Atlanta Braves: Power Ranking the Retired Numbers

John Smoltz did everything for the Atlanta Braves as both an ace of their starting rotation and at one point the best closer in the game of baseball.  Smoltzie came to Atlanta in 1987 as part of the Doyle Alexander Trade with the Detroit Tigers.  Though it took a few seasons for John to figure it out at the Major League level, he will go down as one of the greatest postseason pitchers of all-time as well as the most versatile pitcher in baseball.

It seems that John Smoltz always got the start in the games that mattered most for the Atlanta Braves.  He was on the mound in 1991 when the team went Worst to First.  His hard-fought battle with his idol Jack Morris in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series has become one of the Top 5 greatest games in MLB history.  Smoltz boasts a 15-4 postseason record with a 2.67 ERA in 27 career playoff games.

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During the regular season, John Smoltz won 210 of his 213 career games, struck out 3,011 of his 3,084 career hitters, and set a then franchise record with 154 career saves.  John Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to have over 200 career wins and over 150 career saves.  That is proof that he did whatever it took for his Atlanta Braves to win ball games and contend for championships.

John made 8 All-Star Games and won the 1996 NL Cy Young.  His 1996 campaign is one of the best in recent memory, going 24-8, with a 2.94 ERA, striking out 276 batters.  His ERA that season was the only thing holding him back from a Pitching Triple Crown.  Smoltzie went 4-1 in postseason play in 1996 en route to another NL Pennant for the Braves.

Smoltz earned enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame back in July as a first ballot inductee like his fellow rotation and golf buddies Greg Maddux and another guy we’ll get to in a minute.  Though he wasn’t at the time, John Smoltz became my favorite pitcher on the Atlanta Braves in the last 25 years.  His numbers are strong but his impact with the organization as a dynamic clubhouse leader holds him in such high regard with Braves Country.

Next: 5. The Winner of the Most Important Game in Atlanta Sports History