John and his wife Kathryn have six children: Andrew, Rachel, Carly, Kelly, Ashley and Sara Kathryn...Graduated from Waverly High School in Lansing, MI, where he was All-State in baseball and basketball...Played on USA Junior Olympic team and in National Sports Festival (won Gold and Silver)...Played on three championship teams in amateur ball...Hobbies include golf and playing basketball... Supports and raises funds for various children's causes, including Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, for which he received the Aflac Duckprints Award in 2013 for his impact on the lives of children in need... Active in Atlanta's Table, a project of the Atlanta Community Food Bank...Founded the Kings Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta and served for 10 years as chairman of the school's board...The John and Kathryn Smoltz Family Foundation supports many charities such as Wounded Warrior Project, Police Athletic League, Street Grace, Operation Blessing International and others...Named the National League Cy Young Award winner in 1996...Chosen by his peers as the MLBPA's Marvin Miller Man of the Year in 2002 and 2003...Recipient of the prestigious MLB Roberto Clemente Award for community service in 2005...Named recipient of the 2007 Branch Rickey Award for community service in 2007... Inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012...The Atlanta Braves retired Smoltz's number 29 and inducted him into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2012...Originally signed by Bill Schudlich and Ken Madeja.
2008
Was limited to just 6 games/5 starts by 3 different stints on the DL...Went 3-2 with
a 2.57 ERA (8 ER/28.0 IP)...Began the year on the 15-day DL from March 21-April 6 with right
shoulder inflammation...Returned to the DL with right biceps tendinitis from April 29-June 2 with
rehab assignments in Double-A Mississippi and Single-A Rome...Landed on he DL for the 3rd and
final time on June 3 with a right shoulder injury that ended his season...Underwent surgery on
June 10 by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, AL to repair labrum damage.
3,000 CLUB: Fanned Felipe Lopez in the 3rd inning of his April 22 start vs. Washington for the
3,000th strikeout of his career, becoming one of 16 pitchers in major league history to reach that
mark...Fanned a total of 10 over 7.0 innings in the 6-0 loss...Was the 45th 10-strikeout game of
his career, and 2nd in as many starts...Was the 5th time in his career that he has recorded 10 or
more K's in back-to-back starts, first since August 19-24, 1997...Is 4th among active pitchers in 10-
strikeout games behind Randy Johnson (212), Pedro Martinez (108) and Curt Schilling (93).
THE BREAKDOWN: Won each of his first 3 starts of the season through April 17, allowing just
one run over 16.0 innings (0.56 ERA) in that time...Lost each of his next 2 starts and was 3-2 with a 2.00 ERA (6 ER/27.0 IP) through 5 starts before his first DL stint of the season...Made just one
more appearance over the remainder of the season, a 1.0-inning relief outing vs. Florida on June
2...Allowed 2 runs on 3 hits to take a blown save...Was his first game out of the bullpen since the
2004 NLCS and his first of the regular season since October 2, 2004.
MORE 2008 HIGHLIGHTS: Began the season without allowing a home run through his first 24.1
innings before a Raul Casanova blast in the 2nd inning on April 22 at Shea Stadium...Made one
spring training appearance, a start on March 15 vs. Tampa Bay.
2007
Even at 40 years of age, John showed he is as strong as ever with an ERA (3.11) and strikeout per nineinning
total (8.6) lower than any season as a starter since 1998.
Tied for second in the NL in quality starts (26), was third in home ERA (2.51) fourth in ERA (3.11), fifth in
strikeouts per nine-innings (8.6), sixth in night ERA (2.98) and 10th in day ERA (3.41).
2007 was his 10th career 200-inning campaign.
It marked his 13th career 10-win campaign and his third
straight double-digit season since returning to the rotation in
2005.
Went 8-5 with a 2.51 ERA at home and 6-2, 3.45 on the road.
Hitters hit just .224 off him at home and .274 on the road.
Held opponents to a .178 avg. (31-for-174) with runners in
scoring position and just a .154 avg. (2-for-13) with the bases
loaded.
Left-handed hitters hit .262 with 8 HR and 28 RBI and
right-handed hitters hit .237 with 10 HR and 36 RBI.
In his eight losses this season the Braves were outscored
40-12. The Braves collected a total of just 25 hits and three
runs in the 50.1 innings while Smoltz was in the game.
Twice (5/14 at WSH and 6/5 vs. FLA) they were being no-hit
when John left the game.
Recorded a quality start in 26 of his 32 outings.
Atlanta was 18-14 in John's starts.
John got roughed up in his final start of the season on 9/27 at PHI, giving up a season-high tying five
earned runs in just 4.0 IP making it his shortest outing since 5/29 at MIL when he left with an injury. He got
a ND as Atlanta rallied to win 4-3 (11 inn.).
Allowed two runs on two hits in 8.0 IP vs. MIL on 9/22, but did not earn the decision in the Braves' 4-3
11-inning win. Had a no-hitter for 5.2 innings before allowing a two-out, two-run homer to J.J. Hardy in the
sixth inning.
Carried a no-hitter into the 8th inning on 9/7 vs. WSH before R. Belliard's single to leadoff the inning in a
7-1 win. Belliard scored as an inherited runner off the bullpen. He fanned 10, his 43rd career 10+
strikeout game.
