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by Digger

John Smoltz 19 year career stats .

Career Highlights:
W/L 211-147, 3.25
Saves: 154
Games: 707
1992 NLCS MVP
1995 World Series Champ
1996 Cy Young Winner
2002 Rolaids Relief Man of Year
Post Season ERA: 2.65
40 Post Season Games (24 Playoff Series)

John Smoltz has been a tough as nails pitcher for 19 seasons for the Atlanta Braves. He's pitched on some of the Braves biggest games. After suffering arm soreness this season, Atlanta placed Smoltz on the disabled list. He's 3-2, 2.00 as a starter this year. He's back on active duty now but due to his shoulder woes has requested to return as team closer. Due to his past successes and Atlanta's pitching staff without a true closer... John's the man, at least for now.

This move is out of necessity to Smoltz. It appears, at least for 2008, his shoulder could make this Smoltz final MLB season. It's too early to tell but he must be hurting to request this move after pitching effectively earlier. Shorter stints of 1 inning per game will suit him better than trying to last 7. The emergence of good starters gives Atlanta flexibility to have Smoltz regain his closer status.

Smoltz developed and recovered from previous arm ailments. A 1999 injury shelved him for all of 2000 after 11+ seasons as a starting pitcher. He was a power pitcher who challenged batters in every start. Often playing for weak hitting Braves clubs undoubtably shaved off a few career victories. 1996 was his best as a starter going 24-8 and winning the Cy Young award. After missing the 2000 and better part of 2001 campaigns, Smoltz took over Atlanta's full time closer duties and shut the door on NL hitters to the tune of 154 saves (including 55 in his first full year closing). 2005-07 saw him return to starting pitcher and he was outstanding posting a 44-24 record).

This could be his farewell season depending on his arm. The game I'll never forget was his first World Series in 1991, Game 7 at Minnesota. Smoltz and Jack Morris locked horns throwing shutout baseball. Pitch for pitch, out for out, this game was a nail biter. Smoltz was finally removed after 7.1 sharp innings and Minnesota's Jack Morris pitched the game of his life for a 1-0 10 inning Series clincher. Smoltz was almost always stellar in post season play. Too bad Atlanta endured mostly weak lineups which struggled every game to score runs. Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were the best 1-2-3 starting combination of the 1990's. All contrasting styles with Smoltz representing pure power pitching with a blazing fastball and devastating slider.

Smoltz is one of the few current day pitchers baseball will miss when he decides to hang up his cleats. Seemed like Atlanta had a chance to win every game he started and seldom blew a lead when called on to close. Hopefully, he'll be successful again this season as a closer. New Yorkers hope he doesn't get any opportunities vs Mets (24 career saves).