John Smoltz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Smoltz |
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Smoltz in 2016
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: May 15, 1967 Warren, Michigan, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 23, 1988, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 30, 2009, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 213–155 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.33 | ||
| Strikeouts | 3,084 | ||
| Saves | 154 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2015 | ||
| Vote | 82.9% (first ballot) | ||
John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967) is a former American baseball pitcher who played for 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is best known for his long career with the Atlanta Braves. Smoltz was an eight-time All-Star and a key member of the Braves' famous pitching group, known as the "Big Three," along with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. This trio helped the Braves become one of the best teams of the 1990s, winning the 1995 World Series.
In 1996, Smoltz had an amazing season, winning 24 games and losing only 8. This earned him the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the National League (NL).
What makes Smoltz special is that he was great as both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher. After having a serious arm surgery called Tommy John surgery, he became the team's closer, a pitcher who finishes the game. In 2002, he set an NL record with 55 saves. He is the only pitcher in MLB history to have over 200 wins and 150 saves in his career.
Smoltz was also fantastic in the playoffs, winning 15 games. After his playing career, he became a popular TV analyst for baseball games. In 2015, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on his first try.
Contents
Early Life and School Sports
John Smoltz was born in Warren, Michigan. He was a star athlete at Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan. He was excellent at both baseball and basketball.
Although some colleges were interested in him for basketball, he decided to focus on baseball. He planned to play at Michigan State University, but he chose to become a professional player after being drafted by the Detroit Tigers.
Professional Baseball Career
Getting Drafted and a Big Trade
The Detroit Tigers drafted Smoltz in the 22nd round of the 1985 draft. He was the 574th player chosen. He played for two of the Tigers' minor league teams.
In 1987, the Tigers were in a close race for the division title and needed an experienced pitcher. They traded the 20-year-old Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves for a veteran pitcher named Doyle Alexander. While Alexander helped the Tigers win that year, he retired soon after. This trade turned out to be amazing for the Braves, as Smoltz became a star for them for the next 20 years.
Atlanta Braves: A Legendary Career
Becoming a Star (1988–1997)
Smoltz made his MLB debut on July 23, 1988. By 1989, he was already an All-Star. He was known for his powerful fastball, which could reach 98 miles per hour, and a tricky slider.
In 1991, Smoltz started the season with a poor 2–11 record. He began working with a sports psychologist, who helps athletes with the mental part of the game. After that, he finished the season with a 12–2 record, helping the Braves go from last place to first place. He pitched a shutout in the final game of the 1991 National League Championship Series to send the Braves to the World Series.
In 1992, he won 15 games and was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series. By 1993, the Braves had added star pitcher Greg Maddux to their team. Along with Smoltz and Tom Glavine, they formed one of the best pitching groups in baseball history.
In 1995, Smoltz helped the Braves win the 1995 World Series, the team's first championship in Atlanta. In 1996, he had his best season ever, winning 24 games and striking out 276 batters. He won the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the league.
Injury and a New Role (1998–2004)
Smoltz had some injuries in the late 1990s. Before the 2000 season, he had a major operation on his pitching arm called Tommy John surgery and missed the entire year. When he returned in 2001, he was not as effective as a starter, so he became a relief pitcher.
As the Braves' new closer, his job was to pitch the final inning and "save" the win. In 2002, he set a National League record with 55 saves. He proved he could be a star in any pitching role.
Return to Starting Pitcher (2005–2008)
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After three years as a closer, Smoltz returned to the starting rotation in 2005. Many people doubted he could pitch the long innings required for a starter, but he proved them wrong. He was chosen for the All-Star team that year and finished with a 14–7 record.
On April 22, 2008, Smoltz struck out his 3,000th batter, becoming only the 16th pitcher in MLB history to reach that milestone. Later that year, he had shoulder surgery, which ended his season.
Final Seasons with Other Teams
Boston Red Sox (2009)
In 2009, Smoltz signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. He was coming back from major shoulder surgery. He played in eight games for Boston but struggled to get back to his old form. The Red Sox released him in August.
St. Louis Cardinals (2009)
Just two days after leaving Boston, Smoltz signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first game, he struck out nine batters and set a team record by striking out seven in a row. He pitched for the Cardinals for the rest of the season and appeared in one playoff game before retiring.
Life After Playing Baseball
After retiring as a player, Smoltz became a color analyst for baseball on television. He works for Fox Sports and MLB Network, explaining the game to viewers. He often commentates on major events like the All-Star Game and the World Series.
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| John Smoltz's number 29 was retired by the Atlanta Braves in 2012. |
In 2012, the Atlanta Braves honored Smoltz by retiring his jersey number, 29. This means no other Braves player will ever wear that number again. In 2015, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the highest honor a baseball player can receive.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Smoltz is a Christian. He is a very good friend of golf superstar Tiger Woods. Smoltz is an excellent golfer himself and has even competed in the U.S. Senior Open, a major tournament for golfers over 50. He also enjoys bowling and can play the accordion.
Smoltz is also known for his charity work. He and his friend, comedian Jeff Foxworthy, have hosted events to raise money for the John Smoltz Foundation, which helps people in the Atlanta area.
Major Accomplishments
- Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
- 8-time All-Star.
- World Series champion (1995).
- National League Cy Young Award winner (1996).
- National League Championship Series MVP (1992).
- Only pitcher in MLB history with 200 wins and 150 saves.
- Holds the Atlanta Braves record for most career strikeouts (3,011).
- 16th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts.
- Received the Roberto Clemente Award in 2005 for his community service.
See also
In Spanish: John Smoltz para niños
- List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
