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SMOLTZ, JOHN


Nickname:	N/A	Position:	Analyst
Home:	Duluth, Georgia	Team:	MLB Network and TBS
Height:	6' 3"	Bats:	R
Weight:	220	Throws:	R
DOB:	5/15/1967	Agent:	Lonnie Cooper
Birth City:	Warren, Michigan	Draft:	Tigers #22 - 1985 - Out of Lansing H.S. (Mich.)
Uniform #:	N/A		Tigers #22 - 1985 - Out of Lansing H.S. (Mich.)

YR	LEA	TEAM	SAL(K)	G	IP	H	SO	BB	GS	CG	SHO	SV	W	L	OBA	ERA
1988	IL	RICHMOND		20	135	118	115	37	20	3	-1	0	10	5		2.79
1988	NL	BRAVES	$62.00	12	64	74	37	33	12	0	0	0	2	7		5.48
1989	NL	BRAVES	$86.00	29	208	160	168	72	29	5	0	0	12	11		2.94
1990	NL	BRAVS	$210.00	34	231	206	170	90	34	6	2	0	14	11		3.85
1991	NL	BRAVES	$355.00	36	230	206	148	77	36	5	0	0	14	13		3.80
1992	NL	BRAVES	$1,525.00	35	247	206	215	80	35	9	3	0	15	12		2.85
1993	NL	BRAVES	$2,500.00	35	244	208	208	100	35	3	1	0	15	11		3.62
1994	NL	BRAVES	$3,250.00	21	135	120	113	48	21	1	0	0	6	10		4.14
1995	NL	BRAVES	$4,894.00	29	193	166	193	72	29	2	1	0	12	7		3.18
1996	NL	BRAVES	$5,500.00	35	254	199	276	55	35	6	2	0	24	8		2.94
1997	NL	BRAVES	$7,000.00	35	256	234	241	63	35	7	2	0	15	12		3.02
1998	NL	BRAVES	$7,750.00	26	168	145	173	44	26	2	2	0	17	3		2.90
1999	NL	BRAVES	$7,750.00	29	186	168	156	40	29	1	1	0	11	8		3.19
2000	NL	BRAVES-D.L.	$7,750.00
2001	NL	BRAVES		36	59	53	57	10	5	0	0	10	3	3		3.36
2002	NL	BRAVES	$10,000.00	75	80	59	85	24	0	0	0	55	3	2		3.25
2003	NL	BRAVES	$10,667.00	62	64	48	73	8	0	0	0	45	0	2		1.12
2004	NL	BRAVES	$11,667.00	73	82	75	85	13	0	0	0	44	0	1		2.76
2005	NL	BRAVES	$12,000.00	33	230	210	169	53	33	3	1	0	14	7		3.06
2006	NL	BRAVES	$11,000.00	35	232	221	211	55	35	3	1	0	16	9	0.251	3.49
2007	NL	BRAVES	$8,000.00	32	205.2	196	197	47	32	0	0	0	14	8	0.249	3.11
2008	SL	MISSISSIPPI		1	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0.00
2008	SAL	ROME		2	3	1	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		0.00
2008	AL	BRAVES	$14,000.00	6	28	25	36	8	5	0	0	0	3	2	0.229	2.57
2009	NL	RED SOX	$5,500.00	8	40	59	33	9	8	0	0	0	2	5	0.343	8.33
2009	NL	CARDINALS		7	38	36	40	9	7	0	0	0	1	3	0.248	4.26
2009	SAL	GREENVILLE		2	8	5	8	0	2	0	0	0	0	0		1.13
2009	EL	PORTLAND		1	3.1	3	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		2.70
2009	IL	PAWTUCKET		3	16	10	11	4	3	1	0	0	1	1		3.38

PERSONAL:
John grew up the son of a musician who played accordian and later owned a couple of music stores before working at Chrysler. "I rarely saw him because he was always working," Smoltz said of his Dad. "But he never missed a game of mine."	John turned down a scholarship offer to Michigan State to sign with the Tigers. Smoltz had grown up a Tiger fan. He was All-State in high school baseball. Has some baseball ties. His grandfather (also John Smoltz) was a long-time groundskeeper at Tiger Stadium. Through that connection, Smoltz's father (another John Smoltz) played accordian as entertainment at the Tigers' party to celebrate their 1968 World Series victory. And in 1984, John took a chunk of the Tiger Stadium infield and transplanted it in his front yard. In the backyard sat a three-foot ceramic statue of a Bengal tiger.