Lost a 3-2 decision to Tom Glavine and the Mets on 9/2. It was the fourth matchup this season between
Smoltz & Glavine (Braves are 3-1).
Made his first start of the year on three-days rest (20th career) and did not figure in the decision in the
Braves' 4-3 loss at FLA on 8/28. Atlanta batters fanned 19 times in the 11-inning loss, as John went 6.0
innings.
Fanned a season-high 12 batters and passed Hall-of-Famer Phil Niekro (2,912) for first in Braves franchise
history in strikeouts on 8/19 vs. ARI. The 6-2 victory was John's first in five starts (since 7/23). His strike
out of Mark Reynolds in the third inning was the franchise record-breaker.
In his first start since coming off the DL, and in his first game since 7/2 at LAD, threw seven scoreless
innings and fanned a season-high 11 hitters, but had no decision due to an 8th-inning blown save on 7/18
vs. CIN.
Placed on the DL on 7/6 (retroactive to 7/3) with right
shoulder inflammation. Returned to ATL on 7/5 to rest
the shoulder.
Was named to his eighth NL All-Star team, but was
unable to play due to shoulder inflammation.
Became the Atlanta career strikeout leader and moved
past Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning for 16th place on
the all-time strikeout list on 6/22 vs. Detroit. John
allowed five two-out runs in the sixth inning in the 5-0
loss. The Braves had just two hits in the game.
Made his first appearance since 6/5 with a strong
outing at CLE on 6/16. Went 6.0 IP and allowed two
runs on seven hits (no walks) in the 6-2 win.
Was forced to skip his start on 6/10 vs. CHI due to right
shoulder soreness.
Went 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA in May.
Missed his start on 6/3 after he left his 5/29 start at MIL
in the fourth inning. John slipped during warmup
pitches between innings and felt a "twinge" in his right
shoulder. He left the game as a precaution after he
retired Ricky Weeks to lead off the fourth inning.
Atlanta lost the game 5-4, but John did not figure in the
decision (3.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R). In his previous six games
before the injury, went 5-1 w/1.30 ERA (6 ER/41.2 IP).
Tossed 7.0 shutout innings in a 2-1 win over NYM on
5/24 - his 200th career victory. The win came against
friend and former teammate Tom Glavine and made
John the 106th pitcher to win 200 career games.
Had his four-game winning streak snapped with a 2-1
loss on 5/14 at WSH, and had a huge scare in the
seventh inning. John tagged Austin Kearns out in a
rundown at home plate, and immediately left the game
after dislocating the distal (last) joint on his right pinky
finger. X-rays were negative. For the game he threw
only 77 pitches and allowed two runs on four hits in 6.2 IP.
Earned his fifth win vs. SD and former teammate Greg Maddux on 5/9. John allowed solo homers to Geoff
Blum and Adrian Gonzalez, but the Braves pulled out a 3-2 win. It marked the fourth career matchup
between Smoltz and Maddux and the first since Maddux left the Braves following the 2003 season. Smoltz
is 3-1 in the matchup. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the matchup marked the longest amount of
time between two starting pitchers facing each other since Fergie Jenkins and Don Sutton faced off in May
1982. Maddux and Smoltz faced each other with a span of 14 years, 304 days between meetings. Jenkins
(Cubs) and Sutton (Astros) met 14 years, 360 days after their previous meeting May 21, 1967.
On 4/26, agreed to terms on a contract extension that includes a guaranteed contract for 2008, a vesting option
for 2009 and a club option for 2010.
Did not earn a decision in his start at NYM on 4/22, when he matched up against Tom Glavine. John
allowed just one hit through four innings, but then allowed a Shawn Green solo homer in the fifth and five
runs on five hits in the sixth. His strikeout of Carlos Beltran to end the fifth inning was the 2,799th of John's
career and moved him past Hall of Famer Cy Young into 18th place on the all-time strikeout list.
Made his fourth career Opening Day start on 4/4 at PHI, getting a ND after allowing three runs in six innings
in a 5-3 Atlanta win (10 innings). John struck out seven while walking just one.
