John Smoltz
From BR Bullpen
John Andrew Smoltz
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 210 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
In 1987, John Smoltz was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander. This trade set the short term course for the Tigers and the long term course for the Braves. Alexander went 9-0 for the Tigers over the remainder of the 1987 season to lead them to the ALCS. The young Smoltz did not make his first major league appearance until the middle of the 1988 season, but has been a dominant pitcher since 1989, racking up an impressive 15-4 record in postseason games, among other feats.
He pitched opposite forkballer Jack Morris in what was considered by some to be the greatest World Series pitching duel of the modern era. In game 7 of the 1991 World Series, the two pitchers shut out their opponent for nine innings. Morris pitched a scoreless 10th inning as well and when a Gene Larkin pinch hit off reliever Alejandro Pena drove in Dan Gladden, the Twins won the game and the Series.
For a few seasons, Smoltz became the new Dennis Eckersley, as a formerly dominant starting pitcher who became an ace closer. This move was the result of an arm injury in 2001. After four seasons in the bullpen, though, he returned to the starting rotation in 2005 and seemingly picked up where he had left off, compiling seasons of 14, 16 and 14 wins in 2005-2007. He was the 1996 Cy Young Award winner as a starter, and the 2002 Rolaids Relief Award winner as a fireman. Lifetime, he has compiled over 200 victories and 150 saves, along with more than 3,000 strikeouts. He is the last member of the Big Three still pitching for the Braves.
In 2007, Smoltz was the recipient of the Branch Rickey Award, which is given to the major league personality who best demonstrates exemplary community service.
Smoltz became the Braves' all-time leader in strikeouts on August 19, 2007. He needed 5 strikeouts to pass Phil Niekro's mark of 2,912. He whiffed Mark Reynolds in the first inning, Justin Upton and Yusmeiro Petit in the second, Conor Jackson in the third and then Reynolds in the third to set the record. On the day, he set 12 down on strikes as part of a 6-2 victory.
On April 22, 2008, Smoltz whiffed Felipe Lopez for his 3,000th career strikeout. He was the 16th pitcher to reach that milestone. Only Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Nolan Ryan, Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens reached the figure in fewer innings.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 8-time NL All-Star (1989, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2007)
- 1992 NLCS MVP
- NL Cy Young Award Winner (1996)
- NL Rolaids Relief Award Winner (2002)
- NL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1997)
- 2-time NL Wins Leader (1996 & 2006)
- 2-time NL Winning Percentage Leader (1996 & 1998)
- NL Saves Leader (2002)
- 2-time NL Innings Pitched Leader (1996 & 1997)
- 2-time NL Strikeouts Leader (1992 & 1996)
- 15 Win Seasons: 6 (1992, 1993, 1996-1998 & 2006)
- 20 Win Seasons: 1 (1996)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 10 (1989-1993, 1996, 1997 & 2005-2007)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 5 (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 & 2006)
- 30 Saves Seasons: 3 (2002, 2003 & 2004)
- 40 Saves Seasons: 3 (2002, 2003 & 2004)
- 50 Saves Seasons: 1 (2002)
- Won a World Series with the Atlanta Braves in 1995
| NL Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
| Greg Maddux | John Smoltz | Pedro Martinez |