John is nicknamed "Marmaduke" for his gangly build and gregarious nature. "He's just like a big dog," said former Brave teammate Joe Boever in 1989. "You tell him, 'No, no, no' and he goes ahead and does something anyway. But you have to laugh."	He's an excellent miniature golfer. He's also a gadget master and hyperactive foil for clubhouse pranks. As a rookie in 1988, John's teammates "told me to call a 'Mr. Bear' for an interview. The number they gave me to dial was the San Diego Zoo," John said.

Legend: In spring 1990, John had burns on his chest that he suffered from ironing his dress shirt WHILE he was WEARING it! But in 2008, Smoltz revealed that was not really true -- not at all. The real story, he says, is he was ironing a shirt -- off his body -- and got sprayed with hot steam. A reporter overhearing the story completely misinterpreted it and ran it straight into urban legend.	John is the youngest Brave ever selected to the NL All Star squad, being named to the team in 1989. He missed the last month of 1989 with a tired arm. In 1991, Smoltz grew apprehensive after reading a Sports Illustrated article suggesting he might blow out his arm because of pitching so many innings before he turned 25. So John turned to Philadelphia-based therapist Chris Verna who devised a rigorous stretching program which makes Smoltz more flexible. The stretching session takes 45 minutes and concentrates on the hips, lower back, and legs. The first couple of times, it hurts a lot -- just ungodly, excruciating pain. But it increases flexibility and keeps John's arm looser when he pitches.

In July 1991, a struggling Smoltz began meeting with a sports psychologist at the advice of Braves GM John Schuerholz. "He worked with me on my mental approach and it helped," Smoltz said at the time. "He gave me positive reinforcement and some little drills you can work within yourself." The psychologist, Jack Llewellyn, of suburban Atlanta, had been working with baseball players since 1976, mostly in the minor leagues. He said John was a classic case of a pitcher trying not to lose instead of pitching to win. "When we sat down for the first time, I had one goal in mind," Llewellyn said. "That was to try to help him clear his mind so he could pack it with some positive things. He was very receptive. What we were trying to do was get him back mentally so he could show the physical talent he's always had."	John and wife Diane celebrated the birth of their son, John Andrew, Jr. November 20, 1991. He was their first child. Their second child, daughter Rachel Elizabeth, was born November 1, 1993. A third child was born. And Diane gave birth to their fourth child, a daughter, Kelly Christina, September 1, 1999.

John collects baseball cards. His favorite TV shows are "Three's Company" and "Gilligan's Island." Occasionally, John sends the clubhouse boy up to the concession stand to get him fries, pizza, and sometimes an Italian sausage. Smoltz struck out 15 Expos May 24, 1992, tying the Braves' record for a 9-inning game. It stood as the highest total in the NL for 1992.	In June 1992, John put together 29 consecutive scoreless innings, also tops in the NL for the 1992 season. John says that he is interested in being, "the best baseball player and family man and golfer that I can be -- not necessarily in that order." John can practice his golf game 24 hours a day. He has a putting green and sand bunker in his back yard and a driving range in his basement, as well as an indoor putting green.

He has two favorite actors: John Ritter and Tom Hanks. "Those two guys make me laugh more than anybody," Smoltzie says. John likes to read books on leadership. Smoltz uses a Louisville Slugger bat, Wilson glove, and wears Reebok spikes. STRONG CHRISTIAN John is a Christian. "Now I go through tough times by learning not to put the pressure of the world's problems on my shoulders. I give them to the Lord," Smoltz says.	"I grew up in a great family atmosphere. I went to a parochial school all my life and grew up in a home where from day one I was taught -- these are things you're supposed to do, these are the things that are right. In my development not only in baseball but as a person, I've learned that nothing comes easy. Whether it's baseball or off the field, I'm constantly trying to become better in both aspects. But when you think you've got it licked, or when you think that you've learned enough and that your faith is good enough, that's when you start slipping. Nobody said it was going to be easy to be a Christian."

