MISCELLANEOUS 

With all the poise one would expect from a 20-year veteran and all the genuine enthusiasm of a wide-eyed rookie, John Smoltz entered the brave new world of the Red Sox and the American League yesterday. 

John Smoltz returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to make it clear he'll always cherish the city that has been his home since 1988. 

All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman passed his physical examination Tuesday in California and officially joined the roster of theMilwaukeeBrewers. 

Twenty-three years have passed since John Smoltz made a walk like this, from behind a curtain and out to a dais, where a crisp white jersey lay next to a new cap. 

We'll soon find out if he's ready to face major league hitters, but Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami already showed he's ready to face Southerners. 

Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 10:39 AM 

We'll soon find out if he's ready to face major league hitters, but Braves pitcher Kenshin Kawakami already showed he's ready to face Southerners. 

Looking for next year's prized free-agent arm? Ken Rosenthal says it's going to be John Lackey unless the Angels get busy soon. 

The Braves have reached preliminary agreement with free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe on a four-year, $60 million contract, according to major-league sources. 

The Braves bounced right back from the disappointment of losing John Smoltz. 

Japanese All-Star pitcher Kenshin Kawakami and the rebuilding Atlanta Braves agreed Tuesday to a three-year contract. 

After listening to the meteorological report -- about how the ice and snow and sleet had draped our gray town, with more en route -- Stan Kasten, who's headed this way, all but whooped into the telephone. 

So you think replacing John Smoltz will be tough? Well, try finding the Braves successors by spring training for Skip Caray and Pete Van Wieren, both nationally known broadcasting gods and both as associated with the franchise as Aaron, Spahn and tomahawk 

While the Braves prepared to introduce Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami as the newest member of their starting rotation, they also signed utilityman Omar Infante to a two-year, $4.