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{{Short description|American baseball player and sportscaster (born 1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=John Smoltz
|image=Hall of Famer John Smoltz speaks to reporters before the MLBPAA's 2016 Legends for Youth Dinner (cropped).jpg
|width=
|caption=Smoltz in 2016
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1967|5|15}}
|birth_place=[[Warren, Michigan]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=July 23
|debutyear=1988
|debutteam=Atlanta Braves
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 30
|finalyear=2009
|finalteam=St. Louis Cardinals
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=213–155
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.33
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=3,084
|stat4label=[[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
|stat4value=154
|teams=
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|1988}}–{{mlby|1999}}, {{mlby|2001}}–{{mlby|2008}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2009}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|2009}})
|highlights=
* 8× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1989]], [[1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1992]], [[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]], [[1996 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1996]], [[2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2002]], [[2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2003]], [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2005]], [[2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2007]])
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1995}})
* [[NL Cy Young Award]] (1996)
* [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|NLCS MVP]] ({{nlcsy|1992}})
* [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1997)
* [[Rolaids Relief Man Award|NL Rolaids Relief Man Award]] (2002)
* [[Roberto Clemente Award]] (2005)
* 2× [[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders|NL wins leader]] (1996, 2006)
* 2× [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders|NL strikeout leader]] (1992, 1996)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders|NL saves leader]] (2002)
* [[Atlanta Braves#Retired numbers|Atlanta Braves No. 29]] retired
* [[Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame|Braves Hall of Fame]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate= [[2015 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2015]]
|hofvote= 82.9% (first ballot)
}}
'''John Andrew Smoltz''' (born May 15, 1967), nicknamed "'''Smoltzie'''"<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smoltjo01.shtml John Smoltz Statistics and History | Baseball-Reference.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and "'''Marmaduke'''",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-COMMUNITY-NEWS-c-2012-04-16-192726.114126-John-Smoltz-inspires-Milton-youth-baseball-team.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040407/http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-COMMUNITY-NEWS-c-2012-04-16-192726.114126-John-Smoltz-inspires-Milton-youth-baseball-team.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2017|title=John Smoltz inspires Milton youth baseball team|publisher=northfulton.com|access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref> is an American former [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] who played 21 seasons in [[Major League Baseball]] from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the [[Atlanta Braves]]. An eight-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]], Smoltz was part of a [[Big Three (Atlanta Braves)|celebrated trio]] of [[starting pitcher]]s, along with [[Greg Maddux]] and [[Tom Glavine]], who propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s, highlighted by a championship in the [[1995 World Series]]. He won the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[Cy Young Award]] in 1996 after posting a [[win–loss record (pitching)|record]] of 24&ndash;8, equaling the most victories by an NL pitcher since 1972. He also played for the [[Boston Red Sox]] and [[St. Louis Cardinals]].

Though predominantly known as a starter, Smoltz was converted to a [[relief pitcher|reliever]] in 2001 after his recovery from [[Tommy John surgery]], and spent four years as the team's [[closer (baseball)|closer]] before returning to a starting role. In 2002, he set a National League record with 55 [[save (baseball)|saves]] and became only the second pitcher in history (joining [[Dennis Eckersley]]) 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.

Smoltz was one of the most successful pitchers in playoff history, posting a record of 15&ndash;4 with a 2.67 [[earned run average]] (ERA) in 41 career postseason games, (and in two of those four losses, he surrendered only unearned runs). He was named the [[League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] of the [[1992 NLCS|1992 NL Championship Series]]; [[Andy Pettitte]] later broke his record for career postseason wins. Smoltz led the NL in wins, [[winning percentage]], [[strikeout]]s and [[innings pitched]] twice each, and his NL total of [[3,000 strikeout club|3,084 strikeouts]] ranked fifth in league history when he retired. He also holds the Braves franchise record for career strikeouts (3,011), and the record for the most career [[games pitched]] for the Braves (708) since the club's move to Atlanta in 1966; from 2004 to 2014, he held the franchise record for career saves and has the single season record. Smoltz left the Braves after 2008 and split his final season with the [[Boston Red Sox]] and [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. Since retiring as a player, he has served as a [[color commentator]] and [[sports analyst|analyst]] for both [[Fox Sports]] and [[MLB Network]]. Since 2016, he has provided color commentary during baseball's biggest televised events, notably the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] and [[World Series]]. He was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility in [[2015 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2015]].

