What Happened to John Andrew Smoltz?
John Smoltz is a Hall of Fame former Major League Baseball pitcher, primarily known for his illustrious career with the Atlanta Braves, where he uniquely excelled as both a dominant starting pitcher and an elite closer. Since retiring from playing in 2009, Smoltz has transitioned into a highly respected broadcasting career, serving as a lead analyst for Fox Sports MLB and MLB Network, while also actively participating in celebrity golf tournaments and offering commentary on current baseball trends as of June 2026.
Quick Answer
John Smoltz, a Hall of Fame pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, retired from baseball in 2009 after a distinguished career as both a starter and closer. Since then, he has become a prominent baseball analyst for Fox Sports and MLB Network, calling major events like the World Series. As of June 2026, Smoltz continues his broadcasting work, participates in celebrity golf tournaments like the American Century Championship, and shares his insights on topics such as MLB's automated ball-strike (ABS) system.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Drafted by Detroit Tigers
John Smoltz was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd round of the MLB amateur draft.
Traded to Atlanta Braves
Smoltz was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Atlanta Braves for veteran pitcher Doyle Alexander. This trade is widely considered one of the most lopsided in MLB history.
MLB Debut with Atlanta Braves
Smoltz made his Major League Baseball debut with the Atlanta Braves.
NLCS MVP
Smoltz was named the Most Valuable Player of the National League Championship Series.
World Series Champion
Smoltz helped lead the Atlanta Braves to a World Series championship, defeating the Cleveland Indians.
National League Cy Young Award Winner
Smoltz had a career-best season, winning 24 games and leading the league in strikeouts, earning him the NL Cy Young Award.
Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
Smoltz underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2000 season and leading to a career transition.
Transitions to Closer Role
Following his recovery, Smoltz successfully transitioned from a starting pitcher to the Braves' closer.
Sets NL Single-Season Saves Record
In his first full season as a closer, Smoltz set a National League record with 55 saves.
Retires from MLB
After stints with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, Smoltz retired from Major League Baseball.
Joins Fox Sports as Analyst
Smoltz began his broadcasting career, joining Fox Sports as a game analyst and also working for MLB Network.
Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
John Smoltz was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his first ballot.
Becomes Lead MLB Analyst for Fox Sports
Smoltz was elevated to the lead analyst position for Major League Baseball on Fox, calling the All-Star Game and World Series.
Discusses American Century Championship and U.S. Senior Open Qualifying
Smoltz was interviewed about his preparations for the upcoming American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament and his efforts to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open.
Comments on MLB's ABS Challenge System
Smoltz shared his views on the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system in MLB, favoring the current challenge format over a full-time automated system.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
John Andrew Smoltz carved out a unique and Hall of Fame-worthy career in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Atlanta Braves. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1985 and traded to the Braves in 1987, Smoltz quickly became a cornerstone of Atlanta's dominant pitching staff alongside Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. He made his MLB debut in 1988 and established himself as a formidable starting pitcher, earning eight All-Star selections and winning the National League Cy Young Award in 1996 with a remarkable 24-8 record and 276 strikeouts.
A pivotal turning point in Smoltz's career came after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2000, which forced him to miss the entire 2000 season. Upon his return in 2001, he transitioned to a closer role, a move that proved incredibly successful. He set an NL record with 55 saves in 2002 and recorded 154 saves in 168 opportunities over three and a half seasons, becoming the only pitcher in MLB history with at least 200 career wins and 150 saves. This versatility underscored his exceptional talent and resilience. He returned to a starting role in 2005, continuing to pitch effectively before concluding his playing career with stints with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals in 2009.
Smoltz was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 on his first ballot, a testament to his impactful 21-year career. Following his retirement, Smoltz seamlessly transitioned into a highly successful broadcasting career. He joined Fox Sports in 2014 and quickly ascended to their lead MLB game analyst role, calling the All-Star Game and World Series alongside play-by-play announcers like Joe Buck and later Joe Davis. He also serves as an analyst for MLB Network and makes guest appearances for Bally Sports South on select Atlanta Braves games.
As of June 2026, Smoltz remains a prominent voice in baseball. He continues his lead analyst duties for Fox MLB, offering expert commentary on the sport's biggest events. Beyond baseball, Smoltz is an avid golfer and a regular participant in celebrity golf events, including the American Century Championship, where he has consistently performed well. In June 2026, he publicly shared his nuanced views on Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system, expressing support for the challenge format but cautioning against a full-time automated system, believing it would negatively impact the game. He also discussed the passing of legendary Braves manager Bobby Cox in May 2026 and provided analysis on the World Baseball Classic in March 2026. Smoltz resides in Georgia with his wife, Kathryn Darden, whom he married in 2009.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if John Andrew Smoltz made different choices?