2006
At 39 years of age, had a Cy Young-caliber season. Tied for the NL lead with 16 wins, finished seventh in the league ERA (3.49) and third in strikeouts (211)...Tied for the NL lead in starts (35) and ranked fourth in innings pitched (232)...The bullpen blew save opps. in six of John's 10 no-decisions...Fanned 200 batters for first time since 1997, tying him with Bert Blyleven (1976-'85) for the longest span
between 200-strikeout seasons in major league history...His 211 strikeouts rank tied for seventh in franchise history for a single season...His 2.92 home ERA ranked fifth in the league, while his 3.43 night ERA was 10th in the circuit...John's 24 "quality starts" ranked third in the majors (C. Capuano & R. Oswalt, 25)...Closed the season on a high note, going 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA in his last four starts, with 26 strikeouts and just eight walks in 29.0 IP...Pitched in the season finale vs. HOU on 10/1 and tossed 6.0 shutout innings, with five Ks in the 3-1 win. It marked the seventh time he allowed no earned runs...On 9/26 vs. NYM, threw eight scoreless innings in a 12-0 win...On 9/21, the Braves announced that they exercised John's
2007 contract option...That night, John posted his 14th win with a 6-3 decision at COL...He walked none and fanned seven in 7.0 IP...His last batter faced (Garrett Atkins) marked his 200th strikeout of the season...Defeated the Marlins 2-1 on 9/16, allowing one unearned run
on eight hits...Allowed a season-high seven runs on six hits in 5.0 IP on 8/31 in an 8-6 loss vs. SF. It marked the 12th time in his career that
he allowed 7+ ER, and the first time since 4/6/02 vs. NYM (8 ER in 0.2 IP in relief)...Threw 8.0 scoreless innings and had his fourth 10-strikeout
game of 2006 (40th career) on 8/21 in a 3-0 win vs. PIT...Tied his season low by allowing just three hits while walking one...Had six-game winning streak snapped at WSH on 8/16, as he threw 110 pitches in just 5.0 IP in a 9-6 loss...Pitched his third CG of the season and won his sixth straight decision in a 2-1 win vs. MIL on 8/11...Allowed just five hits, struck out eight, walked none, and retired a stretch of 18 consecutive hitters...Won his fifth straight decision on 8/1 at PIT, allowing just one run and six hits while walking none and fanning six in a 4-2 Atlanta win...Went 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA in five July starts...Got the win 7/8 and fanned 10 for the third time in '06 in a 4-1 win over CIN...John passed D. Cone (2,668) for 20th on the all-time strikeout list...Notched his fifth win with a six-inning outing vs. STL on 7/3. He allowed three runs and fanned seven while
allowing no walks in the 6-3 victory...Allowed just one run in 7.0 IP on 6/28 at NYY and left with a 2-1 lead only to see the bullpen lose the lead and the game, 4-3, in 12 innings...Left 6/23 at TB game in the second inning with a strained right groin...He took a ND in the 4-3 Braves' win, but only went 1.2 IP, matching his fewest innings as a starter (done five times)...Gave up a season-high eight runs, six earned, but left with an 11-8 lead on 5/28 at CHI before the bullpen blew the save in a 13-12 Atlanta win...The eight runs allowed matched a career high (ninth time). Also committed his first error since 9/18/01 (at PHI) in the sixth inning, a span of 262 games and 163 errorless chances...Matched in pitchers' dual with J. Peavy on 5/22 at SD. Peavy fanned 16 in 7.0 IP, but Smoltz tossed 7.0 shutout innings in a 3-1 victory...Threw his second CG of the season and 52nd of his career in a 6-2 win over WSH on 5/12...Allowed four hits and one walk while fanning seven...Made his 18th career start on three-days' rest (and his first since 8/13/97) and posted a 13-3 win at NYM on 5/7...He went 6.0 IP and allowed one run (C. Beltran solo HR) on three hits...Threw 122 pitches and recorded his 37th career double-digit strikeout game on 4/28, fanning 10 batters in a 5-2 loss vs. Pedro Martinez and the Mets...Pitched after a 2:18 rain delay on 4/21 at WSH and gave up three runs in five innings, two of the runs coming on solo home runs by Alfonso Soriano including one to leadoff the game. It is just the sixth time a
player had two HRs off Smoltz in a game; the last time was by Erubiel Durazo on 9/4/99...Had 51st CG and 16th shutout 4/15 vs. SD in a 2-0 win...Allowed four hits and four strikeouts while
walking none...Allowed four runs in the second inning on 4/9 at SF, while getting a ND in a 6-5 Braves loss. After the second, he retired 15 of the next 18 hitters and faced only two batters over the minimum...Made his season debut 4/4 at LAD and got the loss in a 5-4 Dodgers' win...He allowed five runs on nine hits in five innings, four of the runs coming in the bottom of the first inning.
2005
Made a team-high 33 starts and went 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 229.2 IP.
... Received MLB's 2005 Roberto Clemente Award.
... Became the first pitcher in Major League history to follow a 40-save season with a 200-inning season. In
fact, no pitcher has gone more than 150 innings in a season after he had 40 saves the previous year.
... Surpassed the 200-inning plateau for the eighth time in his career and the first time since 1997, when he
led the NL with 256.0 IP. The last pitcher to go longer between 200-inning seasons was Jamie Moyer who
went nine seasons in between 1988 and 1998 and tied Bill Dietrich's (1934/1944) ML record.
... His 0.71 HR (18 HR/229.2 IP) allowed per 9 IP ranked as the 13th best average in the majors.
... Reached the 14-win plateau for the eighth time in his career.
... Made 16 starts after a Braves loss. He went 9-1 and the team went 14-2 in those games.
... Was the victim of six blown saves by the Braves bullpen, including four in his last seven starts.
... Made his third career Opening Day start on 4/5 at FLA and lasted just 1.2 innings, tying for his shortest
career outing as a starter (fourth time). It marked his first start since 6/9/01 (at NYY) - a span of three years,
300 days. John made 241 relief appearances between starts. He allowed seven runs (six earned) in the
9-0 loss, as the Marlins struck for five runs in the first, capped by a Juan Encarnacion grand slam (the first
allowed by Smoltz since 5/14/94).
... Matched up with NY's Pedro Martinez in a pitching duel on 4/10, but came out on the short end of a 6-1
decision. John took a 1-0 lead into the eighth inning, then allowed a two-run homer to Carlos Beltran
before making his exit. The bullpen allowed four more runs for the 6-1 final score. John matched his career
high and his own Atlanta record with 15 strikeouts (and no walks) in the game. He went nearly 13 years
between 15-strikeout games - the fourth longest span in major league history.