==Early life==
John Andrew Smoltz was born on May 15, 1967, in [[Warren, Michigan]]. Smoltz was an All-State baseball player at [[Waverly Senior High School|Waverly High School]] in [[Lansing, Michigan]], where he played two seasons after transferring from [[Lansing Catholic High School]]. He was also an all-conference basketball player as a {{convert|6|ft|2|in|adj=on}} [[guard (basketball)|guard]] in high school, drawing some interest from college coaches. He elected to concentrate on baseball.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

Following his high school career, Smoltz committed to play baseball at [[Michigan State University]] but elected to sign a professional contract after being drafted by the [[Detroit Tigers]] and receiving a substantial bonus offer.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

==Professional career==
===Draft and minor leagues===
The [[Detroit Tigers]] selected him in the 22nd round of the [[1985 Major League Baseball draft|1985 amateur draft]].<ref>Porter, David L. 2000. "John Smoltz" in ''The Biographical Dictionary of American Sports'', 1440–1441. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group</ref> He was the 574th selection of the draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mymlbdraft.com/1985/round22/ |title=1985 MLB Draft History – Round 22 |publisher=Mymlbdraft.com |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> Smoltz played initially for the Single-A [[Lakeland Tigers]] minor-league team, and then moved on to the Double-A [[Glens Falls Tigers]] in 1987, posting records of 7&ndash;8 and 4&ndash;10.<ref>Porter, David L. 2000. "John Smoltz" in ''The Biographical Dictionary of American Sports'', 1440–1441. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group.</ref> In 1987, the Tigers were in a three-team race, chasing the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] for the [[AL East]] division lead; in need of pitching help, Detroit sent their 20-year-old prospect to the Braves for 36-year-old veteran [[Doyle Alexander]] on August 12. While Alexander did help the Tigers overtake the Blue Jays for the division title, going 9–0 down the stretch, he was out of baseball by 1989. Smoltz, in contrast, became one of the cornerstones of the Braves franchise for the next two decades.

===Atlanta Braves (1988–1999, 2001–2008)===
====Early years (1988–1997)====
Smoltz made his major league debut on July 23, 1988. He posted poor statistics in a dozen starts, but in 1989 Smoltz blossomed. In 29 starts, he recorded a 12–11 record and 2.94 ERA while pitching 208 innings, 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. Over his career, Smoltz threw a four-seam [[fastball]] that was clocked as high as 98 miles per hour, a strong, effective [[Slider (baseball)|slider]] and an 88–91&nbsp;mph [[split-finger fastball]] that he used as a [[strikeout]] pitch. He also used a [[curveball]] and [[change-up]] on occasion, and in 1999, he began experimenting with both a [[knuckleball]] and a [[screwball]], though he rarely used either in game situations.<ref>[[Rob Neyer|Neyer, Rob]] and [[Bill James]], ''The Neyer-James Guide to Pitchers''. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004. {{ISBN|0-7432-6158-5}}</ref> He admitted in 2016 that he never learned to throw sliders until he reached the Majors, nor does he recommend to children to throw sliders.<ref>{{Citation|last=MLB Network|title=John Smoltz On The Destruction Of A Slider On A Pitcher|date=June 23, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb-q_tuFivE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Lb-q_tuFivE| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=June 12, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Smoltz began the 1991 season with a 2–11 record. He began seeing a [[sports psychology|sports psychologist]], after which he closed out the season on a 12–2 pace,<ref>[http://editor.slate.com/default.aspx/id/2146635 Does sports psychology really work?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210020206/http://editor.slate.com/default.aspx/id/2146635 |date=December 10, 2007 }} by Daniel Engber – Slate Magazine</ref> helping the Braves win a tight NL West race. His winning ways continued into the [[1991 National League Championship Series]]. Smoltz won both his starts against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], capped by a complete game [[shutouts in baseball|shutout]] in the seventh game, propelling the Braves to their first World Series since moving to Atlanta in 1966. Smoltz had two no-decisions against the [[Minnesota Twins]], with a 1.26 ERA. In the seventh and deciding game, he faced his former Detroit Tiger hero, [[Jack Morris]]. Both starters pitched shutout ball for seven innings, before Smoltz was removed from the scoreless game during a Twins threat in the eighth. Atlanta reliever [[Mike Stanton (left-handed pitcher)|Mike Stanton]] pitched out of the jam, getting Smoltz off the hook, and Morris eventually pitched a 10-inning complete-game victory.

The next year, Smoltz won 15 regular-season games and was the MVP of the [[1992 National League Championship Series]], winning two games. He left the seventh game trailing, but ended up with a no-decision as the Braves mounted a dramatic ninth-inning comeback win. In the [[1992 World Series]] against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]], Smoltz had two starts and received a no-decision in Game 2 and a win with the Braves facing elimination in Game 5. The Braves lost in six games.

Before the 1993 season, the Braves signed renowned control pitcher [[Greg Maddux]], completing — along with Smoltz and Glavine — what many consider to be the [[Atlanta Braves 1990s pitching rotation|most accomplished starting trio]] ever assembled on a single major-league team. Smoltz again won 15 games, but suffered his first postseason loss to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] in the [[1993 NLCS|NLCS]] despite not allowing an [[earned run]].

