John Smoltz

John Andrew Smoltz, born on May 15, 1967, is a distinguished former Major League Baseball pitcher, best known for his extensive career with the Atlanta Braves from 1988 to 2009, with his last season spent with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Affectionately referred to as "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke," Smoltz earned a remarkable reputation as a key component of the Braves' formidable pitching trio alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, leading the team to numerous playoff appearances and clinching the 1995 World Series title.

Smoltz, an eight-time All-Star, achieved significant milestones throughout his career, including winning the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 with an impressive 24-8 record, marking a peak among NL pitchers since 1972. Transitioning from a starting pitcher to a reliever in 2001 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, he enjoyed a successful stint as a closer, setting the NL record with 55 saves in 2002. Notably, he became the first pitcher ever to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.

His postseason prowess is legendary, as he recorded a 15-4 record with a 2.67 ERA over 41 playoff games and was named MVP of the 1992 NL Championship Series. Smoltz ranks fifth in NL history with 3,051 strikeouts and holds the Braves franchise records for career strikeouts and games pitched. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, he continues to contribute to the sport as a television analyst.