... Earned his first win of the season (first win as a starter since 10/1/99) with a 4-3 decision at NYM on 4/26.
... Had a 47.0-inning homerless streak from the seventh inning on 4/16 until Jim Thome's homer in the first
inning on 5/27.
... Pitched 4.2 innings of perfect ball and carried a shutout into the sixth on 6/6 vs. LAA, but still suffered a
4-2 loss. Left in the ninth after allowing four runs on 13 hits - one shy of his career high.
... On 6/10 vs. OAK, he threw his first CG since 4/30/99 vs. CIN. He allowed all three runs in the sixth and
did not walk a batter.
... Posted his 15th career shutout with a 5-0 win over FLA on 6/21. He threw a season-high 123 pitches.
He fanned six batters and moved past his childhood hero Jack Morris (2,478) on the all-time strikeout list.
... Went 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA in July after going 5-1, 2.50 in June.
... Went the distance for his third complete game in 8-1 five-hitter over BAL on 6/26. It was his 50th career
CG and he passed Don Drysdale (2,486) on the all-time strikeout list. John's RBI on 6/26 was his first since
6/29/99 vs. MON.
... On 7/15 at NYM, John posted his 10th win in a hard-fought 2-1 victory against former teammate Tom
Glavine. Had five strikeouts to become the 27th pitcher in history to reach 2,500 strikeouts in his career
(he fanned Jose Reyes in the fifth inning for No. 2,500).
... Recorded his 11th win with a solid eight-inning, six-hit performance at SF on 7/20. Fanned seven batters
and moved past Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson (2,502) on the all-time strikeout list. It marked his first
win over the Giants since April 1996.
... Had his eight-game winning streak snapped with an 11-3 loss at STL on 8/5, when he allowed five runs in
6.0 IP. Equaled his season high by allowing two homers, including a two-run shot by A. Pujols in the first.
... Pitched seven strong innings vs. LA on 8/16, but didn't earn the win, as the bullpen blew the save and the
team suffered a 6-4 loss. John had six strikeouts and passed Hall of Famer Tim Keefe (2,533) for 25th
place on the all-time strikeout list.
... Notched his 13th win (in his fifth try) on 8/27 at MIL.
... Was staked to a 7-1 lead after three innings on 9/1 vs. WSH and came out after 5.0 innings with a 7-3 lead,
only to see the bullpen blow another winning opportunity for him. The Braves won 8-7 after Andruw Jones
homered to lead off the 10th inning.
... Matched up against NYM's Pedro Martinez and posted his 14th win with a 3-1 victory on 9/6, allowing one
run in 7.0 IP.
... Made his fourth start vs. Pedro Martinez 9/16 at NYM and suffered a 4-0 loss. Martinez went the distance
for NY, while John allowed all four Mets runs on seven hits in 7.0 IP.
... Made his final start of the season on 9/23 vs. FLA. Did not earn a decision (6.0 IP/3 R), but the Braves
rallied for a 4-3 win.
... 2005 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Division Series (Hou.): Started Game 2 in Atlanta and got the win
over Roger Clemens, allowing one earned run over 7.0 IP walking one and striking out five...The win was his
15th postseason win, one more than Houston's Andy Pettitte for the most all-time....It was his first postseason
win as a starter since winning Game 4 of the 1999 NLDS as Houston.
2004
Appeared in 73 games and recorded 44 saves in 49 chances (89.7%)...Owned a 2.76 ERA on the year, but had a 2.60 ERA (16 ER/55.1 IP) in his 49 save opportunities...Was second among NL relievers in fewest walks per 9.0 IP (1.43)...Had 15 saves of more than one inning. Pitched 2.0 innings five times, with four saves in those five games...Recorded his 40th save of '04 (and 150th of his career) 9/21...Blew third save (first since 7/9 at PHI) on 8/20 at LA. Had gone 22 appearances without a blown save...Recorded his 30th save 8/16 at SD, becoming the first Brave with three straight 30-save seasons. Two of
the four inherited runners he allowed to score this season came in that game...Suffered his first loss (and fifth blown save of '04) since
8/10/03 at STL and allowed five ER 9/22. It was
the most runs he allowed since 4/6/02 vs. NYM (8)...Recorded a save in nine straight appearances,
7/24-8/5...Was named NL Co-Player of the Week of 7/26-8/1,
when he saved five games in five opportunities and
allowed no runs...On 7/22 he issued two walks (one intentional) for first
time since 8/16/02 vs. COL...Allowed a season-high four runs 6/11 at CWS. His walk to Frank Thomas was the first of '04...Has 79 saves and four BS at Turner Field...Had right elbow surgery on 10/7/03 to clean up scar tissue. Was limited to six games this spring.
2004 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Division Series (Hou.): Allowed four hits and no runs in 5.0 IP in two
games...Earned the win in relief in Game 4.
