John Smoltz

About

John Smoltz pitched 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988-2009, compiling a 213-155 record with a 3.33 ERA and 3,084 strikeouts across 723 games. He spent 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves (1988-2008) as part of their legendary rotation with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, winning the 1996 NL Cy Young Award with a 24-8 record and helping capture the 1995 World Series championship. After Tommy John surgery, Smoltz converted to closer from 2001-2004, recording 154 saves including an NL-record 55 in 2002, becoming the only pitcher in MLB history with both 200 wins and 150 saves. He finished his career with brief stints for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals in 2009, posting a 15-4 playoff record with 2.67 ERA across 41 postseason games and earning 1992 NLCS MVP honors. As a Hall of Famer who mastered both starting and closing roles, Smoltz offers unique insight into pitching mechanics, role transitions, and maintaining effectiveness across two decades of elite competition.

Career