PHOTOS: Braves Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz turns 53
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John Smoltz posted double-digit wins in 10 of his first 11 seasons as a starter. His career highlight was a 24-8 mark that earned him the 1996 NL Cy Young Award.
Hitting does not make a pitcher, but John Smoltz takes pride in his 5 career home runs.
Schuerholz (left) and Braves president Stan Kasten (right) sign John Smoltz to a new deal in 1996. (Jonathan Newton/Staff)
OCTOBER 24, 1995: Braves' John Smoltz pitches during Game Three of the 1995 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. DAVID TULIS/AJC STAFF
John Smoltz
John Smoltz speaks during his uniform number retirement in a pre-game ceremony before Atlanta Braves home game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Turner Field in Atlanta on Friday, May 8, 2012. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
John Smoltz pitches for the Atlanta Braves as they played against the San Diego Padres in 1989.
Atlanta Braves pitching coach Bruce Dal Canton watches John Smoltz warming up in the bullpen before a start in 1989.
Former Braves star John Smoltz launches from No. 12 tee during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open.
Greg Maddux ceremony Greg Maddux gives Andruw Jones a friendly fist pump to the chest as he takes the field with Tom Glavine and John Smoltz for the Braves final game at Turner Field on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton /ccompton@ajc.com (ccompton@ajc.com/Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.co)
John Smoltz, the final pitcher of the Braves' Big Three, will first be eligible in 2015. He had a 213-155 record, 154 saves, a 3.33 career ERA and 3,084 strikeouts but might not be a first-ballot inductee because of the three seasons he spent as a closer.
John Smoltz posted a Braves franchise-record 55 saves in his first full season as the Atlanta closer in 2002.
John Smoltz was an eight-time All-Star who finished his 20-year career with a record of 213-155, 154 saves and a 3.33 ERA in 3,473 innings pitched.
John Smoltz is the only pitcher in major league history with at least 200 wins and 150 saves.
John Smoltz amassed an impressive resume over 21 years. His versatility - as a starter and closer - got him elected to baseball's Hall of Fame, a year after former Braves manager Bobby Cox and longtime teammates Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were inducted into Cooperstown.
John Smoltz is one of 16 pitchers in baseball - 11 of which are in the Hall of Fame - to record more than 3,000 strikeouts (3,084).
Newly-inducted National Baseball Hall of Famers from left to right, Craig Biggio, John Smoltz, Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez hold their plaques after an induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on Sunday, July 26, 2015, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
In the postseason, John Smoltz trails only Andy Pettitte for most playoff and World Series wins. He wen 15-4 with 199 strikouts and a 2.67 ERA in 209 postseason innings pitched.
Braves legends John Smoltz and Chipper Jones cut the ribbon on the northeast gate before the first regular season home opener at Turner Field on Friday, April 4, 1997.