2003
With 45 saves in 2003 (2nd most in majors) and 55 in 2002, joined Dodgers' Eric Gagne as only relievers in
history to record at least 100 saves over a 2-year period; Gagne had 52 saves in 2002, 55 in 2003... Smoltz's 100 saves in last 2 seasons have come in 108 opportunities for a .926 percentage... Reached 100 career saves in fewest number of relief appearances in major league history, 151, July 19 vs. the Mets; Seattle's Kazuhiro Sasaki had set the old mark of 160 in 2002... 34 1st-half saves were most ever before the All-Star break... On July 31 vs. Houston, broke his own record (114 games in 2002) for reaching 40 saves in fewest team games (108)... 15th pitcher in major league history to have at least 100 career saves and 100 career wins; enters 2004 with 110 saves and 163 wins... Named to NL All-Star team in vote by players, coaches and managers; it was his 6th selection, 2nd as a reliever... Gave up a home run to Expos' Michael Barrett July 6, the 1st homer he had allowed since Expos' Jose Vidro connected July 1, 2002 (76 appearances in between); Albert Pujols also homered off John Aug. 10... Went 17 consecutive appearances May 4-June 7 without issuing a walk; streak ended with a free pass to Pittsburgh's Brian Giles June 8... ERA dipped below 1.00 on May 27 and stayed there until his final game of the season, Sept. 27 at Philadelphia, when he allowed 2 ER (his only multiple-run outing of the year)... Had a 0.48 ERA (2 ER in 37.1 IP) at home and held left-handed hitters overall to a .189 BA... Placed on 15-day DL Aug. 27 (retro to Aug. 24) with tendinitis of right elbow; activated Sept. 20...2003 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Division Series (Chi.): Appeared in two games, going 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA and a save in 3.0 IP....His 13 postseason wins are tied with Houston's Andy Pettitte for most alltime...In Game 2, received a blown save after allowing an 8th-inning run to tie the game at 3-3, but got the win after the Braves scored twice in the bottom of the 8th and he retired the Cubs in the 9th, a 5-3 Atlanta win (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER)....Earned the save in the Braves 6-4 Game 4 win despite allowing a run (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K).
2002
Set National League record and led the major leagues with 55 saves, breaking the NL mark of 53 set
by the Cubs' Randy Myers in 1993 and the Padres' Trevor Hoffman in 1998....Became only the 2nd pitcher in
major league history to record at least one season of 20 or more wins and 50 or more saves (John led the majors
with 24 wins in 1996); Dennis Eckersley won 20 games for the Red Sox in 1978 and saved 51 games for the
A's in 1992...Braves won last 49 games in which John appeared, starting June 3 vs. the Mets; his stats over
those 49 games: 3-0-41, 1.62 ERA, 50.0 IP, 25 H, 10 R, 9 ER, 13 BB, 55 K...Set a club record with 25
consecutive successful save opportunities June 3-July 30; Mark Wohlers had held old record of 21, set in
1995...John's streak ended Aug. 6 at Arizona; after that he successfully converted 16 straight save opportunities
from Aug. 8 at AZ through the end of the regular season...Earned his 40th save Aug. 8 at Arizona, breaking
the Braves' club franchise season record of 39, set by Wohlers in 1996...Led the NL with a .932 save percentage
(55x59)...Set major league record for reaching 40 and 50 saves in fewest team games (114 and 144,
respectively)...Lee Smith reached 40 in the Cardinals' 117th game in 1993; Thigpen and Eckersley each got to
50 saves in Game No. 145 for the White Sox in 1990 and the A's in 1992, respectively...Only 7 pitchers in
major league history have had as many as 50 saves in a season; besides Smoltz, Myers (53 in 1993), Hoffman
(53 in 1998) and Eckersley, the others are Bobby Thigpen, a major league record 57 for the White Sox in 1990;
the Cubs' Rod Beck, 51 in 1998; and the Yankees' Mariano Rivera, 50 in 2001...Saved all 6 wins in Braves'
6-6 road trip Aug. 20-Sept. 1 at SD, LA, Pittsburgh and Montreal...Allowed 8 ER in 0.2 IP April 6 vs. Mets;
take away that appearance and his final ERA would have been 2.37 (21 ER in 79.2 IP); he finished with a
3.25...Earned several honors: Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in the National League, setting a record with 164
Rolaids points; co-winner (with Mike Lieberthal) of the MLB Players Association's NL Comeback Player of
the Year; the MLB Players Association Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award (given to the player whose onfield
performance and contributions to his community inspire others to highter levels of achievement); Sporting News NL Reliever of the Year and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Hilton Smith Legacy Award
for being the NL's Reliever of the Year...Finished third in NL Cy Young voting and eighth in NL MVP voting...
2002 POSTSEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Division Series (SF): Closed out Game 2 and Game 5, both Braves
losses...Allowed only run of the series in Game 2 on a Barry Bonds HR.
2001
Came back after missing all of the 2000 season to become one of the dominant closers in the National League...Relief record: 1-1, 1.59 ERA, 10 saves in 11 opportunities, 31 G, 34.0 IP, 20 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 37 K...First batters were 3 x 31 (.097)...Blown save Sept. 18 at Philadelphia was his 1st after 7 successful conversions...Save at SF Aug. 17 was the 1st of his career (regular season)...July 22 vs. Expos marked the first regular season relief appearance of his career...Began season on DL with right elbow tendinitis before being activated May 17...Returned to DL June 10; activated again July 22...Inherited 9 runners and none scored...Went 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 5 starts; best start was June 9 ay NYY (ND, 3.0 IP, 4 ER) in a 10-6 win.
