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. He played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1988 to 2009. Most of his career was with the Atlanta Braves.
Smoltz was an eight-time All-Star. He was part of a famous group of starting pitchers for the Braves. This group, known as the "Big Three," also included Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. They helped the Braves win many division titles in the 1990s. They also won the 1995 World Series championship.
In 1996, Smoltz won the National League (NL) Cy Young Award. This award goes to the best pitcher in each league. He had 24 wins and only 8 losses that year.
Even though he was mostly a starting pitcher, Smoltz became a reliever in 2001. This happened after he recovered from Tommy John surgery, a common baseball injury. He spent four years as the team's closer, which means he finished games. Then he went back to being a starter. In 2002, he set an NL record with 55 saves. A save is when a relief pitcher protects a lead. He is the only pitcher in MLB history with both 200 wins and 150 saves. He is also the only pitcher to have 200 wins, 150 saves, and 3,000 strikeouts.
Smoltz was one of the best pitchers in playoff history. He had 15 wins and only 4 losses in 41 postseason games. He was named the MVP of the 1992 NL Championship Series. He led the NL in wins and strikeouts twice. When he retired, his 3,084 strikeouts were fifth all-time in the NL. He also holds the Braves' team record for career strikeouts (3,011). After retiring, he became a color commentator and analyst for TV. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
John Smoltz was a great baseball player in high school. He played at Waverly Senior High School in Lansing, Michigan. He was named an All-State player.
Becoming a Professional Player
The Detroit Tigers picked Smoltz in the 22nd round of the 1985 amateur draft. He was the 574th player chosen that year.
Smoltz started playing for minor league teams like the Class A Lakeland Tigers. In 1987, the Tigers traded him to the Atlanta Braves. They got an older player named Doyle Alexander in return. While Alexander helped the Tigers win their division, Smoltz became a key player for the Braves for the next 20 years.
Playing for the Atlanta Braves
Early Years as a Starter (1988–1997)
Smoltz made his first big league appearance on July 23, 1988. In 1989, he had a great year with 12 wins and a low ERA of 2.94. He was chosen for the NL All-Star team.
Smoltz threw several types of pitches. These included a fast four-seam fastball (up to 98 miles per hour), a strong slider, and a fast split-finger fastball. He used the split-finger pitch to get strikeouts. He also sometimes threw a curveball and a change-up. He later said he didn't learn to throw sliders until he was in the Major Leagues.
In 1991, Smoltz had a tough start but finished strong. He helped the Braves win their division. He pitched very well in the 1991 National League Championship Series, helping the Braves reach the World Series.
The next year, Smoltz won 15 games. He was named the MVP of the 1992 National League Championship Series. He helped the Braves get to the World Series again.
Before the 1993 season, the Braves signed Greg Maddux. This completed the "Big Three" pitching group with Smoltz and Glavine. Many people think they were one of the best pitching trios ever.
In 1995, the Braves won the World Series. This was the team's first World Series title since moving to Atlanta. Smoltz played an important role in this historic win.
In 1996, Smoltz had an amazing season. He won 24 games and had 276 strikeouts. He led all of MLB in both wins and strikeouts that year. He also won the NL Cy Young Award, which is given to the best pitcher. In 1997, he won the Silver Slugger Award for his hitting. This award goes to the best hitter at each position.
Dealing with Injuries and Becoming a Closer (1998–2004)
Smoltz continued to pitch well in 1998 and 1999. However, he started to miss games due to injuries. Before the 2000 season, he had Tommy John surgery. This is a surgery to repair a ligament in the elbow. He missed the entire 2000 season.
When he came back in 2001, he couldn't pitch effectively as a starter. So, he became the Braves' closer. A closer is a relief pitcher who finishes games and gets saves.
In 2002, his first full year as a closer, Smoltz set a National League record with 55 saves. He was only the second pitcher ever to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. In 2004, he broke the Braves' team record for career saves.
