John Smoltz

John Smoltz is a Major League pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Prior to signing with Boston, Smoltz played his entire 20-season career with the Atlanta Braves.

On January 13, 2009 the Boston Red Sox officially announced the signing of John Smoltz. The deal is believed to be worth $5.5 million dollars with incentives.ESPN.com: Red Sox announces Smoltz signing] (January 13, 2009)

Fast Facts:

Full name: John Andrew Smoltz
Born: May 15, 1967
Birth place: Warren, Michigan
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 lbs
Seven-time MLB All-Star
National League Cy Young Award winner (1996)
Only player in history to record 200 wins and 150 saves
2007 All-Star Selection

Early Career

A Michigan native, Smoltz was drafted by Detroit Tigers in 1985, but in 1987 in the midst of a pennant race, the Tigers traded their promising young pitching prospect to the Braves for veteran hurler Doyle Alexander. The trade was fateful for Smoltz, who would remain with the Braves organization until the present day.MLB.com: John Smoltz

The 1990s Braves

In the 1990s, Smoltz became a regular part of a Braves starting pitching rotation along with Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux that was one of the best in the history of the game. During that decade, the three hurlers combined to win six Cy Young Awards; Smoltz, usually the third starter on the team, won his sole Cy Young in 1996, often overshadowed by his teammates. Smoltz helped lead the Braves to five pennants in the decade as well as a World Championship in 1995.MLB.com: John Smoltz

New Beginning

In 2001, Smoltz was moved into the role of closer, and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant in the game. In 2002, he led the National League in saves and won the league's Rolaids Relief Award for best relief pitcher. However, in 2005, Smoltz returned to the rotation and over the next three seasons, posted some of the best numbers of his career. Early in the 2008 season, Smoltz returned to the bullpen.MLB.com: John Smoltz

On January 7, 2009, news agencies reported that free agent John Smoltz was close to signing a deal with the Boston Red Sox. Smoltz signed on January 8, joining a rotation that includes recently signed Brad Penny and returning starters Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield.ESPN.com: [Sources: Smoltz could sign with BoSox] (January 7, 2009)