John Smoltz

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Lore & Background

Though predominantly known as a starter, Smoltz was converted to a reliever in 2001 after his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and spent four years as the team's closer before returning to a starting role. In 2002, he set a National League record with 55 saves and became only the second pitcher in history (joining Dennis Eckersley) to record both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. He is the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves. Smoltz was one of the most successful pitchers in playoff history, posting a record of 15–4 with a 2.67 earned run average (ERA) in 41 career postseason games. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 NL Championship Series; Andy Pettitte later broke his record for career postseason wins. Smoltz led the NL in wins, winning percentage, strikeouts and innings pitched twice each, and his NL total of 3,084 strikeouts ranked fifth in league history when he retired. He also holds the Braves franchise record for career strikeouts (3,011), and the record for the most career games pitched for the Braves (708) since the club's move to Atlanta in 1966; from 2004 to 2014, he held the franchise record for career saves and has the single season record. Smoltz left the Braves after 2008 and split his final season with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Since retiring as a player, he has served as a color commentator and analyst for both Fox Sports and MLB Network. Since 2016, he has provided color commentary during baseball's biggest televised events, notably the All-Star Game and World Series. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2015.

In Their Own Story

The 1996 season marked the pinnacle of Smoltz's power as a starter. He posted a staggering 24–8 record, equaling the most victories by an NL pitcher since 1972, while recording 276 strikeouts and winning a franchise-record 14 straight decisions from April 9 to June 19. His dominance extended deep into October; he won Game 1 of the Division Series, Games 1 and 5 of the League Championship Series, and Game 1 of the World Series. Although his only postseason loss came in Game 5 after an outfield error allowed an unearned run to score, he finished the playoffs with a 0.95 ERA. These efforts earned him the NL Cy Young Award with 26 of the 28 first-place votes. Earlier, in 1997, despite limited run support resulting in a 15–12 record, his offensive contributions were notable enough to earn him a Silver Slugger Award for leading all pitchers with 18 base hits.

Reader's Guide

Smoltz made his major league debut on July 23, 1988. He posted poor statistics in a dozen starts, but in 1989 Smoltz blossomed. In 29 starts, he recorded a 12–11 record and 2.94 ERA while pitching 208 innings, and was named to the NL All-Star team. Smoltz began the 1991 season with a 2–11 record. He began seeing a sports psychologist, after which he closed out the season on a 12–2 pace, helping the Braves win a tight NL West race. His winning ways continued into the 1991 National League Championship Series. Smoltz won both his starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates, capped by a complete game shutout in the seventh game, propelling the Braves to their first World Series since moving to Atlanta in 1966. The next year, Smoltz won 15 regular-season games and was the MVP of the 1992 National League Championship Series, winning two games. Before the 1993 season, the Braves signed Greg Maddux, completing — along with Smoltz and Glavine — what many consider to be the most accomplished starting trio ever assembled on a single major-league team. In 1996, Smoltz went 24–8 with a 2.94 ERA and 276 strikeouts, including winning a franchise-record 14 straight decisions from April 9 to June 19. He won the NL Cy Young Award with 26 of the 28 first-place votes. Smoltz underwent Tommy John surgery before the 2000 season and missed the entire year. When he was unable to perform effectively as a starter in 2001, Smoltz transitioned to the bullpen, replacing John Rocker as the Braves' closer. In 2002, his first full season as a closer, Smoltz set a National League record with 55 saves.

Did You Know?

• Smoltz is the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
• He set a National League record with 55 saves in 2002.
• Smoltz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2015.
• He holds the Braves franchise record for career strikeouts (3,011) and most career games pitched for the Braves (708) since the club's move to Atlanta in 1966.