Smoltz is involved with the Braves' chapel program and Bible study. He says, "I don't know it all. There are many things that I don't understand. And there are times when I struggle. But through the Bible, all things are made easier because the answers are right there. And if you have any questions or you have any doubts, or you're having any problems, there's no better tool or avenue than the Word itself."	For John and wife Dyan, the bottom line is to grow closer to Jesus Christ, to raise their family to walk steadily with God. Each year, John has gotten more into the Bible, and the Bible has gotten more into him. Smoltz donates $50 for every strikeout he gets to Atlanta's Table, a charity food bank,and to St. Gerard's Charity, a Catholic school he attended in Lansing, Michigan.

John helped found a Christian school in suburban Atlanta and in 2004 and 2005 worked to find a permanent site for construction of it. Smoltz gets a lot of calls from former teammates and opponents requesting spiritual guidance. He has trouble with a culture that professes to dislike the look-at-me antics of so many athletes and yet shows equal comtempt for on-the-sleeve Christians such as, well, him. "When someone says, 'I just want to give the glory to God,' he's considered a freak," Smoltz says. "I truly don't understand that." John also says, "I know my talent has allowed people to put up with my beliefs." (Tim Keown-ESPN the Magazine-10/11/04)	Of being a star pitcher, John was asked if he can still go out in public. "No. Basically, privacy doesn't exist much anymore. I mean there's good and bad with everything that you do. I always try to see the good in everything. But there's a lot of things that I don't like that are just accepted as part of the job. One of those things is that you basically have no social life. The biggest thing is that the individual person doesn't inconvenience you, it's the 20 individual people. "For instance, once one person breaks the ice in getting an autograph, then it just becomes an inconvenience because there are so many more that follow. The thing that I've learned to do is that I have to say "no." When I'm with my family, that's my family's time. While I'm at dinner, that's also the time that I'm with my family. When I'm alone, or after I'm done with dinner, then I try to accommodate people."

Of his childhood, John says, "I was a musician when I was a kid. Believe it or not, when I was 4 years old I was an accordion player. From what I understand, I was pretty good." John thinks of himself as just a big, huge kid. "I just love to compete and love to play games. I really try and have fun in whatever I'm doing, whoever I'm with. You know, kind of high on life."	Smoltz was suspended for eight games and fined an undisclosed amount for throwing at the Mets' John Cangelosi during a May 14, 1994 game. Cangelosi was suspended for four games and fined for charging the mound. In May 2000, Smoltz handled some TV color work for Turner Sports' Braves games while Skip Caray was attending his son's high school graduation.

"When he was a little younger," says Braves manager Bobby Cox, "John was probably the best athlete in the National League." Among ballplayers over 30, he probably still is. He is a scratch golfer, could have played college basketball, and still plays a ferocious pickup game of roundball. Smoltz has always kept himself in tremendous condition, which is why he got a three-year contract before 2002 spring training.	John has to compete. He plays something, anything, all the time. And he has to be good at it. Hit a 3-wood 240-yards over water? How about the NCAA tournament pool? One-on-one hoops? Smoltzie's there, because NOBODY in baseball loves competing more. When Smoltz retires from baseball, he wants to become a professional golfer -- and he will. John has the type-A personality that is uncomfortable if he is in a car and not driving it.

As a starting pitcher, Smoltz ate a meal three hours before his start so that "by the end of the game my stomach was just about empty," he said. Coming out of the bullpen, sometimes about three hours after the game started, John eats a light meal, a sandwich, for example, after batting practice. He even sleeps differently. "As a starter, the only time I needed a long sleep was the night before I pitched," he said. Working as a closer, more rest is a requirement. "I've had to take naps at home," Smoltz said. "I've got four kids, so that's been hard." CELEBRITY FRIENDS	John and comedian Jeff Foxworthy are good friends. They go bowling often during the off-season. And on Thursday mornings they go together to attend a morning Bible fellowship. Foxworthy met Smoltz through ex-Braves player Brett Butler when the three of them and their wives went out for dinner in the mid-1990s. After dinner, they went bowling. John and Tiger Woods became good friends several years ago. Asked why they have such a strong friendship, Smoltz said, "I don't know the answer to that, other than we have compatible personalities. I really respect what he does, and I think it's vice-versa with him. I'm no way or nowhere near the category that he's in. But I think we both have the ability to respect what perseverance means. "Friendships don't usually attract opposites. Your interests usually coincide. Both of us have a strong desire to be the best at what we do."

