It’s been a while since Jason Schmidt was considered an elite MLB pitcher. It’s also been a while since the last time Schmidt pitched against the Chicago Cubs. Coincidence? Yes. But that doesn’t make Jason Schmidt any less deserving of being named the 53rd biggest Cub Killer of my time.
Jason Schmidt was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 8th round of the 1991 draft. After striking out a bunch of guys and finishing the 1994 AA season with a decent 3.65 ERA, Schmidt got the call from the Braves in late April of the 1995 season.
Schmidt made his Major League debut on April 28, 1995, in Dodger Stadium, coming out of the bullpen in the bottom of the 5th inning to pour gas all over a 3-1 Dodger lead. Schmidt allowed two walks, a hit, and two earned runs, although he did manage to strike out B126er Jeff Blauser on four pitches.
Schmidt’s second appearance came a week later in Atlanta against the Philadelphia Phillies, and was slightly better. Schmidt came on in relief of another B126er, Kent Mercker. Schmidt still walked two guys and gave up two earned runs, but at least it was over the course of three innings. Schmidt also walked in a run and gave up a home run.
Schmidt was sent back down to the minors until the rosters expanded in September. On September 3, 1995, he made his first Major League start. As luck would have it, he drew the Cubs as his opponent. Although he walked 5 hitters, Schmidt also struck out 7 and allowed only 6 hits in 8 innings, as the Braves beat the Cubs 2-0. Incidentally, Mark Wohlers closed out that game by retiring Howard Johnson, Brian McRae, and Todd Zeile on FIVE GODDAMN PITCHES.
The trend would continue after Schmidt was traded by the Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996 and then later sent by the Pirates to the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline in 2001. Schmidt compiled a career 11-5 record against the Cubs, with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.199 WHIP. He struck out more Cubs (128) than he did any team not in the NL West.
If there is one good thing that Gene Lamont and Dusty Baker did (hint: there isn’t), it’s that they destroyed Schmidt’s arm before he had more chances to pitch against the Cubs. Lamont and Baker rode Schmidt like a rented mule early in his career, and Schmidt finally began to fall apart during the 2005 season. He’s only made ten starts with the Dodgers since the 2006 season, his last in San Francisco.
But, hey. At least he’s still staying faithful to his terrible beard.
Why You Should Hate Him: The 2004 season. Yes, the 2004 Cubs were an unlikeable bunch of dipshits, but they were also arguably the most talented Cubs team assemble in the last 25 years. Schmidt faced the Cubs twice in 2004. The first time, his 15-23 Giants waltzed into Wrigley Field, scored one goddamn run, and watched Schmidt throw a one-hit, complete-game shutout against a Cub lineup that had Todd Hollandsworth batting third and Aramis Ramirez batting fifth. Fuck you, Dusty. Hollandsworth struck out 3 times, but Corey Patterson would not be outdone, as he whiffed 3 times as well. Schmidt fanned 13 Cubs and allowed only 1 walk, as Matt Clement was the hard-luck loser with the equally-stupid chin beard.
In Schmidt’s other 2004 start against the Cubs, he only struck out 11 and allowed 2 earned runs over 7 innings as he and the Giants beat Clement (again) 6-2. If you recall what happened at the end of 2004, you might be aware that it would have been nice to win a game or two against Schmidt.
Did You Know? When Schmidt was a high school senior, he threw a no-hitter, striking out 20 of the 21 hitters he faced. After that performance, the Braves signed Schmidt, and the Cubs signed the entire team he faced.
