John Smoltz, born in Warren, Michigan, on May 15, 1967, carved out a remarkable career in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009. Debuting with the Atlanta Braves, he later played for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Smoltz's career is particularly notable for his exceptional versatility, successfully transitioning between roles as a dominant starting pitcher and an elite closer. This adaptability allowed him to achieve unique milestones,
including being the only pitcher in MLB history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves, a testament to his enduring skill and impact on the game.
Early Career and Dominance as a Starter
Smoltz began his MLB journey as a starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, making his debut on July 23, 1988. He quickly established himself as a formidable presence on the mound. Throughout the 1990s, he was a key member of the Braves' dominant pitching rotation, alongside other legendary pitchers. His early career was marked by consistent performance and a reputation as a strong starter, contributing significantly to the team's success during that era. He was an integral part of the Braves' 1995 World Series championship team, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
In 1996, Smoltz had a career-defining season as a starter, leading the league in wins with 24 and strikeouts with 276. This outstanding performance earned him the prestigious Cy Young Award, solidifying his status as one of the premier pitchers in baseball. His ability to consistently deliver strong outings made him a cornerstone of the Braves' rotation for many years. Even as injuries began to surface in the late 1990s, Smoltz continued to post excellent statistics, though he spent significant time on the disabled list and missed about a quarter of his starts in 1998 and 1999.
The Transition to Closer and Record-Breaking Success
The turn of the millennium brought a significant change in Smoltz's career path. After undergoing Tommy John surgery before the 2000 season, which caused him to miss the entire year, he faced a new challenge. Upon his return in 2001, he found it difficult to perform effectively as a starter. This led to a pivotal decision: Smoltz transitioned to the bullpen, taking on the role of the Braves' closer, replacing John Rocker.
This move proved to be incredibly successful. In 2002, his first full season as a closer, Smoltz set a National League record with 55 saves, surpassing the previous mark of 53. This achievement made him only the second pitcher in history, alongside Dennis Eckersley, to record both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. He finished third in the Cy Young Award voting that year, a remarkable feat for a closer. Despite some injury limitations in 2003, he still managed 45 saves with an impressive 1.12 ERA. In 2004, he recorded 44 saves and broke Gene Garber's franchise record for career saves, ultimately accumulating 154 saves before Craig Kimbrel surpassed his total in 2014. His success as a closer demonstrated an extraordinary ability to adapt his pitching style and mental approach to a completely different role.
Returning to the Rotation and Historic Milestones
After four highly successful years as a closer, Smoltz made another significant career move, returning to the starting rotation for the 2005 season. His renewed career as a starter began with some initial difficulties, including allowing six earned runs in a short outing on Opening Day. However, he quickly regained his form, finishing the 2005 season with a 14–7 record, a 3.06 ERA, and 169 strikeouts, proving his critics wrong about his ability to reach the 200-inning plateau after his time in the bullpen.
Smoltz continued to pitch effectively as a starter, reaching several significant milestones. In 2006, he finished with a 16–9 record, a 3.49 ERA, and 211 strikeouts, tying for the NL lead in wins. The 2007 season was particularly notable for reunions and milestones. On May 24, exactly 11 years after his 100th career win, Smoltz recorded his 200th career win, facing his former teammate Tom Glavine. This made him the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves. On August 19, he set the Braves' strikeout record, surpassing Phil Niekro with his 2,913th strikeout. On April 22, 2008, Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in Major League history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, and only the fourth to do so for a single team. His ability to excel in both starting and closing roles, coupled with his longevity and numerous milestones, cemented his legacy as one of baseball's most versatile and accomplished pitchers, leading to his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
