Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Smoltz

How John Smoltz built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

John Smoltz, nicknamed "Smoltzie," is a retired American baseball pitcher who played 21 MLB seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time All-Star, he formed a dominant pitching trio with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, leading the Braves to sustained success, including a 1995 World Series title. Smoltz won the 1996 National League Cy Young Award with a 24-8 record. He briefly played for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

In 1985, John Smoltz was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd round of the amateur draft.

1987: First Starting Pitcher Elected

John Smoltz was the first starting pitcher since 1987 to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame despite having fewer than 250 wins and only one Cy Young Award.

1987: Trade to the Braves

On August 12, 1987, the Detroit Tigers traded their 20-year-old prospect John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves for 36-year-old veteran Doyle Alexander.

July 23, 1988: Major League Debut

On July 23, 1988, John Smoltz made his major league debut.

1988: MLB Debut

In 1988, John Smoltz began his 21-season career in Major League Baseball, playing for the Atlanta Braves.

1989: Blossoming Season and All-Star Selection

In 1989, John Smoltz had a blossoming season, recording a 12-11 record and 2.94 ERA, and was named to the NL All-Star team. Teammate Tom Glavine also had his first good year in 1989, raising optimism about the future of Atlanta's pitching staff.

1991: Turnaround Season and World Series Appearance

In 1991, John Smoltz started with a poor record but rebounded after seeing a sports psychologist, helping the Braves win the NL West and propelling them to their first World Series since 1966.

1991: Braves Worst-to-First Season

In 1991, John Smoltz was part of the Braves roster during their worst-to-first season.

July 10, 1992: First Matchup Against Greg Maddux

On July 10, 1992, John Smoltz faced Greg Maddux for the first time.

1992: NL Championship Series MVP

In 1992, John Smoltz was named the Most Valuable Player of the NL Championship Series.

1992: MVP of the NL Championship Series

In 1992, John Smoltz won 15 regular-season games and was the MVP of the National League Championship Series.

1993: Braves Sign Greg Maddux

Before the 1993 season, the Braves signed renowned control pitcher Greg Maddux, completing what many consider to be the most accomplished starting trio ever assembled on a single major-league team with Smoltz and Glavine.

1994: Strike-Shortened Season and Elbow Surgery

In the strike-shortened 1994 season, John Smoltz had a 6-10 record and underwent elbow surgery to remove bone chips.

1995: World Series Title with Shaky Postseason Numbers

In 1995, John Smoltz and the Braves won the World Series, although Smoltz had shaky postseason numbers, including a poor Game 3 start.

1995: World Series Championship

In 1995, John Smoltz, along with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, propelled the Atlanta Braves to win the World Series.

1996: Cy Young Award Winner

In 1996, John Smoltz had a stellar season, going 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA and 276 strikeouts, leading the majors in wins and strikeouts, and winning the NL Cy Young Award.

1997: Silver Slugger Award

In 1997, John Smoltz received a Silver Slugger Award for his batting, leading all pitchers with 18 base hits.

1999: Experimentation with Knuckleball and Screwball

In 1999, John Smoltz began experimenting with both a knuckleball and a screwball, though he rarely used either in game situations.

2001: Conversion to Reliever

In 2001, John Smoltz transitioned to a reliever role after recovering from Tommy John surgery, spending four years as the team's closer before returning to a starting role.

2001: Transition to Bullpen

In 2001, unable to perform effectively as a starter, John Smoltz transitioned to the bullpen, replacing John Rocker as the Braves' closer.

2002: National League Record for Saves

In 2002, John Smoltz set a National League record with 55 saves and became the second pitcher in history to record both a 20-win season and a 50-save season.

2003: Injuries and 45 Saves

In 2003, injuries limited John Smoltz slightly, but he still recorded 45 saves with a 1.12 ERA.

2004: Frustration with Postseason Loss

In 2004, John Smoltz finished with 44 saves but was frustrated with his inability to make an impact as a closer during another Braves' postseason loss. He broke the franchise record for career saves, which was eventually surpassed in 2014.

2005: Season Performance and Increased Workload

In 2005, John Smoltz finished the season with a 14-7 record, a 3.06 ERA, and 169 strikeouts, proving critics wrong but experiencing wear down due to an increased workload.