The Smoltz family and Foxworthy family usually spend New Year's Eve together. Foxworthy, who attended a Braves fantasy camp with his brother in the early 1990s, gave Smoltz an autographed picture of the Brothers Foxworthy -- names on the back of their uniforms, bats over shoulders and the inscription, "You Never Faced the Best." The brothers signed their autographs on their rear ends. The photo is in Smoltz's office. John and Tiger Woods play golf together every year. They have been friends since they met at the former All Star Sports Cafe in Atlanta. Smoltz said they've played nine or 10 rounds together, all on Orlando-area courses during spring training. "It's indescribable when you play with Tiger for the first time," Smoltz said. "You're just so nervous. You want to play so well that you just can't play good golf." Smoltz once played 45 holes in one day with Woods, 36 another time. He has never beaten him, but once believed he was close to pulling it off. "Going into 14, I was up, and significantly," Smoltz said. "And then he just threw it into sixth gear." During 2003 spring training, Smoltz, Tiger, Chipper Jones and Annika Sorenstam played at Isleworth Country Club in Orlando, Woods shot a 66 and Smoltz carded a 74, two strokes ahead of Sorenstam, the top-ranked woman who is planning to tee it up with the men on the PGA Tour in May. Jones was hampered by a sore left thumb and declined to reveal his score. "It was too embarrassing," Jones said. Sorenstam was shocked to see them hit drives longer than Woods, albeit not nearly as straight. "Their forearms and wrists are so powerful," she said. " "I mean, they were hitting it past Tiger. -- Not straight, mind you. They were all over the place. But they can really hit it."	On May 27, 2004, Smoltz passed Lou Burdette for fourth place on the Braves' franchise list in career innings pitched, with 2,638. August 19, 2004: Smoltz passed Gene Garber's Atlanta Braves club record of 141 career saves. Clubhouse managers say John is among the most generous and mannerly players in the game. Braves Manager Bobby Cox said of Smoltz's athleticism: "John could have been one of the greatest centerfielders of all time. He can run like a deer, catch anything, throw like nobody else. He's the greatest athlete I've ever seen on a baseball field." This from Cox, who was a teammate of an aging Mickey Mantle in New York.

John often sleeps in awkward positions. He sometimes wakes up very stiff. Because of his sometimes violent sleeping habits, the veteran hurler goes to bed wearing shorts with pockets in which he can place his hands. The most common awkward position Smoltz has found himself in is with his left arm bent and behind his head. "I've woken up thinking my arm has fallen off because I can't feel it," Smoltz said. Smoltz was recipient of the 2005 Roberto Clemente Award for on-field excellence and commitment to community service. The award was presented by Roberto Clemente's son, Roberto Jr., and Clemente's widow, Vera. Smoltz and his wife formed the John and Dyan Smoltz Foundation in 1997 to support their many endeavors, including the Kings Ridge Christian School, for which Smoltz and his foundation have raised nearly $5 million. He also has been a supporter of the Atlanta Community Food Bank since 1992.	John goes through an inordinate number of baseballs, frequently signaling to the umpire to toss him a new one. He is very picky about his cowide, and freely admists it. He wants the baseball to feel the same way in his hands every time he makes a pitch, and if it doesn't, he has it thrown out. "You know what it should feel like. And if it doesn't, if it's 'square' or too big -- various reasons -- you know something's not right. It's all about feel. Not all baseballs are made standard," Smoltz said. Smoltz is not "all about the money." He says, "My pursuit of happiness has nothing to do with the financial package. If that had been the case, there were four different times I could have left (the Braves) for more money. But (more money) didn't guarantee I would be happier, and my family wouldn't have been better off. So, knowing that was a big part of praying about where to go, where to be, and what tod do, and not allow my ego to make a decision."

