Post by Reddington on Mar 2, 2024 20:50:39 GMT -5
Once upon a time, in the baseball-rich city of Atlanta, there emerged a pitching legend named Smoltz came to town, whose career stats painted a canvas of dominance and resilience. This was the story of a pitcher who not only conquered the regular season but also shone brightly on the grand stage of postseason battles.
Drafted in the first round, third overall pick by Atlanta in 1985, the young pitcher quickly made a name for himself. His first career win came on April 12, 1987, and just five days later, he smashed his first career home run off Kevin Brown. Little did anyone know that this was just the beginning of a remarkable journey.
In 1988, he won a World Series with Atlanta, showcasing his prowess on the biggest stage. The years that followed were marked by extraordinary achievements—no-hitters, All-Star selections, and the coveted Cy Young Award in 1996 after a phenomenal season with a 27-5 record and a 1.74 ERA.
Despite facing setbacks like a Hyper Extended Elbow in 1993 and a Pulled Rotator Cuff Muscle in 2001, this pitcher persevered. He not only returned stronger but continued to set records. In 2001, he pitched a perfect game against Cincinnati and won the Cy Young Award again with a mind-boggling 24-2 record and a minuscule 0.77 ERA.
Injuries couldn't dim his brilliance. In 2002, he pitched another no-hitter against San Francisco and secured his third Cy Young Award with an astonishing 28-1 record and a 0.95 ERA. The accolades kept pouring in, with multiple Player of the Month awards, Player of the Week honors, and All-Star selections.
In the midst of personal triumphs, the pitcher also witnessed team success. He played a pivotal role in Atlanta winning the World Series in 1988, 1996, and 2000, solidifying his status as a franchise icon.
The latter years of his career were not without challenges, from a Bone Chips Elbow in 2005 to a Strained Bicep Tendon in 2006. Despite these hurdles, he continued to be a force on the mound. In 2007, he won another World Series with Atlanta, further cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
As the career of this extraordinary pitcher came to a close, the numbers told a story of consistency and excellence. With over 500 career wins, an ERA that rarely flirted with 2.00, and numerous records etched in the history books, he left an indelible mark on the world of baseball.
Whether it was striking out 18 batters in a game or leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and shutouts, this pitcher's journey was a testament to resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The name engraved on the back of his jersey might be just a collection of letters, but in the realm of baseball, it became synonymous with greatness.
All total Smoltz won 5 WS rings, eight Cy Youngs, and was an all star 13 times over his 24 seasons in the majors.
When it comes to all time numbers John is near the top in every category. His career wins are number 1, as no one has 500 wins other than him. His ERA for a 24 year career is beyond amazing. Number two in complete game shutouts, despite not being in the top 25 for complete games for a career. Number two in K’s. Smoltz is and forever will be the greatest player ever in HOFFBL.
Drafted in the first round, third overall pick by Atlanta in 1985, the young pitcher quickly made a name for himself. His first career win came on April 12, 1987, and just five days later, he smashed his first career home run off Kevin Brown. Little did anyone know that this was just the beginning of a remarkable journey.
In 1988, he won a World Series with Atlanta, showcasing his prowess on the biggest stage. The years that followed were marked by extraordinary achievements—no-hitters, All-Star selections, and the coveted Cy Young Award in 1996 after a phenomenal season with a 27-5 record and a 1.74 ERA.
Despite facing setbacks like a Hyper Extended Elbow in 1993 and a Pulled Rotator Cuff Muscle in 2001, this pitcher persevered. He not only returned stronger but continued to set records. In 2001, he pitched a perfect game against Cincinnati and won the Cy Young Award again with a mind-boggling 24-2 record and a minuscule 0.77 ERA.
Injuries couldn't dim his brilliance. In 2002, he pitched another no-hitter against San Francisco and secured his third Cy Young Award with an astonishing 28-1 record and a 0.95 ERA. The accolades kept pouring in, with multiple Player of the Month awards, Player of the Week honors, and All-Star selections.
In the midst of personal triumphs, the pitcher also witnessed team success. He played a pivotal role in Atlanta winning the World Series in 1988, 1996, and 2000, solidifying his status as a franchise icon.
The latter years of his career were not without challenges, from a Bone Chips Elbow in 2005 to a Strained Bicep Tendon in 2006. Despite these hurdles, he continued to be a force on the mound. In 2007, he won another World Series with Atlanta, further cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
As the career of this extraordinary pitcher came to a close, the numbers told a story of consistency and excellence. With over 500 career wins, an ERA that rarely flirted with 2.00, and numerous records etched in the history books, he left an indelible mark on the world of baseball.
Whether it was striking out 18 batters in a game or leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and shutouts, this pitcher's journey was a testament to resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The name engraved on the back of his jersey might be just a collection of letters, but in the realm of baseball, it became synonymous with greatness.
All total Smoltz won 5 WS rings, eight Cy Youngs, and was an all star 13 times over his 24 seasons in the majors.
When it comes to all time numbers John is near the top in every category. His career wins are number 1, as no one has 500 wins other than him. His ERA for a 24 year career is beyond amazing. Number two in complete game shutouts, despite not being in the top 25 for complete games for a career. Number two in K’s. Smoltz is and forever will be the greatest player ever in HOFFBL.
