1992 NLCS Game 6

Lore & Background

In the 1992 National League Championship Series, Smoltz started Game 1 and 4 while Glavine started Games 3 and 6 (which resulted in two wins for the former and losses for the latter) to set up a pivotal Game 7, which had Smoltz as starter in what would later be considered one of the best postseason games ever played, as the Braves scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning (including two on their final out) to prevail over Pittsburgh and win their second straight league pennant.

In Their Own Story

The Atlanta Braves faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 6 of the 1992 NLCS, needing a win to stay alive. Tom Glavine started the game for the Braves, but the result was a loss, pushing the series to a decisive Game 7. The defeat meant the Braves' hopes rested on a single, winner-take-all game. The pressure was immense, as the team sought to return to the World Series for the second consecutive year. The loss in Game 6 was a setback, but it set the stage for one of the most memorable games in franchise history.

Reader's Guide

The source does not specify the final score of 1992 NLCS Game 6, nor the location, nor the innings pitched by Smoltz in that game. It only states that Glavine started Game 6 and lost, and that the Braves won Game 7 to win the pennant.

Did You Know?

• The Big Three combined to win seven National League Cy Young Awards in the 1990s.
• Each member of the Big Three has had their jersey number retired by the Atlanta Braves and were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
• The Big Three helped lead the Atlanta Braves to a 1995 World Series win.

The Formation of a Dynasty

Before the legendary trio officially took shape, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz were already establishing themselves as pillars for Atlanta. Their dominance truly ignited in 1991, with Glavine securing his first Cy Young Award after leading the league in victories. That year, Smoltz proved clutch by winning both of his starts against Pittsburgh to help secure the National League pennant, while Glavine split his World Series duties against Minnesota. Although Glavine faltered in Game 6 of that NLCS, Smoltz delivered a historic performance in the decisive Game 7, earning MVP honors and setting the stage for the arrival of Greg Maddux, who would complete the group before the 1993 season.

The 1992 NLCS Climax

John Smoltz and Tom Glavine shared the heavy lifting during this series against Pittsburgh, with Smoltz starting Games 1 and 4 to secure two vital victories. Conversely, Glavine started Games 3 and 6 but suffered losses in both outings, leaving the fate of the pennant hanging in the balance for a pivotal Game 7. Smoltz took the mound for this final contest, pitching what is often cited as one of the greatest postseason games ever played. He threw over twenty innings throughout the series, finishing with a perfect 2–0 record to claim NLCS MVP honors. The game featured a dramatic bottom-of-the-ninth rally where the Braves scored three runs, including two on the final out, to defeat Pittsburgh and win their second consecutive league pennant.

The Peak Years of Dominance

The official era began in 1993 when Atlanta acquired Greg Maddux from Chicago, uniting him with Glavine and Smoltz. This trio immediately propelled the Braves to three straight division titles, with each pitcher earning Cy Young Awards or All-Star selections during this period. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, Maddux posted a league-leading ERA of 1.56 while winning his third consecutive award. Despite the abbreviated schedule, the Braves cruised to the National League East title with 90 wins. Maddux won his fourth straight Cy Young Award, leading the league in wins and shutouts, while Glavine and Smoltz provided essential depth. Their collective strength allowed Atlanta to sweep the Colorado Rockies and defeat Cincinnati in the NLCS, setting up a World Series matchup against Cleveland.

The 1995 World Series Triumph

In the 1995 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, the Braves' pitching staff delivered an unforgettable performance that secured their first championship since 1957. Greg Maddux opened with a complete-game two-hitter in Game 1, while Tom Glavine took the mound for Games 2 and 6. Although Smoltz struggled in Game 3, Glavine's brilliance in the clinching Game 6 was instrumental; he threw eight innings of one-hit ball to secure a 1–0 victory. David Justice provided the lone run of that game, and Mark Wohlers recorded the final out as Marquis Grissom caught the fly ball to seal the title. Glavine's two victories and exceptional control earned him World Series MVP honors, cementing the legacy of the pitching trio that would dominate the 1990s.