Smoltz had a 6–10 record in the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] 1994 season, and during the break, had bone chips removed from his elbow.<ref name="Digest199610"/> 

Returning as the Braves' No. 3 starter in 1995, he posted a 12–7 record. Ironically, the year the Braves won their one World Series title in their long run of division titles was the one year Smoltz had shaky postseason numbers. He did avoid being tagged with any losses despite a 6.60 ERA, but his Game 3 start in that World Series was his only poor World Series start in his career, getting knocked out in the third inning. But Smoltz and the Braves won the franchise's first<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/02/sport/atlanta-braves-win-world-series-spt/index.html |title=Atlanta Braves win World Series for the first time since 1995 |last=Almasy |first=Steve |date=November 3, 2021 |website=[[CNN]] |publisher= |access-date=March 12, 2022 |quote= }}</ref> World Series in Atlanta, thanks in great part to Maddux and Glavine, who had begun to overshadow Smoltz. Smoltz would have been the Game 7 starter had the series gone that far.

In 1996, Smoltz went 24–8 with a 2.94 ERA and 276 strikeouts, including winning a franchise-record 14 straight decisions from April 9 to June 19.<ref name="Digest199610">{{Cite magazine|last=Whiteside|first=Larry|date=October 1996|title=Braves' John Smoltz Makes A Pitch for Cy Young Award|magazine=[[Baseball Digest]]|volume=55|issue=10|pages=22–25|publisher=Lakeside Publishing Co|location=United States|issn=0005-609X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ysDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22|access-date=June 22, 2010}}</ref> His wins and strikeout totals led the majors that year. Smoltz continued to pitch brilliantly in the postseason, winning game 1 in the [[1996 National League Division Series|Division Series]], games 1 and 5 in the [[1996 National League Championship Series|League Championship Series]], and game 1 in the [[1996 World Series|World Series]]. Game 5 was his only loss in the postseason, after an outfield error eventually led to [[Charlie Hayes]] scoring the game's sole unearned run. The Braves fell to the [[New York Yankees]] in six games. Smoltz concluded the playoffs with a 0.95 ERA and won the NL [[Cy Young Award]] with 26 of the 28 first-place votes. Smoltz's effectiveness in 1997 was only slightly less than in his Cy Young season, but frugal run support limited him to a 15–12 record. Smoltz also received a [[Silver Slugger Award]] for his batting, as he led all pitchers with 18 base hits.

====Injuries and move to the bullpen (1998–2004)====
Smoltz continued to post excellent statistics in 1998 and 1999 but he was spending significant time on the disabled list and missed about a quarter of his starts. In 1999, Smoltz began experimenting with both a knuckleball and a three-quarters delivery, although he rarely used either in game situations.<ref>[[Rob Neyer|Neyer, Rob]] and [[Bill James]], ''The Neyer-James Guide to Pitchers''. New York: [[Simon & Schuster]], 2004. {{ISBN|0-7432-6158-5}}</ref> He underwent [[Tommy John surgery]] before the 2000 season and missed the entire year.<ref name="Digest200007">{{Cite magazine|last=Kuenster|first=John|date=July 2000|title=Without John Smoltz, Braves May Be Pressed To Set New Winning Record|magazine=[[Baseball Digest]]|volume=59|issue=7|page=17|publisher=Lakeside Publishing Co|location=United States|issn=0005-609X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lysDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17|access-date=June 22, 2010}}</ref> When he was unable to perform effectively as a starter in 2001, Smoltz transitioned to the bullpen, replacing [[John Rocker]] as the Braves' closer.

In 2002, his first full season as a closer, Smoltz set a National League record with 55 saves, topping the previous mark of 53, shared by [[Randy Myers]] (1993) and [[Trevor Hoffman]] (1998). Smoltz finished third in the Cy Young Award voting; [[Éric Gagné]] equaled his record a year later with the Dodgers. Injuries limited Smoltz slightly in 2003, but he still recorded 45 saves with a 1.12 ERA in {{frac|64|1|3}} innings pitched. In 2004, Smoltz finished with 44 saves, but was frustrated with his inability to make an impact as a closer during another Braves' postseason loss. That year, he broke [[Gene Garber]]'s franchise record of 141 career saves; his final total of 154 saves was eventually surpassed by [[Craig Kimbrel]] in 2014. By this point, Smoltz was the final remaining member of the Braves' dominant rotation of the 1990s. Glavine had moved on to play for the Mets, a divisional rival, while Maddux returned to his old team, the [[Chicago Cubs]].

