 Smoltz, with the Braves in June 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves — No. 29 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: May 15, 1967 Warren, Michigan | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| July 23, 1988 for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through June 2, 2008) | |
| Win-Loss | 210-147 |
| Saves | 154 |
| Earned run average | 3. In Baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the Pitcher's mound toward the Catcher to begin each play with the goal of Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Warren is a city in Macomb County in the US state of Michigan. Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. Events 1632 - Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe France. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) A win is a Statistic in Major League Baseball credited to the Pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when his team last took the lead In Baseball, a save (abbreviated SV or S) is credited to a Pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances In Baseball statistics, earned run average ( ERA) is the Mean of Earned runs given up by a Pitcher per nine Innings pitched 26 |
| Strikeouts | 3,011 |
| Teams | |
| |
| Highlights and awards | |
John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967 in Warren, Michigan) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. In Baseball or Softball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by SO or K) occurs when a batter receives three strikes See also 1988 Major League Baseball season Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants (4-0 Dave Stewart, Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Atlanta Braves (4-2 Pat Borders, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor, Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: Headline event of the year The Florida Marlins become World Series champions holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team 4 games to 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Minor League Baseball For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians (4-2 Tom Glavine, MVP The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball A win is a Statistic in Major League Baseball credited to the Pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when his team last took the lead Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball In Baseball, a save (abbreviated SV or S) is credited to a Pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball In Baseball, innings pitched (IP are the number of Innings a Pitcher has completed measured by the number of batters and Baserunners Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians (4-3 Liván Hernández, The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball In Baseball or Softball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by SO or K) occurs when a batter receives three strikes Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Atlanta Braves (4-2 Pat Borders, MVP Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Warren is a city in Macomb County in the US state of Michigan. Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. In Baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the Pitcher's mound toward the Catcher to begin each play with the goal of He is predominantly known as a starter and former Cy Young Award winner. In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National However, before the 2001 season, his 13th, he became a closer. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: In Baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer (abbreviated CL) is a Relief pitcher who specializes in closing out In 2002 he became only the second pitcher in history to have had both a 20-win season and a 50-save season (the other being Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley). Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: Dennis Lee Eckersley (born October 3 1954 nicknamed "Eck" is a former American Major League Baseball player He is the only pitcher in Major League history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves. He became the 16th member of the 3,000 strikeout club on April 22, 2008 when he fanned Felipe Lopez of the Washington Nationals in the third inning in Atlanta. In Major League Baseball, the 3000 strikeout club is an informal term applied to the group of Pitchers who have struck out 3000 or more batters in their Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Calendar Major League Baseball See also 2008 Major League Baseball season Postseason October 1 – ALDS and Felipe López (born May 12, in Bayamón Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball Second base / Shortstop who The Washington Nationals is an American professional baseball team based in Washington D
Smoltz throws a four-seam fastball that has been clocked as high as 98 miles per hour, a strong, effective slider, and an 88-91 mph split-finger fastball that he uses as a strikeout pitch. For the American band of the same name see Fastball (band. For the game also known as fast-pitch softball see Softball. In Baseball, a slider is a pitch halfway between a Curveball and a Fastball. A split-finger fastball or splitter is a pitch in Baseball and a variant of the straight Fastball. In Baseball or Softball, a strikeout or strike out (denoted by SO or K) occurs when a batter receives three strikes He also mixes in a curveball and change-up on occasion, and in 1999, he began experimenting with both a knuckleball and a three-quarters delivery, though he rarely uses either in game situations today. The curveball is a breaking pitch in Baseball thrown with a grip and hand movement that imparts down and/or sideways spin to the ball. A changeup is a type of pitch in Baseball. Other names include change-of-pace and simply change. [1]
Contents |
Minor Leagues and trade to Atlanta
John Smoltz was an All-State baseball and basketball player at Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan before the Detroit Tigers drafted him in the 22nd round of the 1985 amateur draft. Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m Waverly Senior High School or known just as Waverly High School is located in Waverly Michigan, an unincorporated community in Delta Township. The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Kansas City Royals over St [2] He was the 574th selection of the draft. [3]
Smoltz played first for the Lakeland Flying Tigers minor league team and then moved on to the Glens Falls Tigers in 1987. The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a Minor league baseball team based in Lakeland Florida. The Glens Falls Tigers were an American Minor league baseball team from Glens Falls New York that played in the Eastern League from 1985 until [4] On August 12, 1987, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Minnesota Twins over St The 1987 Tigers were in a three-team race, chasing the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL East division lead. The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The American League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions In need of pitching help, Detroit sent their 20-year-old prospect to the Braves for the 36-year-old veteran Doyle Alexander. Doyle Lafayette Alexander (born September 4, 1950, Cordova Alabama) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the The trade initially worked to perfection. Alexander posted a 9-0 record with a 1. 53 ERA down the stretch, as Detroit overtook Toronto and narrowly won the division. However, the Tigers were beaten easily by the Minnesota Twins in the playoffs. The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Alexander remained with Detroit, winning 20 games in two years before retiring. The Tigers did not reappear in the postseason until 2006.
