History of John Smoltz in Timeline

John Smoltz is a retired American baseball pitcher who played 21 MLB seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Braves (1988-2008). An eight-time All-Star, he was a key member of the Braves' dominant pitching trio alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, leading the team to consistent success in the 1990s, including a 1995 World Series title. Smoltz won the NL Cy Young Award in 1996 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

1966: Braves Move to Atlanta

In 1991, John Smoltz propelled the Braves to their first World Series since moving to Atlanta in 1966.

May 15, 1967: John Smoltz's Birth

On May 15, 1967, John Andrew Smoltz, later nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke," was born.

Others born on this day/year

1985: Drafted by Detroit Tigers

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

1987: Trade to the Braves

On August 12, 1987, the Detroit Tigers traded 20-year-old 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 MLB career with the Atlanta Braves.

1989: Doyle Alexander Out of Baseball

By 1989, Doyle Alexander, who the Detroit Tigers acquired in exchange for John Smoltz, was out of baseball.

1989: Breakthrough Season

In 1989, John Smoltz had a breakthrough season, recording a 12-11 record with a 2.94 ERA, and was named to the NL All-Star team.

1991: Success After Consulting a Sports Psychologist

In 1991, after starting with a 2-11 record, John Smoltz began seeing a sports psychologist, leading to a 12-2 finish and a World Series appearance.

1992: NL Championship Series MVP

In 1992, John Smoltz was named the Most Valuable Player of the National League 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: Greg Maddux Signed

Before the 1993 season, the Braves signed Greg Maddux, completing what many consider the most accomplished starting trio, along with Smoltz and Glavine.

1993: Maddux Joins Mets

In 2002, the text mentions Maddux had returned to the Cubs, and Glavine had moved to the Mets who are a divisional rival. Greg Maddux had joined the Braves earlier in 1993.

1994: Elbow Surgery

In the strike-shortened 1994 season, John Smoltz had bone chips removed from his elbow.

1995: World Series Title

In 1995, John Smoltz and the Braves won their one World Series title, although Smoltz had shaky postseason numbers that year.

1996: Cy Young Award Winning Season

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

1996: Cy Young Award

In 1996, John Smoltz won the National League Cy Young Award after a 24-8 season.

1997: Silver Slugger Award

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

1998: Excellent Statistics with Disabled List Time

In 1998, John Smoltz continued to post excellent statistics but spent significant time on the disabled list.

1998: Previous Saves Record

In 2002, John Smoltz broke the NL record for saves topping Randy Myers (1993) and Trevor Hoffman (1998).

1999: Experimenting with New Pitches

In 1999, John Smoltz began experimenting with a knuckleball and a screwball.

2000: Tommy John Surgery

In 2000, John Smoltz underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season.

2001: Transition to Bullpen

In 2001, after being unable to perform effectively as a starter, John Smoltz transitioned to the bullpen, becoming the Braves' closer.

2002: National League Record

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

2003: Continued Success as Closer

In 2003, John Smoltz 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 during another Braves' postseason loss and broke the franchise record of 141 career saves.

2004: Franchise Record for Career Saves

In 2004, John Smoltz held the Braves franchise record for career saves.

2005: Season Performance

In 2005, John Smoltz finished the season with a 14-7 record, a 3.06 ERA, and 169 strikeouts.

2005: NL Division Series Win

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.

2005: Return to Starting Rotation

In 2005, John Smoltz returned to the starting rotation after three years as a closer, starting inauspiciously but ultimately being chosen for the NL All-Star team with a 9-5 record and 2.68 ERA at the All-Star break.

September 21, 2006: Contract Option Picked Up

On September 21, 2006, the Atlanta 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 16-9 record, a 3.49 ERA, and 211 strikeouts.

April 26, 2007: Contract Extension

On April 26, 2007, John Smoltz agreed to a contract extension with the Atlanta Braves, including a $14 million salary for 2008.