February 9, 2007: John and his wife, Dyan, decided to end their 16-year marriage. It was said to be a mutual decision. They were married just before the start of the 1991 season. Their only son, John Andrew Jr., was born later that same year. Their three daughters -- Kelly Christina, Carly Maria and Rachel Elizabeth -- range in age from 7 to 13. September 14, 2007: Smoltz and a few other Braves met President Bush in the Oval Office. With the team in town to play the Nationals, the President asked to see some of the players, spending about 30 minutes talking baseball.	John has two dogs, Brownie and Lilly, both Wehaton Terriers. Smoltz was asked which item, among all the memorabilia and awards he's won, is the most meaningful to him. Among many World Series items and souvenirs from All Star Games, as well as his Rolaids Relief Man Award, John picked up a photo of his friend, comedian and TV personality Jeff Foxworthy and his brother, Jay, each wearing Braves jerseys bearing their last name and the number "49." The framed photo is signed by the brothers and inscribed, "To John: You never faced the best." In 2004, John and his now former wife, Dyan, purchased 18 acres of land on which sat an 18,000-square-foot, unfinished, rambling estate house. His former teammate and catcher, Greg Olson, helped put the deal together. "I felt there were ways to use it in ministry or outreach that really appealed to me," Smoltz, who has always been outspoken about his Christian faith, said of the huge home. When the Smoltzes divorced early in 2007, John remained in the house. The children, Andrew, who was 16 at the time, along with Rachel (14), Carly (10) and Kelly (8), spend every other week there. Dyan lives close by. The home has a foyer, complete with a black baby grand piano, opens directly into a formal living room with windows looking out over the substantial grounds. To one side of the foyer is John's wood-paneled office with built-in bookcases filled with books and baseball memorabilia. The heart of the home is a very large kitchen with a dining area off to the side connected to a large, much-used family room with a huge fireplace and hearth on one side of the room. He admits the formal living and dining rooms are rarely used. Double doors from the family room lead to a unique feature: an outdoor living/dining/kitchen area. The space includes a built-in television and outdoor fireplace and full kitchen, complete with a built-in grill. Draperies can be drawn to create "walls" to block wind or light. John says it's become one of his favorite places to sit in the evening. On one side of the home's basement is one of John's and his children's favorite hangouts, the home theater. Two rows of tan leather recliners face a large screen television. A computer console next to John's chair controls lights and volume, as well as what is on the screen: movies, TV or X-Box video games, for example. On the abundant grounds around the home there are three golf holes, a baseball field, tennis court, basketball court and a 90-yard football field. The football field is natural grass, but the baseball infield and golf tees are artificial turf. (Patty Rasmussen-ChopTalk-December 2007) TRANSACTION REPORT

June 1985: The Tigers chose Smoltz in the 22nd round, out of Lansing High School in Michigan. August 1987: The Tigers traded Smoltz to Atlanta for P Doyle Alexander. December 2001: John signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Braves. He passed up $22 million more from George Steinbrenner to be a starting pitcher in the Yankees' rotation. He almost went to New York. It was very close. December 16, 2004: Smoltz signed a two-year, $20 million contract that carries him through 2006, with a club option for 2007. Instead of the $12 million salary plus $100,000 per start that he would've made in an option year on his old contract, the new contracts supersedes it and includes a $6 million signing bonus, $6 million salary in 2005, and $8 million in 2006.	April 26, 2007: Smoltz and the Braves reached an agreement on a contract extension for $14 million in 2008. The pact also included a $12 million option for 2009 that becomes guaranteed if Smoltz pitches 200 innings in 2008. Given the details of this contract, John will most likely finish his career with the Braves. (Editor's note: Nope.) "I'm the most blessed man in the world," Smoltz said. "To have had the opportunity to have played all my career in one city and for pretty much just one manager, I just couldn't have asked for more." October 31, 2008: John filed for free agency. January 8, 2009: Smoltz signed a $5.5 million contract with the Red Sox. The pact called for up to $5 million in an incentive clause. The incentives include $125,000 for his first day on the active roster, $500,000 if he is on the active roster on the last day of the season, and up to $4.375 million for the number of days he is on the major league roster during the season -- $125,000 for his first day, $35,000 a day from June 1 through Oct. 3, and $500,000 for Oct. 4, the last scheduled day of the regular season. Miscellaneous bonuses would come into play if he wins comeback player of the year, the Cy Young or other such awards. John passed up an offer from the Braves that included $2 million in base salary with $8 million in incentives. The incentives included $5 million for 200 innings/30 starts, with no prorated amount if he pitched less, such as 180 innings pitched.

August 7, 2009; The Red Sox designated Smoltz for assignment. And on August 17, John became a free agent. August 19, 2009: Smoltz signed with the Cardinals. February 5, 2009: John filed for free agency.