====Return to the rotation (2005–2008)====
[[File:John Smoltz with Colonel Air Force (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Smoltz in 2007]]

After three years as a closer, Smoltz returned to the starting rotation entering the 2005 season. His renewed career as a starter began inauspiciously. He allowed six earned runs in only 1{{fraction|2|3}} innings—matching the shortest starts of his career—as the Braves were blown out on Opening Day by the Marlins. Poor run support contributed to an 0–3 start despite stronger pitching performances by Smoltz. After these initial difficulties, though, things fell into place. At the All-Star break, Smoltz was 9–5 with an ERA of 2.68 and was chosen for the 2005 NL All-Star team. Smoltz gave up a solo home run to [[Miguel Tejada]] in the second inning of the American League's 7–5 victory and was charged with the loss. For his career, he was 1–2 in All-Star games, putting him in a tie for the most losses.

Smoltz finished 2005 at 14–7, with a 3.06 ERA and 169 strikeouts while allowing less than one hit per inning. Smoltz had answered the critics who doubted he would be able to reach the 200-inning plateau after three years in the bullpen. Nonetheless, Smoltz's increased workload caused him to wear down toward the end of the season.

Despite a sore shoulder, Smoltz pitched seven innings in the Braves' 7–1 win over the [[Houston Astros]] in Game 2 of the [[2005 NLDS|2005 NL Division Series]]; it was the only game the Braves won in the series against the eventual National League champions. The victory over Houston gave Smoltz a 13–4 record as a starter (15–4 overall) with a 2.65 ERA in the postseason. In two of those post-season losses, he surrendered only unearned runs. He has the second-most postseason wins (15) behind only [[Andy Pettitte]] with 19. They are followed by Glavine (14) and Maddux (11).

In 2006, Smoltz finished the season with a record of 16–9, an ERA of 3.49, and 211 strikeouts. He was one of four pitchers tied for the NL lead in wins, and was third in strikeouts.

[[File:JohnSmoltz.jpg|thumb|upright|Smoltz in 2007]]
On September 21, 2006, the Braves announced they had picked up Smoltz's $8&nbsp;million contract option for the 2007 season. On April 26, 2007, Smoltz agreed to a contract extension with the Braves. The extension includes a $14&nbsp;million salary for the 2008 season, a $12 million vesting option for 2009 dependent on his ability to pitch 200 innings in 2008 and a $12 or $13 million team option for 2010 dependent on his ability to pitch 200 innings in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bowman|first=Mark|title=Braves give Smoltz an extension: Veteran almost certain to finish legendary career in Atlanta|work=MLB.com|date=April 26, 2007|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070426&content_id=1932258&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb}}</ref>

2007 was a year of reunions and milestones for Smoltz. On May 9, he faced Maddux for the first time since July 10, 1992. Smoltz earned a win in a 3–2 victory over the [[San Diego Padres]]; Maddux received no decision. On May 24, exactly 11 years to the day after recording his 100th win, Smoltz recorded his 200th win against Glavine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bowman |first=Mark |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20070524&content_id=1983289&vkey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&team=home&c_id=atl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106114723/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20070524&content_id=1983289&vkey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&team=home&c_id=atl |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 6, 2007 |title=The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Game Wrapup |publisher=Atlanta.braves.mlb.com |date=May 24, 2007 |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> He faced Glavine three other times, faring 3–1 overall against him. On June 27, Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux each recorded wins on the same day. On August 19, Smoltz set the Braves strikeout record by striking out the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]' [[Mark Reynolds (baseball)|Mark Reynolds]]. It was his 2,913th strikeout, passing [[Phil Niekro]] on the club's all-time list; he struck out a season-high 12 in the game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeff Lutz |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070819&content_id=2158289&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date=August 19, 2007 |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> He finished the year 14–8 with a 3.11 ERA and 197 strikeouts. The stalwart pitcher was the only holdover on the Braves roster from their 1991 worst-to-first season until Glavine returned to the Braves after an absence of several years following the 2007 season.

On April 22, 2008, Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in Major League history to reach [[3000 strikeout club|3,000 career strikeouts]], and the fourth pitcher to strike out 3,000 batters for one team, joining [[Walter Johnson]], [[Bob Gibson]] and [[Steve Carlton]].

On April 28, 2008, Smoltz was placed on the 15-day [[disabled list]] due to an inflamed right shoulder.<ref>{{Cite news
  | last = The Associated Press
  | title = Smoltz Put on Disabled List With Sore Right Shoulder
  | newspaper=New York Times
  | date = April 30, 2008
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/sports/baseball/30braves.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
  }}</ref>