By this time, Smoltz was the last pitcher left from the Braves' famous "Big Three." Glavine and Maddux had both moved to other teams.
Returning to the Starting Role (2005–2008)
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After three successful years as a closer, Smoltz went back to being a starting pitcher in 2005. Despite a slow start, he had a great year. He finished with 14 wins and a 3.06 ERA. He proved he could still pitch many innings.
In 2006, Smoltz won 16 games and had 211 strikeouts. He was one of the top pitchers in the NL. On April 26, 2007, he signed a contract extension with the Braves.
2007 was a special year for Smoltz. He faced his former teammates, Maddux and Glavine, in games. On May 24, he earned his 200th career win against Glavine. On August 19, Smoltz set the Braves' team record for career strikeouts, passing Phil Niekro. He finished the year with 14 wins.
On April 22, 2008, Smoltz reached a huge milestone. He became the 16th pitcher in MLB history to get 3,000 career strikeouts. He was also only the fourth pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters for one team.
Soon after, Smoltz had shoulder problems and went on the disabled list. He decided to return to being a relief pitcher. However, he needed season-ending shoulder surgery in June 2008. His contract with the Braves ended after that season.
Later Career (2009)
Boston Red Sox (2009)
In January 2009, Smoltz signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. He made his first start for them on June 25. He played eight games for the Red Sox before they released him in August.
St. Louis Cardinals (2009)
On August 19, 2009, Smoltz signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first game for the Cardinals, he struck out seven batters in a row, setting a team record. He finished the season with the Cardinals.
Life After Playing Baseball
After retiring as a player, Smoltz became a color analyst for baseball games. He worked for MLB Network and Fox Sports. Since 2016, he has been a main commentator for big baseball events like the All-Star Game and World Series. In 2021, he won an Sports Emmy Award for his work.
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| John Smoltz's number 29 was retired by the Atlanta Braves in 2012. |
On April 16, 2012, the Braves announced they would retire Smoltz's number 29. This means no other Braves player will wear that number. The ceremony happened on June 8, 2012.
Smoltz was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. He was chosen in his very first year of eligibility. He was the first pitcher elected to the Hall of Fame who had Tommy John surgery.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Smoltz has four children from his first marriage. He later married Kathryn Darden in 2009. He lives in Alpharetta, Georgia. Smoltz is a Christian.
Smoltz is good friends with professional golfer Tiger Woods. Woods has said that Smoltz is one of the best golfers he has seen who isn't a professional golfer. In 2018, Smoltz even qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, a major golf championship for older players. He also enjoys bowling.
Smoltz plays in the American Century Championship golf tournament every year. He won the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in 2019. He is also an accomplished accordion player.
Smoltz is a distant cousin of another Baseball Hall of Famer, Charlie Gehringer.
Accomplishments and Awards
- Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2015.
- Eight-time All-Star (1989, 1992–93, 1996, 2002–03, 2005, 2007).
- National League Championship Series MVP (1992).
- Led the National League in Strikeouts (1992, 1996).
- Won the National League Cy Young Award (1996).
- Set the Atlanta Braves record for most wins in a season (1996, with 24).
- Led the major leagues in strikeouts (1996, with 276).
- Won the Silver Slugger Award for pitchers (1997).
- Won the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (2002).
- Set the Braves record for most saves in a season (2002, with 55).
- Led the National League in saves (2002).
- Only pitcher to have 200 wins and 150 saves in a career.
- Holds the Braves record for most career strikeouts (3,011).
- Received the Branch Rickey Award for helping the community (2007).
- Became the 16th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts (April 22, 2008).
- Holds the Cardinals record for most consecutive strikeouts in a game (7) (August 23, 2009).
- Awarded the Roberto Clemente Award (2005).
Images for kids
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Fans at Turner Field applaud after Smoltz's 3000th career strikeout on April 22, 2008.
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
