 40 games a year."

He wasn't complaining about his situation, just explaining it. He said it wasn't his first or second choice to be moved into the closer's role.

"But for me to stay here, (the closer's role) is what it was going to entail," Smoltz said. "I've learned to let the role be a part of who I am, but not to define who I am. It's what I do right now."

He said it would be a little tough to move back into the starting rotation.

"It would take a whole different conditioning (program). I see myself finishing my career as a closer," Smoltz said. "But I would like to win a championship with me in this role.

"That's the one thing that's hard for me: not being able to contribute in the postseason unless I'm given the opportunity by the circumstances of each game," he said.

He agrees that teams without great bullpens don't win championships, but "you need power in your rotation, and we don't have a lot of that."

Smoltz's career record in the postseason as a starter is 12-4. His power, stuff and mental toughness made that possible.

"If I were to get four opportunities (to save games) vs. two starts, that would be good," Smoltz said. "But I look at two starts as two wins, so it's kind of hard for me to differentiate between the two."

He has, however, told Braves general manager John Schuerholz this: "If I pitch in 11 games in the postseason, we're going to be world champs."

One of the toughest parts of the closer's role for Smoltz on a nightly basis is dealing with the churning stomach that occurs whenever it appears he might be called into the game. Dennis Eckersley, another former starter turned closer, said he went his entire relief-pitching career without being able to calm his nerves before being called in.

"It's just hard to get used to," Smoltz said.

Email jerardi@enquirer.com