====Return to relief (2008)====
On May 1, 2008, Smoltz indicated that he intended to return to being a relief pitcher. After coming off the disabled list on June 2, 2008, he blew his first save opportunity in three years. Two days later, the Braves placed him back on the disabled list. Smoltz underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on June 10, 2008.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080615000624/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/06/10/smoltz.surgery.ap/index.html "Smoltz has surgery, future as pitcher uncertain"], Sports Illustrated, June 10, 2008</ref> His contract expired at the end of the season, and the contract offer from the Braves was not sufficient to keep him.<ref>[http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=4fb8eb3f8d051d41 Braves' decision on Smoltz is upsetting]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Boston Red Sox (2009)===
[[Image:John Smoltz 2009.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Smoltz with the Boston Red Sox]]
In December 2008, several members of the [[Boston Red Sox]] organization, including pitching coach [[John Farrell (pitcher)|John Farrell]], vice president of player personnel [[Ben Cherington]] and assistant trainer Mike Reinold, flew to Atlanta to participate in a 90-minute workout with Smoltz. Throwing for only the second time since having surgery on a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder, Smoltz threw a 50-pitch side session and showcased his progress since the surgery. He impressed the Red Sox enough during the workout that less than a month later, a one-year contract was offered by the organization.<ref>Bradford, Rob [http://www.weei.com/The-Day-That-Led-John-Smoltz-To-Become-A-Member-Of/3655399 "How John Smoltz Convinced The Red Sox He Was Worth A Chance"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090120132908/http://www.weei.com/The-Day-That-Led-John-Smoltz-To-Become-A-Member-Of/3655399 |date=January 20, 2009 }} Retrieved from [http://www.weei.com WEEI.com] on January 28, 2009.</ref>

On January 13, 2009, Smoltz signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox for a reported base salary of $5.5 million with roster time incentives and miscellaneous award incentives which could net as much as $10 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090113&content_id=3741859&vkey=pr_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607015645/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090113&content_id=3741859&vkey=pr_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Red Sox sign free agent righthanded pitcher John Smoltz to one-year contract |website=Boston Red Sox|publisher=MLB |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> He made his first start in the Red Sox rotation on June 25, allowing seven hits and five runs through five innings.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ian Browne |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090108&content_id=3737540&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116183315/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090108&content_id=3737540&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |title=Smoltz signs offer sheet from Red Sox |website=Boston Red Sox|publisher=MLB |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-redsox-smoltz&prov=ap&type=lgns |title=Smoltz to Red Sox; Baldelli, Penny will join him |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |access-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617185934/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-redsox-smoltz&prov=ap&type=lgns |archive-date=June 17, 2009  }}</ref> Smoltz posted a 2–5 record over eight games with an 8.32 ERA and no [[quality start]]s. He was [[designated for assignment]] on August 7 after a 13–6 loss to the [[New York Yankees]], giving the Red Sox ten days to release or trade him, or send him to the minors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/08/smoltz_designat.html |title=Smoltz designated for assignment |publisher=Boston.com |date=August 7, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref> The Red Sox offered Smoltz a minor league stint in order to prepare him to be placed in the bullpen, but he rejected the offer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soxblog.projo.com/2009/08/smoltz-wont-go.html |title=Smoltz won't go to Boston bullpen, time with Sox likely done |publisher=Soxblog.projo.com |access-date=October 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715121408/http://soxblog.projo.com/2009/08/smoltz-wont-go.html |archive-date=July 15, 2011  }}</ref> On August 17, the Red Sox released Smoltz.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9948512/Red-Sox-officially-release-former-Cy-Young-winner |title=Red Sox officially release former Cy Young winner |author=Jon Paul Morosi |work=Fox Sports |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=August 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819140947/http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9948512/Red-Sox-officially-release-former-Cy-Young-winner |archive-date=August 19, 2009  }}</ref>

===St. Louis Cardinals (2009)===
[[File:John Smoltz STL.jpg|thumb|upright|Smoltz with the Cardinals on September 3, 2009]]
On August 19, 2009, Smoltz signed with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]; he made his debut against the Padres on August 23. In his first game for the Cardinals, he went five innings, striking out nine and walking none, while setting a Cardinals franchise record by striking out seven batters in a row.<ref name="Aug23">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290823125 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915001458/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290823125 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2016 |title=St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres – Recap – August 23, 2009 – ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=August 23, 2009 |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref>

That win against the Padres was his only win with St. Louis that season. Smoltz finished 1–3 with an ERA of 4.26 with the Cardinals. He was 3–8 with an ERA of 6.35 overall with the Red Sox and Cardinals. In Game 3 of the [[2009 NLDS|2009 NL Division Series]], Smoltz pitched two innings of relief in a losing cause, allowing four hits and an earned run while striking out five.<ref>{{cite web|title=2009 NLDS Game 3|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=291010124|website=ESPN}}</ref>