On the other side of the trade, Smoltz developed into a pitching stalwart for a 14-time division winning team. Atlanta won five NL pennants, including the franchise's first championship in 38 years. The 1995 World Series matched the Atlanta Braves against the Cleveland Indians, with the Braves winning in six games to capture its third World Championship in
Career
Early years
Smoltz made his Major League debut on July 23, 1988. Events 1632 - Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe France. See also 1988 Major League Baseball season Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers He posted poor statistics in a dozen starts, but in 1989, Smoltz blossomed. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Oakland Athletics over San Francisco Giants (4-0 Dave Stewart, In 29 starts, he recorded a 12-11 record and 2. 94 ERA while pitching 208 innings and making the All-Star team. Teammate Tom Glavine also had his first good year in 1989, raising optimism about the future of Atlanta's pitching staff. Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher
Smoltz began the 1991 season with a 2-11 record. He began seeing a sports psychologist, after which he closed out the season on a 12-2 pace,[5] helping the Braves win a tight NL West race. Sport psychology (or sports psychology) is the study of a people's behaviour in sport His winning ways continued into the 1991 National League Championship Series. The 1991 National League Championship Series was played between the Atlanta Braves (94-68 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (98-64 with the Braves coming out Smoltz won both his starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates, capped by a complete game shutout in the seventh game, propelling the Braves to their first World Series since moving to Atlanta in 1966. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Smoltz had two no-decisions against the Minnesota Twins, with a 1. The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 26 ERA. In the seventh and deciding game, he faced his former Detroit Tiger hero, Jack Morris. John Scott "Jack" Morris (born May 16, 1955, in St Paul Minnesota) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed Starting pitcher Both starters pitched shutout ball for seven innings, before Smoltz was removed from the 0-0 game in the eighth. Morris had eventually pitched a 10-inning complete game victory.
The next year, Smoltz won fifteen regular season games and was the MVP of the 1992 National League Championship Series, winning two games. The 1992 National League Championship Series was played between the Atlanta Braves (98-64 and the Pittsburgh Pirates (96-66 from October 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 World Series that year, Smoltz started two of the six games in the series, with a no-decision in Game Two and a win with the Braves facing elimination in Game 5.
Before the 1993 season, the Braves signed renowned control pitcher Greg Maddux, completing what many consider to be the most accomplished starting trio ever assembled on a single Major League team. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Toronto Blue Jays over Philadelphia Phillies (4-2 Paul Molitor, Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Smoltz again won fifteen, but suffered his first postseason loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS despite a 0. The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The National League Championship Series was played between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. 00 ERA.
Smoltz had a 6-10 record in the strike-shortened 1994 season, and during the break, had bone chips removed from his elbow. Headline events of the year As a result of a players' strike the MLB season ends prematurely on August 11, 1994. Returning as the Braves' #3 starter, he posted a 12-7 record in 1995. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians (4-2 Tom Glavine, MVP Smoltz had shaky postseason numbers, avoiding a decision despite a 6. 60 ERA. But Smoltz and the Braves won their only World Series, thanks in great part to Maddux and Glavine, who had begun to overshadow Smoltz. For other events named "World Series" see World Series (disambiguation.
