Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame Newcomer John Smoltz Five Memorable Moment
Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; MLB former players Mike Piazza (left) talks with John Smoltz (right) during the MLB legends and celebrity softball game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday, July 26, Atlanta Braves great John Smoltz will have his plaque in the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. revealed. Smoltz will be joined by Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Craig Biggio for the 2015 class. The MLB HOF now has 310 members elected to the elite group.
Smoltz is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and now joins his former Braves teammates Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux as well as the skipper Bobby Cox in the Hall.
The “Big Three” of Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine led the Braves to 14 consecutive divisional titles from 1991 to 2005. Smoltz however was the only Braves player to be a part of all 14 seasons. Smoltz was a terrific starting pitcher, but he turned it on when the playoffs started. He compiled a 15-4 record in the postseason with a 2.67 ERA and a record 199 strikeouts. He also pitched in five World Series games and had a 2-2 record and a 2.47 ERA.
In his career, Smoltz had 213 wins and 154 saves…the ONLY player in big league history to accomplish this feat of over 200 wins and 150 saves. If arm injuries didn’t plague his career, he could have been one of the best pitchers ever in Major League Baseball.
Let’s look back at five memorable moments from Smoltz’s fabulous career…
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Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Game 3 of 1991 NLCS: Smoltz Steals Second
With one out in the bottom of the 6th inning, Smoltz singled off Bob Kipper. Then after Lonnie Smith lined out to the shortstop, Terry Pendleton was up for the Braves. On the second pitch of Pendleton’s at-bat, Smoltz decided to take off for second base.
The first baseman wasn’t holding Smoltz on and he got a great leadoff of first base. Kipper looked like he was barely paying any attention to Smoltz and he took off.
Mike LaValliere tried throwing Smoltz out, but was unsuccessful. BUT, three pitches later, Smoltz was picked off at second.
In his 21 year career, Smoltz had six steals and three in the post-season. What’s the most shocking is that Kipper was a lefty.
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Mar 12, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher
Scott Baker(27) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Game 5 of the 1996 World Series: Smoltz strikes out 10 hitters
With the 1996 World Series tied at 2-2, the Braves sent Smoltz to the mound and the New York Yankees pitched Andy Pettitte.
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Both pitchers threw a hell of a ball game on this night, but one team had to come out victorious. The game ended with both teams scoring a combined one run. That single run came in the top of the fourth inning.
Charlie Hayes hit a deep fly ball to centerfield. Braves centerfielder Marquis Grissom and right fielder Jermaine Dye were both going for the ball and they both distracted each other and the ball fell to the ground. This perhaps was the most costly error in World Series history since Bill Buckner missed a ground ball.
“I couldn’t hear him,” Grissom said after the game. “He couldn’t hear me. You couldn’t hear anything, the crowd was screaming so loud.”
After the error, Cecil Fielder then doubled in Hayes to score the only run of the game.
Smoltz pitched eight complete innings, allowing that unearned run, four hits, three walks and had 10 strikeouts. It was an outstanding performance by Smoltz, but he got the loss.
Braves went down 3-2 in the series and then lost game six to lose the World Series.
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Dec 8, 2014; San Deigo, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves former pitcher John Smoltz (left) during MLB Winter Meetings at Manchester Grand Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2007: Smoltz picks up his 200th victory
Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to have recorded over 200 wins and 150 saves during their career. Smoltz finished his career with 213 wins and 154 saves….210 wins with the Braves and all saves with Atlanta.
On this night, Smoltz picked up his 200th win against the New York Mets and joined Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine in the 200 win column. All three pitchers accomplished this feat in Atlanta at Turner Field.
Something that is ironic about this night – the Mets had Glavine on the mound for them.
Smoltz pitched seven innings, giving up seven hits, zero runs, zero walks and five strikeouts.
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Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Game 7 of the 1991 NLCS: Smoltz throws a shutout
On the way from worst to first…well, second.
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In 1990 the Atlanta Braves were 65-97 and were the worst team in the league. In 1991, the Braves turned it around and went 94-68. This was the third best record in the MLB and the Braves were able to get to the World Series…eventually lost to the Minnesota Twins.
To get to the World Series, the Braves had to get through the best team in the league, the Pittsburg Pirates. This series was a battle and came down to game 7. The Braves gave the ball to Smoltz while the Pirates gave it to John Smiley.
Smiley won a league best 20 games in 1991, made the All-Star game and was the NL Cy Young winner…but he gave up three runs in the first inning and wasn’t able to get out of the inning.
Smoltz however went 14-13 in 1991 with a 3.80 ERA as a 24-year-old. With a 3-0, Smoltz never gave Pittsburg a chance. He pitched a complete game, giving up six hits, one walk and had eight strikeouts. The Braves won 4-0 and went on to the World Series.
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Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Broadcasting humor: Smoltz in the booth, seems to have passed gas
Since his playing days, Smoltz has become a very solid MLB broadcaster. He has worked for MLB Network, TBS, Peachtree TV and Fox Sports since 2008.
On this night during the pre-game show, Smoltz looks like he passes gas while on live TV. Watch this clip without any sound at first. The facial expressions of Ernie Johnson Jr and Ron Darling are priceless.
Though, I believe Smoltz makes these expressions because they are talking about the Yankees in 1996, it’s still great to watch this clip.