==Post-playing career==
In 2008 and 2010, Smoltz served as a [[color analyst]] alongside [[Joe Simpson (baseball)|Joe Simpson]] for Braves games on [[Peachtree TV]]. Nationally, Smoltz has been an analyst for [[MLB Network]] and called regular-season and postseason games for [[Major League Baseball on TBS|TBS]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-16 |title=Pitching days over? Smoltz hired as TBS analyst |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5000619 |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> In 2014, he was hired by [[Major League Baseball on Fox|Fox Sports]] as a game analyst. He was paired with [[Matt Vasgersian]] and called games in the No. 2 booth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/media/watchdog-1.812020/john-smoltz-joins-fox-s-mlb-roster-1.7344449|title=John Smoltz joins Fox's MLB roster|last=Best|first=Neil|newspaper=Newsday|date=March 10, 2014|access-date=March 10, 2014}}</ref> He has also joined [[Fox Sports South]] and [[SportSouth]] to be an analyst for select Braves games during the 2014 season.<ref>[http://msn.foxsports.com/south/story/fox-sports-south-sportsouth-announce-2014-braves-telecast-team-040314 FOX Sports South, SportSouth announce 2014 Atlanta Braves telecast team | FOX Sports<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Smoltz replaced [[Harold Reynolds]] and [[Tom Verducci]], his colleagues from MLB Network, as the lead analyst for ''[[Major League Baseball on Fox]]'' for the 2016 season, teaming up with [[Joe Buck]] and, later,  [[Joe Davis (sportscaster)|Joe Davis]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-john-smoltz-joe-buck-fox-baseball-20151222-story.html|title=John Smoltz to replace Tom Verducci and Harold Reynolds during Fox's baseball coverage|last=Schilken|first=Chuck|newspaper=LA Times|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2016}}</ref> In 2021, Smoltz won his first [[Sports Emmy Award]] as [[Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Event Analyst|an Event Analyst]]. Smoltz was 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/09/01/john-smoltz-al-leiter-refuse-covid-19-vaccine-mlb-network|title=Report: John Smoltz, Al Leiter to Leave MLB Network Studios After COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal|last=Shapiro|first=Michael|newspaper=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 1, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2021}}</ref>

{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = BravesRetired29.png
|Name   = John Smoltz
|Number = 29
|Team   = Atlanta Braves
|Year   = 2012
|}}
On April 16, 2012, the Braves announced that they would retire Smoltz's number 29.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120416&content_id=28823242&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|title=Braves to honor Smoltz by retiring No. 29|last=Bowman|first=Mark|date=April 16, 2012|work=MLB.com|access-date=June 9, 2012}}</ref> The ceremony, which took place before a June 8 game against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]], included speeches by former broadcaster [[Pete van Wieren]], former teammate [[Matt Diaz]] and former manager [[Bobby Cox]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/06/08/smoltz-calls-induction-a-wow-moment/ |title=Smoltz calls No. 29 retirement coolest moment of his life |last=Rogers |first=Carroll |date=June 8, 2012 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=June 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610080449/http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2012/06/08/smoltz-calls-induction-a-wow-moment/ |archive-date=June 10, 2012  }}</ref>

Smoltz was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in [[2015 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2015]].<ref>{{cite web|title=John Smoltz: A Hall Of Fame Tribute|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/johnsmoltz/hall-fame-tribute|website=ESPN|date=July 23, 2015}}</ref> He was the first starting pitcher since 1987 to be elected despite having fewer than 250 wins and only one Cy Young Award, the first such starter ever elected on the first ballot, and the first pitcher to have Tommy John surgery and be elected to the Hall.

==Personal life==
Smoltz met his first wife, Dyan Struble, at the [[Omni Hotel]] in downtown Atlanta; the couple had four children before divorcing in 2007 after 16 years of marriage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bowman |first=Mark |title=Smoltz, wife to end 16-year marriage |work=MLB.com |date=February 9, 2007 |url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070209&content_id=1799205&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212091349/http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070209&content_id=1799205&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 12, 2007}}</ref> Smoltz lives in [[Alpharetta, Georgia]] and also has a home at [[Sea Island, Georgia|Sea Island]], a golf resort. On May 16, 2009, Smoltz married Kathryn Darden at his home with 70 friends and family in attendance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/former-brave-smoltz-ties-the-knot/oDl81X1DRuLoTXCoEb6ltJ/ |title=Former Brave Smoltz ties the knot |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |last=Rogers Walton |first=Carol |date=May 21, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2022}}</ref> Smoltz is a Christian.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.cbn.com/john-smoltz-starting-and-closing |title=John Smoltz: Starting and Closing |date=December 14, 2015 |publisher=The 700 Club}}</ref>