2005: Victory in NL Division Series

In 2005, John Smoltz pitched seven innings in the Braves' 7-1 win over the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the NL Division Series, contributing to his overall postseason record.

2005: Return to Starting Rotation

In 2005, John Smoltz returned to the starting rotation after three years as a closer. He was chosen for the 2005 NL All-Star team, where he gave up a solo home run and was charged with the loss.

September 21, 2006: Contract Option Picked Up

On September 21, 2006, the Braves announced they had picked up John Smoltz's $8 million contract option for the 2007 season.

2006: Season Statistics

In 2006, John Smoltz finished the season with a record of 16-9, an ERA of 3.49, and 211 strikeouts, tying for the NL lead in wins and ranking third in strikeouts.

April 26, 2007: Contract Extension with the Braves

On April 26, 2007, John Smoltz agreed to a contract extension with the Braves.

2007: Milestone Year

In 2007, John Smoltz had a year of reunions and milestones, including facing Maddux for the first time since July 10, 1992, recording his 200th win against Glavine, setting the Braves strikeout record, and finishing the year with a 14-8 record and a 3.11 ERA.

April 22, 2008: 3,000 Career Strikeouts

On April 22, 2008, John Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in Major League history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, and the fourth pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters for one team.

April 28, 2008: Placement on Disabled List

On April 28, 2008, John Smoltz was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to an inflamed right shoulder.

May 1, 2008: Intention to Return as Relief Pitcher

On May 1, 2008, John Smoltz indicated that he intended to return to being a relief pitcher.

June 2, 2008: Return from Disabled List and Blown Save

On June 2, 2008, after coming off the disabled list, John Smoltz blew his first save opportunity in three years.

June 10, 2008: Shoulder Surgery

On June 10, 2008, John Smoltz underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.

November 9, 2008: "An Evening With Smoltz and Friends" Charity Event

On November 9, 2008, John Smoltz and Jeff Foxworthy hosted the charity event "An Evening With Smoltz and Friends" at the Verizon Amphitheater to raise money for the John Smoltz Foundation.

December 2008: Workout with Boston Red Sox

In December 2008, several members of the Boston Red Sox organization participated in a 90-minute workout with Smoltz, showcasing his progress since surgery on a torn labrum.

2008: Departure from the Braves

In 2008, John Smoltz left the Braves after spending most of his career with the team.

2008: Braves Color Analyst on Peachtree TV

In 2008, John Smoltz served as a color analyst alongside Joe Simpson for Braves games on Peachtree TV.

2008: Contract Extension

In 2008, John Smoltz's contract extension included a $14 million salary

January 13, 2009: Signing with the Red Sox

On January 13, 2009, John Smoltz signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox.

August 19, 2009: Signing with the St. Louis Cardinals

On August 19, 2009, John Smoltz signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

2009: Season Performance with Red Sox and Cardinals

In 2009, John Smoltz finished with a 1-3 record and a 4.26 ERA with the Cardinals, and an overall record of 3-8 with a 6.35 ERA with the Red Sox and Cardinals combined.

2009: Final MLB Season

In 2009, John Smoltz played his final season in Major League Baseball after playing 21 seasons.

2009: Contract Extension

In 2009, John Smoltz's contract extension included a $12 million vesting option dependent on his ability to pitch 200 innings in 2008.

2010: Braves Color Analyst on Peachtree TV

In 2010, John Smoltz served as a color analyst alongside Joe Simpson for Braves games on Peachtree TV.

2010: Contract Extension

In 2010, John Smoltz's contract extension included a $12 or $13 million team option dependent on his ability to pitch 200 innings in 2009.

April 16, 2012: Braves Announce Retirement of Number 29

On April 16, 2012, the Braves announced that they would retire John Smoltz's number 29.

2014: Hired by Fox Sports as Game Analyst

In 2014, John Smoltz was hired by Fox Sports as a game analyst and also joined Fox Sports South and SportSouth to be an analyst for select Braves games.

2015: Election to Baseball Hall of Fame

In 2015, John Smoltz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

2015: Big League Impact Atlanta Host

In 2015, John Smoltz was the Atlanta host for Big League Impact, an eight-city fantasy football network.

2016: Lead Analyst for Major League Baseball on Fox

In 2016, John Smoltz replaced Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci as the lead analyst for Major League Baseball on Fox, teaming up with Joe Buck and later, Joe Davis.