PITCHING:
Smoltz is incredibly tough in tight situations. Few pitchers can work out of a jam like him. He is very savvy. He changed his delivery late in the 1999 season. He dropped his arm angle to a low, three-quarters delivery, transforming himself into a sinker/ground ball pitcher. It saved wear on his injured right elbow. Smoltz has an 86-93 mph FASTBALL and still has that good CIRCLE CHANGE (that he added in 1994) and both a hard and soft CURVEBALL. His hard knee-buckling SLIDER has been described as "unhittable." But he quit using it near the end of the 1999 season. Smoltz added the changeup to try to make it easier on himself instead of busting his gut for nine innings every outing. He also uses a SPLIT-FINGER fastball. And in September 1999, John used a KNUCKLEBALL in a game for the first time. And it is a good one.	His 2-seam fastball breaks down and in on righthanded hitters. Smoltz relies more on his slider and changeup than his 4-seam fastball and splitter. In 2009, finesse had replaced power even more than in 2007. A victim of too much advice with the Tigers, John tried to please his instructors. He tried to throw a variety of breaking pitches and change-ups and had not mastered any of them. So the Braves had him settle down on one breaking ball and one change to complement his overpowering fastball. Presto! John found the strike zone! He also tightened up his big curve. When he gets it over, he pitches a fine game. It's more of a throw-and-turn breaking pitch. It has a real nasty break on it.

Former Dodger great Don Drysdale had a theory that power pitchers develop later because their "stuff" gets them by for so long without them learning to pitch. Despite all his accomplishments, Smoltz was often the focal point of criticism. He had been lableled as an underachiever, a pitcher who had yet to live up to his tremendous potential -- until 1996. And it was undue criticism. John had not racked up a lot of wins because the Braves did not support him with as many runs as they did the other pitchers on their fine starting staff.	Smoltz can still be a bit animated and volatile on the mound. A more fierce competitor than John would be hard to find in baseball. Some say he's too competitive, whatever that means. His competitive nature is in everything he does. On the golf course, in the clubhouse, at home, whatever he is doing, he has got to do it better than the next guy. It is a huge part of what has made him such an outstanding pitcher in such a long career. He had his best season as a starting pitcher in 1996. It just all came together for him. Braves' pitching coach Leo Mazzone said, "If there is one difference (in 1996), the command of his fastball has been outstanding. He can put it where he wants it on a more consistent basis." The other significant factor for John was run support. Atlanta scored more for him in 1996 than ever before. In 1996, Smoltz led the National Leage in wins and strikeouts.

In 2001, John was excited about being able to throw the ball down without pain, something he hadn't been able to do in many years. CONVERTED TO CLOSER In 2001, John spoke on the possibility of becoming a closer. "I've suggested it many times in the midst of some of our troubles," John revealed. "I feel very confident I could do it. I think it would add years to my career. If I had my choice, it would be to remain as a dominant starter. But would I like to come in three out of four days? Absolutely. I think that would fit my mind-set. I'd fail too, but I'd come back the same way the next day and not be afraid."	The Braves moved Smoltz to the bullpen for the first time during the second half of the 2001 season. For a pitcher who plans golf outings, gin rummy tournaments, and once set up a helicopter ride to a doctor's appointment in Birmingham, it was a big change. He got a taste of it in a hurry the day Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone called for him when he was 12 pieces of Bazooka bubble gum into adjusting to his new life --- from starter to bullpen. "When I got up, I got such a sugar rush, I got sick to my stomach and had to spit it out," Smoltz said. Smoltz went through the rookie-of-the-bullpen drill in 2001, where he carried out snacks and drinks for everyone. He even grew the more intimidating Fu Manchu mustache.