Smoltz is a good friend of pro golfer [[Tiger Woods]]; the two often play golf together.<ref>[http://www.tigerwoods.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=115289&categoryID=505&page=fullstorynews Official Website for Tiger Woods] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061112091557/http://www.tigerwoods.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsID=115289&categoryID=505&page=fullstorynews |date=November 12, 2006 }}</ref> Woods has stated that Smoltz is the best golfer outside of the [[PGA Tour]] that he has seen.<ref>[http://sr950.com/Audio/tabid/183/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2336/Tiger-Woods-Joins-Mike-and-Mike.aspx Tiger Woods Joins Mike and Mike &gt; 950 ESPN &gt; Audio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107153939/http://sr950.com/Audio/tabid/183/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2336/Tiger-Woods-Joins-Mike-and-Mike.aspx |date=January 7, 2010 }} Relevant audio at 8:15</ref> Smoltz has stated that he once had a plus 4 [[handicap (golf)|handicap]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/123152242/mlb-players-golf-us-open-john-smoltz-livan-hernandez-chris-sabo-garry-templeton |title=Off the diamond, onto the fairway |publisher=Sports on Earth |first=Lindsay |last=Berra |date=May 10, 2015 |access-date=October 31, 2016 |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031091121/http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/123152242/mlb-players-golf-us-open-john-smoltz-livan-hernandez-chris-sabo-garry-templeton |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2018, Smoltz qualified for the [[U.S. Senior Open]], one of senior golf's major championships.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/john-smoltz-yes-that-john-smoltz-qualifies-for-us-senior-open |title=John Smoltz (Yes, THAT John Smoltz) qualifies for U.S. Senior Open |magazine=Golf Digest |first=Alex |last=Myers |date=June 1, 2018}}</ref> He is also involved in the sport of bowling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bowl.com/Downloads/pdf/usbowler/usbowlerSp08.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.bowl.com |access-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031085846/http://www.bowl.com/Downloads/pdf/usbowler/usbowlerSp08.pdf |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Smoltz plays every year in the [[American Century Championship]] at [[Lake Tahoe]]. He won the [[Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions]] in Orlando in January 2019.

Smoltz counts [[Doc Rivers]] as a personal friend dating back to Rivers' playing days in Atlanta. In the January 12, 2008, edition of the ''[[Boston Globe]]'', Rivers is quoted as saying, "I offered him my apartment... I just told him about [[Terry Francona|Terry]] (Francona) and the Red Sox organization. I told him it's a no-brainer."

Smoltz is also an accomplished [[accordion]]ist and has starred in a television commercial for [[The Home Depot]].

Smoltz is a distant cousin of fellow Baseball Hall of Famer [[Charlie Gehringer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/117409722/hall-of-famer-john-smoltz-indulges-inner-fandom-to-name-tigers-franchise-four |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827001345/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/117409722/hall-of-famer-john-smoltz-indulges-inner-fandom-to-name-tigers-franchise-four |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |title=Hall of Famer John Smoltz indulges inner fandom to name Tigers Franchise Four |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

===Politics===
Smoltz produced an automated campaign phone recording on behalf of the candidacy of [[Ralph E. Reed, Jr.]] for [[Lieutenant Governor of Georgia]] during the [[2006 Georgia statewide elections#Lieutenant governor|2006 primary]].<ref>[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=36502&SectionID=50 Not sad to see end of primary]{{dead link|date=October 2010}}</ref>

In a 2004 interview, Smoltz was quoted as comparing the legalization of gay marriage with [[bestiality]], saying "What’s next? Marrying an animal?" per the Associated Press. Smoltz later stated the article had portrayed his quote inaccurately.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The Georgia Voice Editors  |url=https://thegavoice.com/sports/mcdowell-controversy-reminiscent-of-past-atlanta-braves-anti-gay-fouls/ |title=McDowell controversy reminiscent of past Atlanta Braves anti-gay fouls |website=Thegavoice.com |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=April 6, 2020}}</ref>

It was speculated that Smoltz might run for Congress in 2010 as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidate to fill the departing [[John Linder]]'s seat in [[Georgia's 7th congressional district]].<ref>{{cite web |title=John Smoltz For Congress? |publisher=Yardbarker.com |access-date=October 19, 2010 |url=http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/John_Smoltz_for_Congress/2161567 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304171114/http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/John_Smoltz_for_Congress/2161567  }}</ref>

On April 22, 2012, Smoltz hosted a fundraiser for Andrea Cascarilla, a Democratic candidate for State Representative in Michigan's 71st House District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/280892101995592/ |title=Facebook |publisher=Facebook |access-date=April 6, 2020}}</ref> The 71st District encompasses [[Waverly Senior High School]], where Smoltz was an All-State baseball and basketball player.