2000
Missed entire season after tearing medial collateral ligament in his right elbow in spring training...Underwent successful Tommy John surgery March 23, performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham...Placed on the 60-day D.L. April 2.
1999
Went 11-8 with a 3.19 ERA (5th in the NL), outstanding numbers for a pitcher plagued by elbow problems throughout the season...Was on the DL twice with a strained right elbow, May 17-June 1 and July 5-24...Tried everything to compensate for the discomfort, including adjusting his delivery to a low three-quarters motion Aug. 9 vs. the Astros and not throwing as many sliders, as well as mixing in a few knuckleballs each game, starting Sept. 15 at San Diego...Went 3-3 with 5 ND and a 2.63 ERA after changing his delivery...Was the winner in the Braves' division clincher, a 10-0 victory over the Expos Sept. 26 at Montreal...Also won division clinching games in 1991 and 1996...Named NL's Pitcher of the Month for April after going 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA in five starts...Then, won his sixth start, on May 5 over the Cardinals, to open a season 5-0 for the first time in his career...Previous best beginning was a 4-0 start in 1998...Went 3-5, but had a 2.87 ERA after the All-Star break, compared with an 8-3 record with a 3.49 ERA prior to the break...Received an average of 4.3 runs of support the second half after getting 5.9 in the first half...Struck out a season-high 11 in 7.0 innings en route to his 11th win, 4-1 over the Marlins Oct. 1 in his last regular season start...Endured a career-high nine-game winless drought June 24-Aug. 19...Became the 53rd pitcher in Major League history to record 2,000 strikeouts when he fanned Tampa Bay's John Flaherty in the first inning June 7...Hit his fifth career home run (first since 1996) in that game...Pitched the first one-hitter of his career, in Atlanta April 30, when he blanked the Reds, 3-0 (9.0 IP, 1 BB, 5 K)...Went 7-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 13 home starts and 4-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 16 road starts...Is 23-9 with a 2.87 ERA in 44 starts since the 1998 All-Star break...This year, held hitters with RISP and two out to a .182 BA...Averaged 93 pitches per start...Claimed Braves' batting title for pitchers with a .274 average, with 1 HR and 7 RBI...The Braves scored 146 runs in Smoltz's 29 starts (5.0 runs/game)...Ranks 8th among acive pitchers with 2,098 career strikeouts...Over the last 10 years his 1,893 K's rank him 4th based on a minimum of 1,500.0 IP...Since 1987 has held opponents to a .233 average, 9th among active pitchers based on a minimum of 750.0
1998
Off-season surgery limited Smoltz to only 26 starts but he posted a career-high .850 winning percentage (17-3) to lead the majors...His 17 wins marked the third consecutive year of 15 or more wins and nine out of the last 10 years he has had double digit wins...Went 13-2 with a 2.51 ERA in 18 starts (34 ER in 122.0 IP) after coming off the DL the second time 6/20...Was 4-0 in both July and September with a cumulative ERA of 1.63 in 66.1 IP...His only two losses after 6/20 were a 6-4 setback to Toronto June 26 in Atlanta and a 4-3 decision to the Astros Aug. 31 in Atlanta...Threw 2 3-hit shutouts; first at Pittsburgh 7/24 in a 3-0 win and at NYM 9/6 in a 4-0 win (0 BB, 12 K)...Finished 3rd in the NL with 9.3 K per 9.0 IP, 5th with a .231 Opp BA, T5th with 2 SHO, 6th with a 2.90 ERA, T6th with 17 wins and 8th with 173 K's...Also placed fourth with a .285 OBP allowed, fifth with an average of 7.78 hits and .054 home runs per nine innings, posted the fifth best average vs. RHB (.212) and allowed an average of 10.36 baserunners per nine for sixth best in the league...The Braves won 22 of his 26 starts...Compiled a 9-1 record on the road with a 2.72 ERA in 14 starts with 2 SHO and 105 K's...Held right-handed batters to a .216 average (64x296) with a .259 OBP and a .301 SLG%...Hitters were 30x136 with RISP (.221) with only 2 HR and striking out 35 times...From the 7th inning on, held opponents to a .179 average (14x78) with 2 HR and 2 2B and a .238 OBP...Smoltz began the season on the DL still recovering from December 1997 arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, but won his first four decisions for the first time in his career after being activated May 15...The Braves won his first six starts before he lost to the Astros, 8-1, May 17 at Houston...He allowed 8 ER in 4.0 IP in that game and lasted just 12 batters (2.0 IP) May 23 against the Cubs before spending May 24-June 20 on the DL with an inflamed elbow...The Braves scored 143 runs in Smoltz's 26 starts (5.5 runs/ga
1997