January 12, 2008: Doc Rivers recommends Smoltz to Red Sox

On January 12, 2008, Doc Rivers spoke about recommending John Smoltz to Terry Francona and the Red Sox organization, encouraging Smoltz to join them.

April 22, 2008: Smoltz Reaches 3,000 Career Strikeouts

On April 22, 2008, John Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in Major League history to achieve 3,000 career strikeouts. He was also the fourth pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters for a single team, joining Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, and Steve Carlton.

April 28, 2008: Smoltz Placed 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: Smoltz Intends to Return as Relief Pitcher

On May 1, 2008, John Smoltz announced his intention to return as a relief pitcher.

June 2, 2008: Smoltz Returns from Disabled List and Blows Save

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

June 10, 2008: Smoltz Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

On June 10, 2008, John Smoltz underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. His contract expired at the end of the season, and the Braves' contract offer was insufficient to retain him.

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 in Alpharetta, raising money for the John Smoltz Foundation.

December 2008: Red Sox Organization Members Assess Smoltz's Recovery

In December 2008, members of the Boston Red Sox organization, including pitching coach John Farrell, vice president of player personnel Ben Cherington and assistant trainer Mike Reinold, traveled to Atlanta to observe a 90-minute workout with John Smoltz, assessing his recovery from shoulder surgery.

2008: Contract Extension Details

In 2008, John Smoltz had a contract extension with the Braves which included a $14 million salary.

2008: Departure from the Braves

In 2008, John Smoltz left the Atlanta Braves.

January 13, 2009: Smoltz Signs with Red Sox

On January 13, 2009, John Smoltz signed a one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox with a base salary of $5.5 million.

May 16, 2009: Smoltz Marries Kathryn Darden

On May 16, 2009, John Smoltz married Kathryn Darden at his home with 70 friends and family attending.

August 19, 2009: Smoltz Signs with Cardinals

On August 19, 2009, John Smoltz signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He made his debut against the Padres on August 23, striking out nine and walking none, setting a Cardinals franchise record by striking out seven batters in a row.

2009: Contract Extension Details

In 2009, John Smoltz had a contract extension which included a $12 million vesting option dependent on his ability to pitch 200 innings.

2009: Final Season in MLB

In 2009, John Smoltz played his final season in Major League Baseball.

2010: Contract Extension Details

In 2010, John Smoltz had a contract extension which 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 Smoltz's Number

On April 16, 2012, the Atlanta Braves announced that they would retire John Smoltz's number 29. The ceremony took place on June 8.

April 22, 2012: Smoltz Hosts Fundraiser for Andrea Cascarilla

On April 22, 2012, John Smoltz hosted a fundraiser for Andrea Cascarilla, a Democratic candidate for State Representative in Michigan's 71st House District, which includes Waverly Senior High School, where Smoltz excelled in baseball and basketball.

2014: Career Saves Record Broken

In 2014, Craig Kimbrel surpassed John Smoltz's franchise record for career saves.

2014: Smoltz Hired by Fox Sports as Game Analyst

In 2014, John Smoltz was hired by Fox Sports as a game analyst. He was paired with Matt Vasgersian and also joined Fox Sports South and SportSouth for select Braves games.

2015: Hall of Fame Induction

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

2016: Slider Advice

In 2016, John Smoltz admitted that he never learned to throw sliders until he reached the Majors, nor does he recommend that children throw sliders.

2016: Smoltz Becomes 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.

2016: Color Commentator Role

Since 2016, John Smoltz has provided color commentary during baseball's biggest televised events, including the All-Star Game and World Series.

2021: Smoltz Wins Sports Emmy Award

In 2021, John Smoltz won his first Sports Emmy Award as an Event Analyst. Smoltz was later forced to end his in-studio work for MLB Network after he refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which is required for the company's employees.

April 2024: Court Ruling in Tax Dispute Involving Smoltz and Klesko

In April 2024, John Smoltz and Ryan Klesko were cleared of fraud charges in a tax dispute over a conservation easement donation made in the early 1990s. The court reduced the easement's value and imposed a penalty.