===Philanthropy===
Smoltz and his good friend [[Jeff Foxworthy]] hosted the charity event "An Evening With Smoltz and Friends" on November 9, 2008, at the [[Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park|Verizon Amphitheater]] in Alpharetta to raise money for the John Smoltz Foundation, which has supported numerous charitable endeavors in the Atlanta area over the past decade.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Bowman |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081014&content_id=3619991 |title=Smoltz, Foxworthy team up for charity |work=Mlb.com |date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref>

Smoltz is the Atlanta host for Big League Impact, an eight-city [[Fantasy Football (American)|fantasy football]] network created and led by longtime [[St. Louis Cardinals|Cardinals]] pitcher and former teammate [[Adam Wainwright]]. In 2015, the organization raised more than $1 million for various charitable organizations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Iyer |first=Vinnie |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/adam-wainwright-cardinals-fantasy-football-advice-sleepers-atlanta-falcons-michael-vick/swu7di9k00821pzb9p89zf1hp |title=Adam Wainwright is a true ace — when it comes to fantasy football |work=[[Sporting News]] |date=August 5, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2016}}</ref>

Smoltz and fellow former Atlanta Braves [[first baseman]] [[Ryan Klesko]] were named in a tax dispute involving [[conservation easement]] for a 1,546-acre non-cash donation the two made on behalf of a partnership the two formed in the early 1990s.<ref name="g771">{{cite web | last=Woolley | first=John | title=Tax Court Slashes $47.6 Million Deduction Claim, Backs Penalty | website=Bloomberg Tax | date=2024-04-25 | url=https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/tax-court-slashes-47-6-million-deduction-claim-backs-penalty | access-date=2025-04-07}}</ref> On 25 April 2024, the court cleared the two of fraud charges, but reduced the assessed value of the donated easement to one-tenth of the claimed amount, and imposed a 40% penalty.<ref>[https://www.taxnotes.com/research/federal/court-documents/court-opinions-and-orders/partnership-gets-tenth-claimed-conservation-easement-deduction/7jggg Partnership Gets a Tenth of Claimed Conservation Easement Deduction] Tax Notes Research, 25 April 2024</ref><ref>[https://www.polsinelli.com/publications/tax-court-strikes-out-smoltz-and-kleskos-big-k-sce-but-provides-relief-for-those-facing-fraud-allegations Tax Court Strikes out Smoltz and Klesko’s Big K SCE, but Provides Relief for Those Facing Fraud Allegations] Polsinelli, 21 May 2024</ref>

==Accomplishments==
[[File:John Smoltz 3000 strikeouts.jpg|thumb|right|Fans at [[Turner Field]] stand and applaud after Smoltz's 3000th career strikeout on April 22, 2008.]]
*Elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] with 82.88% of the vote (January 2015)
*Eight-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] (1989, 1992–93, 1996, 2002–03, 2005, 2007)
*National League Championship Series MVP (1992)
*Led the National League in Strikeouts (1992, with 215)
*National League [[Cy Young Award]] winner (1996)
*Atlanta Braves record for most wins in a season (1996, with 24)
*Led National League in wins (1996, with 24)
*Counting his wins in the playoffs and All-Star Game, amassed 29 wins in 1996; the only higher total in the last 70 years is [[Denny McLain]], who had 32 in 1968.
*Led major leagues in strikeouts (1996, with 276)
*Led National League in winning percentage (1996)
*[[Silver Slugger Award]] winner for pitcher (1997)
*Finished 4th in National League Cy Young Award voting (1998)
*Led major leagues in winning percentage (1998)
*National League [[Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award]] winner (2002)
*Finished 8th in National League MVP voting (2002)
*Finished 3rd in National League Cy Young Award voting (2002)
*Second in Braves history for saves in a career (154)
*Braves record for most saves in a season (2002, with 55)
*Led National League in saves (2002, with 55)
*Tied for National League lead in wins (2006, with 16)
*Only pitcher to compile 200 wins and 150 saves
*Holds Braves record for most strikeouts in a career (3,011)
*Given the [[Branch Rickey Award]] for exceptional community service (2007)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-25 |title=Smoltz wins Branch Rickey humanitarian award |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3035785&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>
*First pitcher in modern era (since 1900) to pitch exactly five shutout innings, strike out ten, and get the win (April 17, 2008, in the Braves' 8–0 win at Florida)<ref>{{cite web|author=SluggerWV |url=http://sluggerwv.blogspot.com/2008/04/big-night-for-chipper-smoltz-and-braves.html |title=Slugger's Tales from the Rails: Big night for Chipper, Smoltz, and the Braves |publisher=Sluggerwv.blogspot.com |date=April 18, 2008 |access-date=October 19, 2010}}</ref>
*16th pitcher in the major leagues to reach 3,000 strikeouts (April 22, 2008)
*Holds Cardinals record for most consecutive strikeouts (7) in a single game (August 23, 2009)
*Only major league pitcher with more than one postseason stolen base (3)
*Awarded [[Roberto Clemente Award]] (2005)

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
*[[List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Baseball Hall of Fame profile|smoltz-john}}
*{{baseballstats|mlb=122477|espn=2077|br=s/smoltjo01|fangraphs=115|brm=smoltz001joh|retro=S/Psmolj001}}
*{{Sabrbio|bf321b07}}
*[https://www.mlb.com/network/personalities?id=41537574 John Smoltz] at MLB Network Bio
:

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| before = [[Harold Reynolds]] and [[Tom Verducci]]
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| after = Incumbent
}}
{{s-end}}

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