Proved to be the workhorse of the staff by making 35 starts, the most on the staff and the second consecutive year and fifth time overall John has made at least 35 starts in a year...He pitched a career high and NL leading 256.0 innings, finishing third in the majors behind Pat Hengten (264.0) and Roger Clemens (264.0) of the Blue Jays...Smoltz, with 241 K, is the first pitcher in franchise history to record at least 200 strikeouts 4 times...He posted five double digit strikeout games; three games with 10 K, one game with 11 K and one game with 12 K...He was 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA over 8 starts July 25-August 29 (63.2 IP, 13 ER, 79 K)...9 K on Aug. 4 at Pit gave him 1,682 for his career, enabling him to pass Kid Nichols (1,676) into third place on the Braves' all-time list...Smoltz allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in 22 of his 35 starts and worked at least 7.0 innings in 26 of his last 29 starts...Was 6-7 with a 3.32 ERA at home in 19 starts and was 9-5 with a 2.68 ERA on the road in 16 starts...Held hitters to a .155 average with RISP/2 out...Although he finished 1996 with a 24-8 record with 35 starts, his ERA at the end of '97 (3.02) was only slightly higher than that of 1996 (2.94) amounting to 3 more ER and 2.1 more IP...Finished 1st in the NL with 256.0 IP, 3rd with 241 K, T3th with 7 CG, 5th with 8.5 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched and T6th with 2.2 walks per 9.0 innings... Finished with a .228 BA (18 x 79, 4 RBI)...The Braves scored 157 runs in Smoltz's 35 starts (4.5 runs/game)...Finished the year ranked T9th with an opponents batting average of .232, 11th with 7.77 hits per 9 innings and 12th with 1,769 strikeouts among active players...Underwent successful arthroscopic surgery by Dr. Joe Chandler for the removal of bone chips and calcium deposits in his right elbow December
1996
Won the National League Cy Young Award, continuing the Braves' dominance of the honor, after going 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA and 276 K in 253.2 IP...Greg Maddux won the Cy Young as a Brave in 1993-1995 and as a Cub in 1992, while Tom Glavine was the recipient in 1991...Smoltz led the majors in wins, strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings (9.8) and the N. L. in innings pitched and winning percentage .750 (24-8)...His 24th victory September 27 at Montreal set the Atlanta record for wins in a season previously held by Phil Niekro (23) in 1969...Smoltz also set a modern era franchise record in strikeouts, topping the 262 by Niekro in 1977...After losing his opening start of '96, ran off a franchise-record 14-game winning streak, accomplished with a 1.83 ERA over 15 starts...Ranked fourth in the N.L. in ERA (2.94), second in complete games (six), tied for second in shutouts (two), tied for sixth in fewest walks per nine innings (2.0); ranked second in the majors in opponents batting average against (.216)...He has been first or second in the N.L. in strikeouts four of last five years...Was winning pitcher in an 8-2 decision over Montreal September 22, clinching the N.L. East Division (8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K)...He hit a go-ahead three-run HR in that game...Marked the second division clincher of his career (also on the hill in this situation in '91)...His first K September 27 at Montreal gave the Braves 1,222 for '96, a new major league record (team finished with 1,245)...Selected to the fourth All-Star game of his career, earning the start and the win...Captured N.L. Pitcher of the Month honors for both April (5-1, 2.70) and May (6-0, 1.73) becoming the first N.L. hurler to earn that distinction since the Cubs' Rick Reuschel in June and July, 1977...Struck out a season-high 13 batters three times (Sep. 7 vs. NY, May 29 at Chicago, April 14 at S
1995
Rebounded from previous season troubles with a solid performance in '95... Finished second in the N.L. with 193 strikeouts... Became the first starting pitcher in franchise history to strike out more than one batter per inning (192.2 IP)... Showed consistency by never allowing more than four earned runs in any outing... Struck out a Braves season-high 12 batters July 5 vs. Los Angeles... Had three other games with 10+ strikeouts (May 27 at Houston - 11, July 23 vs. San Diego - 10, September 15 vs. Cincinnati - 11)... Hurled back-to-back complete game victories June 14 at Montreal and June 19 at Cincinnati... The victory at Cincinnati (5 H, 0 BB, 7 K) was his first shutout in two years... Braves were 18-11 in his 29 starts and won 10 of his last 14... Had a 2.70 ERA on the road in 14 starts (27 ER, 90.0 IP)... Placed second in the N.L. in strikeouts per 9.0 innings with 9.0... Right-handers batted just .206 against him (76-for-369)... Also ranked 7th in the N.L. in opponents batting average against (.232)... Had 13 wild pitc
1994
Underwent successful arthroscopic surgery by Dr. Joe Chandler, the Braves orthopedic surgeon, to remove a large bone spur and some chips from the back of his right elbow September 8 ...Won six games with a 4.14 ERA in 21 starts...Finished the season 1-4 with a 6.32 ERA in his last eight starts, not making an appearance after July 31 ...Four of the 15 homers he surrendered came in the first inning on June 19 vs. the Reds, tying the major league mark for most homers allowed in one inning...Endured a five-game losing streak April 22 to May 19...Smoltz served an 8-game suspension June 20-28 for hitting the Mets' John Cangelosi with a pitch on May 14 at New York ...Hit the third homer of his career on June 29 at Montreal...Was 4-1 with a 3.51 ERA in June (33.1 IP, 13 ER)...Ranked 8th in the league with a .239 opponents batting average against...Tied with teammate Tom Glavine for 7th in the league with 7.6 strikeouts per 9.0 innings ...Righthanders hit just .209 vs. him and on the road he recorded a 2.91 ERA in eight sta