The following season, 1996, was Smoltz's best year as a professional. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2 John Wetteland, MVP He went 24-8 with a 2. 94 ERA and 276 strikeouts, including winning a franchise record fourteen straight decisions. He won the National League Cy Young with 26 of the 28 first-place votes. In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National Smoltz's effectiveness in 1997 was only slightly less than his Cy Young season, but frugal run support limited him to a 15-12 record. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians (4-3 Liván Hernández, Smoltz was also awarded a Silver Slugger Award for his batting. The
Injuries and move to the bullpen
Smoltz continued to post excellent statistics in 1998 and 1999, but he was spending significant time on the disabled list and missed about a fourth of his starts. Headline events of the year Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-0 Mariano Rivera, MVP In 1999, Smoltz began experimenting with both a knuckleball and a three-quarters delivery, though he rarely uses either in game situations today. [6]
He underwent Tommy John surgery prior to the 2000 season, missing the entire year. Tommy John surgery known by doctors as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL) is a surgical procedure in which a Ligament in the Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: When he was unable to perform effectively as a starter in 2001, Smoltz made a transition to the bullpen, filling a void as Atlanta's closer down the stretch. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series:
In 2002, his first full season as a closer, Smoltz broke the National League saves record with 55 saves (the previous record was 53; Éric Gagné would equal Smoltz's new record a year later). Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball Éric Serge Gagné ( IPA:) (born January 7 1976 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is a Relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers Smoltz finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National Injuries limited Smoltz slightly in 2003, but he still recorded 45 saves with a 1. Headline event of the year The Florida Marlins become World Series champions holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team 4 games to 12 ERA in 64. 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. Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino.
By this point, Smoltz was all that remained of the once-dominant Atlanta Braves' rotation of the 1990s. Tom Glavine had moved on to play for the New York Mets, a divisional rival, while Greg Maddux returned to his old team, the Chicago Cubs. Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher "Mets" redirects here For the medical term see Metastasis. Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Chicago Cubs are a Professional Baseball franchise based in Chicago, Illinois.
Return to the rotation
After three years as one of baseball's most dominating closers, the team's management agreed to return Smoltz to the starting rotation prior to the 2005 season. 2005 Major League Baseball season Headline events of the year Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the World Series
Smoltz's renewed career as a starter began inauspiciously. He allowed six earned runs in only 1 2/3 innings--matching the shortest starts of his career--as the Braves were blown out on Opening Day by the Florida Marlins. The Florida Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami Gardens Florida. 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 received the loss. Miguel Odalis Tejada (born Miguel Odalis Tejeda on May 25 1974 For his career, he is 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 with 169 strikeouts while allowing less than one hit per inning. Smoltz had answered the critics who doubted 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 towards 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 Two of the 2005 NLDS. The Houston Astros are a Professional baseball team based in Houston Texas. The National League Division Series ( NLDS) the opening round of the 2005 National League playoffs began on Tuesday October 4, and ended on It was the only game the Braves would manage to win in the series against the eventual National League champions. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League ( NL) is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball The victory over Houston gave Smoltz a 13-4 record as a starter (15-4 overall) with a 2. 65 ERA in the postseason. He currently has more career postseason wins than any other player in history. He is followed by Andy Pettitte (14), Tom Glavine (14), and Greg Maddux (11). Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 2006, Smoltz finished the season with a record of 16-9, an earned run average of 3. 2006 Major League Baseball season|2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season Headline Event of the Year The 2006 World Baseball Classic is a surprise success 49, and 211 strikeouts. He was tied for the National League lead in wins, and was third in strikeouts. The fact that the Braves bullpen blew six of Smoltz's leads in 2006 robbed him of a strong chance at a 20-win season.
