JOHN SMOLTZ – CLOSER
John Smoltz owns one of the best two-act careers on baseball history.
As a starter, he was one of the early cogs in a pitching machine that owned the 1990s. A waiver deal with the Detroit Tigers in 1987 sent Smoltz to Atlanta for Doyle Alexander. Although Alexander pitched Detroit into the playoffs, Smoltz guided the Braves to 13 trips.
The 1992 NLCS MVP, Smoltz posted a 15-4 playoff record with an ERA of 2.67 and four saves. In 1996, his 24-8 season with 276 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.94 earned him a Cy Young. The best part of his story, however, comes after an injury that sank his 2000 season.
When he returned in 2001, Smoltz transitioned to the bullpen. By 2002, he was the best closer in the NL, saving 55 games and finishing third in the Cy Young voting. In all for Atlanta, he saved 154 games before coming back to the starting rotation in 2005. Not even the great Dennis Eckersley could make that conversion.
Whatever role Bobby Cox wanted from Smoltz, he delivered. One of the finest starting pitchers in the long history of the Braves, in his three years as the closer he became their finest reliever ever. An eight-time All-Star, his presence led the Braves to five World Series trips. Never getting all the headlines, he may be the best third starter in Braves history.
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