1993
Ranked second in the NL with 208 strikeouts ...Became the first Braves' pitcher to register consecutive 200+ strikeout seasons since Phil Niekro (1977-79) ...Fanned a season-high 12 batters vs. Los Angeles June 6...His victory on September 21 in Montreal gave the Braves four 15-game winners (Tom Glavine 22, Greg Maddux 20, Steve Avery 18, Smoltz 15) for the first time this century ...Last two staffs to perform the feat were the 1989 A's and 1986 Mets...The Braves scored just 24 runs in his 11 losses (2.2 runs/gm), eight of those 24 coming in one game...Right-handed batters hit just .199 (89x447) against him ...Was selected to his second consecutive and third overall All-Star team...Also, ranked second in the league with 243.2 innings pitched and tied for third with a .230 opponents batting average agai
1992
Led NL pitchers with 215 strikeouts, joining Phil Niekro (1977) as the only pitchers in Atlanta history to take NL strikeout honors ...Smoltz set an Atlanta record and tied Warren Spahn's franchise mark for strikeouts in a 9-inning game when he fanned 15 in a 2-1 win May 24 at Montreal...Spahn struck out 15 in a 4-0 no-hitter vs. the Phillies September 16, 1960...The 15 strikeouts by Smoltz were also an NL high in 1992 ...Compiled longest shutout string by an NL pitcher in 1992, working 29.0 scoreless innings from July 5-22...Went 11-2 with a 1.82 ERA from May 24 to August 6 (24 earned runs in 118.2IP) over 15 starts ...Selected to the NL All-Star team for second time in his career...Belted second Major League homer on April 18 at Los Angeles...Ranked 3rd in the NL with 246.2 IP, T4th with 9 complete games, T8th with 3 shutouts, T7th with 15 wins and 6th in OPP batting average at .
1991
Tale of two seasons for Smoltz, who staggered through a 2-11 first half with a 5.16 ERA in 18 starts...Turned around the second half, ripping off a 12-2 mark with a 2.62 ERA...Most significant victory came on October 5, when the Braves clinched the N.L. West Division championship against the Houston Astros, while the Dodgers lost to the Giants...Smoltz went the distance in the clincher, allowing only 2 earned runs...Nearly untouchable from August on, going 8-1 with a 1.49 ERA in his final 13 starts...Did not give up a gopher ball after July 31 vs. Pittsburgh (13 games, 96.1 IP)...Won his final 6 decisions from August 20 through end of regular season, with a stellar 1.62 ERA (13 ER in 72.1 IP)...Braves went 3-15 in Smoltz's first 18 starts; in his last 18 starts the club went 15-3 ...Finished T2nd in the N.L. with 36 starts, T7th with five complete games and T9th with 229.2 innings pitc
1990
Recovered from a rocky first two months (3-6, 5.85 ERA in 13 starts through June 16) ...Smoltz T4th in the loop with 34 starts, T5th with 231.1 IP, was 6th with 170 strikeouts, T7th with 14 wins, T8th with 6 complete games and T9th with 2 shutouts...Dominated N.L. hitters over 16 starts between June 21-September 5, spinning a 10-3 mark with three no-decisions and a 2.20 ERA ...Pitched 6.0 or more innings in 19 consecutive starts June 21-September 20 ...Stopped Chicago on five hits on May 16, 4-0, for his first M.L. shutout ...Two starts later, at Philadelphia, May 27, Smoltz came within two outs of hurling Braves' first no-hitter since 1973...Lenny Dykstra doubled, before Smoltz eventually prevailed with a two-hitter in a 6-1 victory (9.0IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 8K) ...Limited right-handed hitters to a .199 batting aver
1989
In first full Major League season, Smoltz became the youngest All-Star pitcher in Braves' franchise history (age 22) ...Charged with the loss in A.L.'s 5-3 win ...Smoltz also became the youngest All-Star in Atlanta history, and the third-youngest in Braves' franchise history (Hank Aaron in '54 and Eddie Mathews in '52 were selected at age 21)...Smoltz finished T3rd in the N.L. with a .212 opponents batting average against ...Ranked 9th in the N.L. with 168 strikeouts ...Reached All-Star break with an 11-6 mark, with a 2.10 ERA (2nd-best in N.L.)...Final ERA of 2.94 was lowest for a Braves' starter since Phil Niekro's 2.88 ERA in 1978 ...Hurled 21 quality starts...Tossed first M.L. complete game and slammed first M.L. homer May 3 vs. Philadelphia (9.0IP, 6H, 3ER, 2BB, 9K), in a 6-3 Braves'
1988
Recalled from AAA Richmond July 23, and made Major League debut same day, beating Mets 6-1, (8.0IP, 4H, 1ER, 1BB, 2K) ...Lost four straight before winning second game, 4-2 vs. Chicago, August 28 in Atlanta ...Named International League's top prospect in BASEBALL AMERICA's poll of league managers.
1987
Began his second pro season with Detroit's AA affiliate, Glens Falls (NY) of the Eastern League...BASEBALL AMERICA rated his arm the best in the league...Was 4-10 with a 5.68 ERA in 21 starts...Assigned to AAA Richmond, where he was 0-1 with a 6.19 ERA in three starts, after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers.
1986
Began his pro career at A Lakeland of the Florida State League...Won first three games, allowing 1 run in 18 innings of work ...Wound up 7-8 with a 3.56 ERA in 17 games...BASEBALL AMERICA rated him the 6th-best prospect in the F.S.L.