On September 21, 2006, the Braves announced they had picked up Smoltz's $8 million contract option for the 2007 season. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Minor League Baseball On April 26, 2007 Smoltz agreed to a contract extension with the Braves. Events 1467 - The miraculous image in Our Lady of Good Counsel appear in Genazzano, Italy. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The extension includes a $14 million salary for the 2008 season, a $12 million vesting option for 2009 dependent on Smoltz's ability to pitch 200 innings in 2008, and a $12 or $13 million team option for 2010 dependent on Smoltz's ability to pitch 200 innings in 2009. [7]
2007 was a year of reunions and milestones for Smoltz. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. On May 9, he faced Greg Maddux for the first time since July 10, 1992. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Gregory Alan Maddux (born April 14, 1966 in San Angelo Texas) is a Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Smoltz earned a win in a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres; Maddux received a no-decision. The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego California since their founding in 1969 On May 24, exactly eleven years to the day after recording his 100th win, Smoltz recorded his 200th win against Tom Glavine. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966 in Concord Massachusetts) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher [8] He faced Glavine 3 other times faring 3-1 overall against him. On June 27, Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux all recorded wins on the same day. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden On August 19, 2007, Smoltz set the new Atlanta Braves strikeout record by striking out Arizona Diamondbacks' Mark Reynolds. Events 43 BC - Octavian, later known as Augustus compels the Roman Senate to elect him Consul. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Arizona Diamondbacks (also referred to as the D-backs) are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix Arizona. Mark Andrew Reynolds (born August 3, 1983 in Pikeville Kentucky) is a current Third baseman in Major League Baseball who plays It was his 2,913th strikeout and he passed Phil Niekro on the Braves all-time list; striking out a season-high 12 in the game. Philip Henry Niekro (born April 1, in Blaine Ohio) is a former Pitcher in Major League Baseball and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame [9] 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. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
On April 22, 2008, Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts. In Major League Baseball, the 3000 strikeout club is an informal term applied to the group of Pitchers who have struck out 3000 or more batters in their He is one of four pitchers to strike out 3,000 batters for one team, joining Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton. Walter Perry Johnson ( November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946) nicknamed "The Big Train" was an American right-handed Pack Robert "Bob" Gibson (born November 9, 1935 in Omaha Nebraska) is a former right-handed Baseball Pitcher for the Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami Florida) is a former left-handed Pitcher in Major League Baseball, from to
On April 28, 2008, Smoltz was placed on the 15 day disabled list due to an inflamed right shoulder. In Major League Baseball, the disabled list (DL is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players [10]
Return to relief
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. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that John Smoltz will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. [11]
Personal life
Smoltz met his wife at the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Smoltz is a born-again Christian who has made Atlanta his home, and is Chairman of the Board at Alpharetta-based King's Ridge Christian School,[1] and a member of the Presbyterian Church in America. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA is a Protestant denomination, the second largest Presbyterian church body in the United States He also has a home at Sea Island, a golf resort on the Georgia coast. Smoltz produced an automated campaign phone recording on behalf of the candidacy of Ralph E. Reed, Jr. for Lt. Ralph Eugene Reed Jr, (born June 24, 1961) is a conservative American political activist best known as the first executive director of Governor of Georgia during the 2006 primary (Post) As a father of four children, he dedicated himself to the development of a new Christian school in the metropolitan Atlanta region. On February 9, 2007, Smoltz's agent, Lonnie Cooper, released a statement informing the public of the decision by Smoltz and his wife Dyan to divorce after 16 years of marriage. Events 474 - Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [12] Smoltz is a good friend of professional golfer Tiger Woods. Background and family Woods was born in Cypress, California to Earl (1932-2006 and Kultida (Tida Woods The two often golf together. [13]
Accomplishments
- Eight-time 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)
- Holds Braves record for most wins in a season (1996, with 24)
- Led the National League in wins (1996, with 24)
