John Smoltz

John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967 in Detroit, Michigan) is a Major League Baseball player. While he is predominantly known as a starter and former Cy Young Award winner, in 2001 he became a closer. In 2002 he became only the second pitcher in history to have both a season with 20 wins and a season with 50 saves in his career (the other was Dennis Eckersley). Smoltz is also one of only two pitchers with 150 wins and 150 saves (again, the other is Dennis Eckersley)). Smoltz throws a four-seam fastball that tops out in the low- to mid-90s, a 91MPH slider that has long been considered one of the best in the league, and a 92MPH split-finger fastball that he uses as a strikeout pitch. He mixes in a curveball on occasion as well.

Accomplishments

• Seven-time All-Star (1989, 1992-93, 1996, 2002-03, 2005)
• National League Cy Young Award winner (1996)
• National League Championship Series MVP (1992)
• National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award winner (2002)
• Finished 8th in National League MVP voting (2002)
• Finished 3rd in National League Cy Young Award voting (2002)
• Finished 4th in National League Cy Young Award voting (1998)
• Led the National League in wins (1996, with 24)
• Led the National League in saves (2002, with 55)