In Smoltz's 12-plus seasons as a starter, he was 159-115 with a 3.37 ERA. Bobby Cox's heart rate loved Smoltz in the 'pen. He would throw strikes, a refreshing change from the days of Mark Wohlers and John Rocker. Smoltz became just the second pitcher with a 20-win season and a 30-save season. Dennis Eckersley was the only other. And John has a 50-save season. When the Braves lost to the Diamondbacks in the 2001 National League Championship Series, John was really hacked about pitching only three meaningless innings In the five games, Smoltz was never called on in a save situation. "You can't convince me that a closer is more valuable in the postseason than a starter," John said. "As a closer, the game has to come to you. When you're starting, you control the game. I still think about matching up with Randy Johnson or Curt Schilling and going toe-to-toe for eight, nine innings. I miss that," Smoltz said near the end of the 2002 season.	Smoltz broke the National League single-season save record with his 54th on September 27, 2002. In addition, the Braves were 49-0 in his 49 appearances in the final four months of the 2002 season, the longest such streak since Oakland won in 52 consecutive appearances by Eckersley in 1992. Smoltz was 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA, .148 average allowed, and 41 saves in 42 opportunities during that span. He finished with an NL-record 55 saves and 3.25 ERA in 75 appearances. RECORD-BREAKING STREAK John went from March 29, 2002 to March 26, 2003 without being in a game that the Braves lost -- three days short of a year (362 days). The Braves had won 73 consecutive games in which Smoltz appeared. "I wanted it to go on forever," said Smoltz. The streak shattered the previous Major League record of 59 consecutive Oakland wins in appearances by Dennis Eckersley from Oct. 1, 1991 to Aug. 23, 1992. Just how good was Smoltz during the 362 game stretch in which the Braves won 73 consecutive games in which he pitched? Smoltz was 3-0 with 60 saves in 62 opportunities. In 76 innings, he struck out 86 and walked just 17. He yielded a meager .177 batting average. "I don't think this record will ever be broken," he said.

For two-thirds of the 2003 season, Smoltz was incredible. Through August 2, John had a 0.78 ERA and was on pace for a record-shattering 62 saves. Then he started having elbow problems and made only 8 more appearances. But for the season, pitching at home in Turner Field, Smoltz went 27-for-27 in save chances with a 0.48 ERA. Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone says that because Smoltz has a background as a starter and still utilizes all of his pitches, just like a starter, he was better able to avoid the bad games as a reliever. "The reason why John was a great closer is he kept his starter's mentality," Mazzone said. "That means using all his pitches, the same pitches he had when he started. If more closers would do that, they would be more consistent."	"I never thought closing would be better for my career," Smoltz said. "Never. Anyone who thought closing would be better for my arm thought wrong. I've never been as tired in my life as I was at the end of last season. I agreed to become a closer because I wanted to stay in Atlanta. And the Braves felt the makeup of our team was better if I closed. "I turned down big money from the Yankees, a four- or five-year deal," Smoltz said about the winter following 2001. "They wanted me to start. But I prayed on it and wanted to be in Atlanta for my family, even if it meant I'd have to close." BREAKDOWN VS. LEFTIES AND RIGHTIES In 2005, Smoltz allowed a .252 average with 10 home runs in 473 at-bats to lefthanded hitters. And he held righthanded batters to a .233 mark with 8 home runs in 391 at-bats.

In 2006, lefthanded hitters hit .278 with 12 home runs in 414 at-bats vs. John, while he limited righthanded batters to a .226 average with 11 home runs in 468 at-bats. In 2007, John allowed a .262 average with 8 home runs in 386 at-bats against lefthanded hitters, while holding righthanded batters to a .237 average with 10 home runs in 401 at-bats. On May 25, 2007, Smoltz notched his 200th career win as the Braves beat Tom Glavine and the Mets 2-1. John became the only pitcher in Major League history with both 200 wins and 150 saves. On August 19, 2007, Smoltz passed Phil Niekro to set a new franchise record for most career strikeouts with his 2,913th strikeout.	On April 22, 2008: John struck out the 3,000th hitter of his career. Smoltz became the 16th pitcher in Major League history to record 3,000 career strikeouts. Fittingly, the milestone was reached with the slider that allowed him to become one of the greatest strikeout pitchers the game has seen. And, only Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Nolan Ryan, Curt Schilling and Roger Clemens reached this mark while completing fewer innings than Smoltz. In 2009, Smoltz allowed lefthanded hitters a .342 average with 8 homers in 161 at-bats, but held righthanded hitters to a .256 average with 3 homers in 156 at-bats. John's career record was 213-155 with a 3.33 ERA, at of the start of the 2010 season. He had only allowed a .237 batting average with 288 home runs and 3,074 hits in 3,473 innings over his 19-year Major League career.

FIELDING:
Smoltz does an excellent job with the glove. He pretty much stops the running game. A fine hitter, John can hit with power (5 career home runs entering the 2001 season) and also hits for average (.274 in 1999).

RUNNING:

POST-PLAYING CAREER POSITIONS

April, 2010: Smoltz joined both TBS and MLB Network as a Baseball Analyst.

