John Smoltz
The only pitcher in history with 200 wins and 150 saves, a Cy Young winner who set an NL save record.
John Andrew Smoltz, nicknamed 'Smoltzie' and 'Marmaduke', played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time All-Star, he was part of a celebrated trio of starting pitchers alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine that propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s, highlighted by a championship in the 1995 World Series. Predominantly known as a starter, Smoltz converted to a reliever in 2001 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, spending four years as the team's closer before returning to a starting role. In 2002, he 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. He is the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
- Role
- Starting Pitcher / Relief Pitcher
- Affiliation
- Atlanta Braves (1988–2008), Boston Red Sox (2009), St. Louis Cardinals (2009)
- Status
- Retired / Hall of Famer (elected 2015, first year of eligibility)
- Key Achievement
- NL Cy Young Award Winner (1996) | Only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves
- World Series Title
- 1995 Champion
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Smoltz's career was defined by his ability to adapt when injury struck. After undergoing Tommy John surgery before the 2000 season and missing the entire year, he returned in 2001 not as a starter, but as the team's closer, replacing John Rocker. This transition proved historic. In 2002, his first full season out of the bullpen, he shattered the National League record with 55 saves, surpassing the previous mark of 53 held by Randy Myers and Trevor Hoffman. He became only the second pitcher in history, joining Dennis Eckersley, to achieve both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. Even after returning to the rotation in 2005, he maintained his dominance, eventually breaking Gene Garber's franchise record of 141 career saves with a final total of 154 before being surpassed by Craig Kimbrel in 2014.
In Their Own Story
The 1996 season marked the pinnacle of Smoltz's power as a starter. He posted a staggering 24–8 record, equaling the most victories by an NL pitcher since 1972, while recording 276 strikeouts and winning a franchise-record 14 straight decisions from April 9 to June 19. His dominance extended deep into October; he won Game 1 of the Division Series, Games 1 and 5 of the League Championship Series, and Game 1 of the World Series. Although his only postseason loss came in Game 5 after an outfield error allowed an unearned run to score, he finished the playoffs with a 0.95 ERA. These efforts earned him the NL Cy Young Award with 26 of the 28 first-place votes. Earlier, in 1997, despite limited run support resulting in a 15–12 record, his offensive contributions were notable enough to earn him a Silver Slugger Award for leading all pitchers with 18 base hits.
Reader's Guide
Smoltz's pitching arsenal was built around a four-seam fastball clocked as high as 98 mph and a strong slider. He relied heavily on an 88–91 mph split-finger fastball as his primary strikeout pitch, though he occasionally utilized a curveball and change-up. In 1999, he began experimenting with a knuckleball and screwball, though he rarely used them in games. His playoff resume is equally formidable: over 41 career postseason games, he posted a 15–4 record with a 2.67 ERA, including two losses where he surrendered only unearned runs. He won the MVP of the 1992 NL Championship Series after winning two starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His career strikeout total of 3,084 ranked fifth in National League history upon his retirement, and he holds the Braves franchise record for both career strikeouts (3,011) and most career games pitched (708).
Did You Know?
- Smoltz is the only pitcher in Major League history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
- He was the second pitcher ever, after Dennis Eckersley, to achieve a 20-win season and a 50-save season.
- In 2002, he set the National League single-season save record with 55 saves.
- Smoltz admitted in 2016 that he never learned to throw sliders until reaching the Majors and does not recommend children throw them.
- He holds the Braves franchise record for career strikeouts (3,011) and most career games pitched since the club moved to Atlanta in 1966.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Smoltz?
John Smoltz is a Hall of Fame pitcher who spent the majority of his 21-year career with the Atlanta Braves between 1988 and 2008. Known by nicknames like 'Smoltzie' and 'Marmaduke', he stands as one of the franchise's most decorated athletes.
What is John Smoltz's most unique baseball record?
He remains the only pitcher in Major League history to achieve both 200 career wins and 150 saves. This rare combination underscores his effectiveness as a workhorse starter and a high-leverage reliever.
How did John Smoltz's pitching role change over time?
While primarily recognized as an ace starting pitcher alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Smoltz successfully converted to the team's closer role following Tommy John surgery in 2001. He later returned to a starting rotation spot before retiring after the 2009 season.
Did John Smoltz win a World Series with Atlanta?
Yes, Smoltz was instrumental in securing the 1995 World Series championship for the Atlanta Braves. He served as a cornerstone of the pitching staff that dominated the league throughout the mid-1990s.
When did John Smoltz enter the Hall of Fame?
Smoltz was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 during his very first year of eligibility. This honor cemented his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in Atlanta Braves history.