- Counting his wins in the playoffs and All-Star Game, John Smoltz amassed 29 wins in 1996. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also popularly known as the "Midsummer Classic" is an annual Baseball game between players from the National League In Baseball, the Cy Young Award is an honor given annually to the best Pitcher in Major League Baseball (one each for American and National The only higher such total in the last 70 years is Denny McLain who had 31 in 1968. Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain (born March 29, 1944, in Chicago Illinois) is a former American professional Baseball player
Photo by Chris Nelson
- Holds Braves record for most strikeouts in a season (1996, with 276)
- Led the Major Leagues in strikeouts (1996, with 276)
- Led the National League in win percentage (1996)
- Silver Slugger Award Winner for Pitcher (1997)
- Finished 4th in National League Cy Young Award voting (1998)
- Led the Major Leagues in Win 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)
- Holds Braves record for most saves in a career (154)
- Holds Braves record for most saves in a season (2002, with 55)
- Led the Major Leagues 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)[14]
- 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)[15]
- 3,000 strikeouts (April 22, 2008)
See also
- 3000 strikeout club
- Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all time
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
- List of Major League Baseball wins champions
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
References
- ^ Neyer, Rob and Bill James, The Neyer-James Guide to Pitchers. In Major League Baseball, the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award, first awarded in, is a distinction given to the top Relief pitcher in each league at the end of The Branch Rickey Award is given annually to a Major League Baseball player in recognition of their exceptional community service In Major League Baseball, the 3000 strikeout club is an informal term applied to the group of Pitchers who have struck out 3000 or more batters in their In Baseball, a Strikeout occurs when the batter receives three strikes during his time At bat. This is a list of the top 500 Major League Baseball winningest pitchers. This is a list of the top 300 Major League Baseball leaders in career saves. Major League Baseball recognizes Strikeout champions in the American League and National League each season The following is a list of Major League Baseball wins champions. Major League Baseball recognizes saves champions in the American League and National League each season Rob Neyer (born 1966 is a Baseball author and since 1996 a columnist for ESPN George William “Bill” James (born October 5, 1949, in Holton Kansas) is a Baseball writer historian and statistician whose work has been New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004. Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L ISBN 0743261585
- ^ Porter, David L. 2000. “John Smoltz" In The Biographical Dictionary of American Sports, 1440-1441. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group
- ^ http://www.mymlbdraft.com/1985/round22/
- ^ Porter, David L. 2000. “John Smoltz" In The Biographical Dictionary of American Sports, 1440-1441. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.
- ^ http://editor.slate.com/default.aspx/id/2146635
- ^ Neyer, Rob and Bill James, The Neyer-James Guide to Pichers. Rob Neyer (born 1966 is a Baseball author and since 1996 a columnist for ESPN George William “Bill” James (born October 5, 1949, in Holton Kansas) is a Baseball writer historian and statistician whose work has been New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004. Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L ISBN 0743261585
- ^ Bowman, Mark (April 26, 2007), “Braves give Smoltz an extension: Veteran almost certain to finish legendary career in Atlanta”, MLB. com, <http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070426&content_id=1932258&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb>
- ^ The Official Site of The Atlanta Braves: News: Game Wrapup
- ^ The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News
- ^ The Associated Press (April 30, 2008), “Smoltz Put on Disabled List With Sore Right Shoulder”, New York Times, <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/sports/baseball/30braves.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss>
- ^ http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/06/04/smoltz_0605.html
- ^ Bowman, Mark (February 9, 2007), “Smoltz, wife to end 16-year marriage”, MLB. com, <http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070209&content_id=1799205&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl>
- ^ Official Website for Tiger Woods
- ^ ESPN - Smoltz wins Branch Rickey Award - MLB
- ^ http://sluggerwv.blogspot.com/2008/04/big-night-for-chipper-smoltz-and-braves.html
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by David Cone Hideo Nomo | National League Strikeout Champion 1992 1996 | Succeeded by Jose Rijo Curt Schilling |
| Preceded by Steve Avery | National League Championship Series MVP 1992 | Succeeded by Curt Schilling |
| Preceded by Greg Maddux Dontrelle Willis | National League Wins Champion 1996 2006 (with Harang, Lowe, Penny, Webb & Zambrano) | Succeeded by Denny Neagle Jake Peavy |
| Preceded by Greg Maddux | National League Cy Young Award 1996 | Succeeded by Pedro Martínez |
| Preceded by Robb Nen | National League Saves Champion 2002 | Succeeded by Éric Gagné |
| Preceded by Armando Benitez | National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year 2002 | Succeeded by Éric Gagné |
| Preceded by Jim Thome | Lou Gehrig Memorial Award 2005 | Succeeded by Trevor Hoffman |
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