CAREER INJURY REPORT:
The double-jointedness that has helped Smoltz's well-exercised pitching shoulder remain flexible and powerful also has worked against his non-throwing shoulder. Both of Smoltz's shoulders sometimes jostle out of joint briefly. His shoulder has instability, so it always shows a little tearing of the labrum. It bothers him when he hits more than anything. John had some elbow problems early in 1986. An inflamed area in the back of his elbow ended his 1989 season on September 2. His health began to deteriorate late in the 1991 season. Dr Joe Chandler diagnosed the ailment as bone chips in Smoltz' right elbow, which really started to effect him regularly a year later. Chandler recommended surgery at the end of the 1992 season and again the following winter after Smoltz decided against it. "It was periodic," John said. "The pain would come and go. I'd have two bad weeks, then two good weeks. During that time I couldn't throw anything slow. When I'd throw the ball hard, I was fine. But when I had to put any kind of touch on a pitch, that's where it was very difficult." But the pain finally was more than he could bear and John had a spur removed from his right elbow September 8, 1994, ending his season. It was a procedure that involved filling the elbow with water and inserting a sharp instrument attached to the arthroscope to remove the bone fragment. Braves orthopedic surgeon Joe Chandler removed the large spur, having to cut it in half to pull it through the arthroscope. Chandler also took out 2 other fragments. But there was no damage to the ligament.	December 1997: Smoltz underwent elbow surgery to remove chips and calcium deposits. It was a 3-hour arthroscopic procedure. John said he was going through anaccelerated off-season conditioning problem that week when his elbow filled with fluid after throwing. John knows, "I'm not 21 anymore. My work habits and aggressive nature will have to change a little. I still think I can pitch a lot of innings, but not so much." May 1998: He went on the D.L. with a sore right elbow. May 1999: John went on the D.L. with an inflamed right elbow. Doctors drained fluid from his elbow. An MRI showed no serious damage. He was reactivated June 1.

July 1999: John went back on the D.L. with a strained right elbow. He was reactivated July 24. Smoltz realized March 8, 2000 that he would be out for the entire 2000 season with a torn ligament in his right elbow. "There's nothing really that could have prevented this," John said. "That's the nature of what we do. It isn't one pitch that I felt anything. It's just been over time. I just wish there was a way it wouldn't take a year." He had Tommy John surgery March 23, by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. Smoltz started the 2001 season on the D.L. with tendinitis in that elbow. He was activated May 17. But because of inflammation in his right elbow and shoudler, John went back on the D.L. June 11. He was reactivated July 22.	January 2002: Smoltz had laser surgery to remove the thumbnail on his right thumb, then suffered a staph infection in the thumb at the start of spring training. August 24-September 21, 2003: John went on the D.L. with tendinitis in his right elbow. October 7, 2003: Smoltz underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. Dr. James Andrews removed scar tissue around the tendon and nerves in Smoltz's right elbow that began to severely bother him in August. The Braves closer missed most of September with what was diagnosed as tendinitis and after returning, pitched in obvious discomfort. "He went through hell," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He was really gutting it out. He gave us everything he could."

May 14, 2007: Smoltz dislocated the pinky finger on his throwing hand after applying the tag in a round down play. In obvious pain, John was forced to leave the game. May 29, 2007: Smoltz reinjured his pinky finger on a broken-bat single, then tweaked his right shoulder warming up between innings. John was removed from the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. June 1, 2007: Lingering concerns about his tweaked shoulder has scrubbed Smoltz's next start. "It's not something that's going to require a vacation," Smoltz said. "It's just something that needs a few days." July 3-18, 2007: Smoltz had to miss his last start before the All Star break, and the All Star Game, because of continued right shoulder discomfort. An MRI showed no injury to his rotator cuff but, with some inflammation in the right shoulder, the Braves put him on the 15-day D.L.	March 22-April 6, 2008: John went on the D.L. with right shoulder inflammation. April 29-June 2, 2008: Smoltz was on the D.L. with severe inflammation in his bicep tendon and in his rotator cuff in his right shoulder. June 4, 2008: After returning from the D.L. and pitching poorly in one relief outing John went back on the D.L. and said he was going to have season-ending shoulder surgery. June 13, 2008: Smoltz was pleased with the outcome of the season-ending shoulder surgery and reiterated that he intends to pitch again. "There was significant damage in the shoulder, but all that's fixed, and all would allow me to pursue coming back," John said. March 27-June 25, 2009: John began the season on the D.L. while recovering from his shoulder surgery.