John Smoltz
The only pitcher in history to secure 200 wins and 150 saves, anchoring Atlanta's dominance from 1988 to 2009.
John Andrew Smoltz, nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke," was an American pitcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009. While he spent all but his final year with the Atlanta Braves, finishing with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, his legacy is defined by a rare versatility. An eight-time All-Star, Smoltz was a cornerstone of the celebrated trio alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine that propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 with a record of 24–8. Uniquely, he is the only pitcher in history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
- Seasons
- 21 (1988–2009)
- All-Star Selections
- 8
- Cy Young Award
- 1996 (NL)
- Career Saves
- 154
- Strikeouts
- 3,084
- Postseason Record
- 15–4
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Smoltz's career was marked by a remarkable adaptation that few pitchers ever achieve. After undergoing Tommy John surgery before the 2000 season, he returned in 2001 not as a starter, but as the team's closer. This transition proved historic; in 2002, he set a National League record with 55 saves. That same year, he joined Dennis Eckersley as the only pitcher in history to record both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. Before this shift, Smoltz had already established himself as an elite starter, winning the NL Cy Young Award in 1996 after posting 276 strikeouts and leading the majors in wins. He also led the National League in strikesouts twice and innings pitched twice each, finishing his career with 3,084 strikeouts, which ranked fifth in league history at retirement.
In Their Own Story
The 1991 postseason remains a defining chapter for Smoltz and the Braves. After struggling to a 2–11 start during the regular season, he turned his year around with the help of a sports psychologist, finishing on a 12–2 pace to help win the NL West. In the National League Championship Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Smoltz won both his starts, capped by a complete-game shutout in Game 7 that sent Atlanta to their first World Series since moving to the city in 1966. Facing the Minnesota Twins in the World Series, he posted a 1.26 ERA across two no-decisions. Although they lost to Jack Morris in 10 innings of Game 7, Smoltz's resilience set the stage for future glory. In 1995, despite shaky postseason numbers with a 6.60 ERA and a poor start in Game 3 of the World Series, he avoided losses as the Braves secured their only championship title in Atlanta.
Reader's Guide
Fans of Smoltz must understand his evolution from a four-seam fastball pitcher clocked at 98 mph to a versatile weapon who mastered the closer role. His arsenal included a strong slider, an 88–91 mph split-finger fastball used for strikeouts, and occasional curveballs and change-ups. He even experimented with a knuckleball in 1999, though rarely used it. Statistically, his dominance is clear: he holds the Braves franchise record for career strikeouts (3,011) and most games pitched since the club's move to Atlanta in 1966 (708). From 2004 to 2014, he held the franchise save record. His playoff resume is equally impressive, boasting a 15–4 record with a 2.67 ERA in 41 games. He was named MVP of the 1992 NLCS and remained effective even when surrendering unearned runs in his four career postseason losses.
Did You Know?
- Smoltz is the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
- He set a National League record with 55 saves in 2002, becoming only the second pitcher ever (after Dennis Eckersley) to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season.
- In the 1997 season, he won the Silver Slugger Award for leading all pitchers with 18 base hits.
- Smoltz was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd round of the 1985 draft as the 574th selection before being traded to Atlanta in 1987 for Doyle Alexander.
- He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Smoltz?
John Smoltz is an American professional baseball player from Parma, Ohio, best known for his long tenure with the Atlanta Braves. His career spanned over two decades where he became famous for dominating on the mound in multiple roles.
Why is he considered vital to Braves history?
His ability to anchor both the rotation and the bullpen made him essential during the team's championship runs and subsequent years. His presence connected the team's peak years in the nineties to later seasons through his sustained high-level performance.