So close to the 2015 MLB Hall of Fame, lets take a look into the 21-year career of pitcher, John Smoltz. Smoltz played for the Atlanta Braves for his entire Major League career with the exception of one season. Smoltz would sign a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, and after being released in August of the 2009 season he would sign on with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-handed ace has done a little bit of everything in this game, and has endured the ultimate highs and lows. In the end, John Smoltz became one of the greatest pitchers of all-time. So lets take a look at the career of the legendary John Smoltz, who will be inducted into Hall of Fame tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the illustrious class of 2015.

John Smoltz is from Lansing, Michigan and would be drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1985 in the 22nd round. In 1987, the young right-hander would be traded to the Atlanta Braves for veteran starter Doyle Alexander. Despite Alexander helping the Tigers reach the playoffs that year, this trade would go down as one of the biggest lopsided trades in Major League history.

Smoltz would be called up to the big leagues at 21-years-old on July 23rd, 1988. He and future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine would have a rough season that year as the team wasn't very good, but the next season was the start of something good for both youngsters as the Braves were on the back end of some lean years as a franchise.

In 1989, Smoltz would go 12-11 with a 2.94 ERA, leading to his first of eight All-Star game appearances. Even though the Braves as a team weren't having success, John Smoltz was doing his part every fifth day.

The 1991 season was an incredible year for the Braves franchise as Atlanta went worst to first winning 94 games and advancing to the World Series to face the Minnesota Twins. Smoltz had a rocky start to the '91 season going 2-11. He would bounce back and finish the season with a 14-13 record and 3.80 ERA. Smoltz would also become a playoff hero winning both of his starts in the NL Championship series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, including Game 7. Smoltz would pitch well in the World Series and would be apart of one of the greatest games ever as he went toe-to-toe with Jack Morris in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Despite the Braves losing that game, a postseason giant was born as John Smoltz would finish his career with a 15-4 record in the postseason with a 2.67 ERA.

Smoltz would have back-to-back 15-win season in 1992 and 1993, reaching the Midsummer Classic both years. In 1993, the Braves would sign fellow Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, assembling the greatest trio of pitchers this era has ever seen.

1994 was a difficult year for both Major League baseball and John Smoltz. In the strike-shortened season, Smoltz would go 6-10 with a 4.14 ERA, and during the break would have bone chips removed from his pitching elbow.

Smoltz would rebound nicely in 1995 as he went 12-7 with a 3.18 ERA during the regular season. This time around, playoff baseball wasn't kind to the right-hander. In three starts, including the World Series, he wouldn't record a decision but did have an ERA of 6.60. He would be overshadowed by Glavine and Maddux as the Braves would win their only World Series championship in Atlanta history.

1996, however, would be John Smoltz's best season of his career. By seasons end, Smoltz held a win/loss record of 24-7 with 2.94 ERA, while leading the league in innings pitched (253.2) and strikeouts (276). Those impressive numbers led to his only National League CY Young Award. 1997 was just as dominate but only held a win/loss record of 15-12 because of a lack of run support.

1998 and 1999 were still top notch but Smoltz missed a handful of starts each year because of several stints on the disabled list. Finally, in 2000 at the age of 33, Smoltz would undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire year.

He would return in 2001 and after being ineffective as a starter would head to the bullpen and become a closer. In 2002, Smoltz became a full-time closer and was spectacular as he broke the National League saves record with 55. Despite some minor injuries, Smoltz would save 45 games in 2003 while posting a microscopic ERA of 1.12. In four total seasons as a closer, Smoltz would record a Braves franchise-record 154 saves, previously held by Gene Garber. Recent Braves closer Craig Kimbrel would end up breaking that record in 2014.

Needing help in the starting rotation, the Braves agreed to send the veteran right-hander back to the rotation at the age of 38 in the 2005 season. It wasn't a seamless transition as Smoltz would give up six runs in 1.2 innings to the Florida Marlins on Opening Day. He would figure things out as he finished the season 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA. Smoltz would follow that up in 2006 with an even better season going 16-9 with a 3.49 ERA, and in 232 innings pitched he struck out 211 batters, the last time he would stike out over 200.
           
2007 was a monumental year for the Braves ace. On May 24th, exactly 11 years to the day when he recorded his 100th career win, Smoltz would grab his 200th career win, and it was against former teammate Tom Glavine. On August 19th, he would become the Braves all-time strikeout leader with 2,913, passing knuckleballer Phil Niekro. In April of 2008, he became the 16th pitcher in Major League Basball history to record his 3,000th strikeout. He finished his career with 3,084 strikeouts, which is still 16th on the all-time list.

Interestingly enough, Smoltz was one of four pitchers to reach the 3,000 strikeout mark with one team, joining the likes of Walter JohnsonBob Gibson, and Steve Carlton.

The end of his career didn't end the way he would want it. In 2008, his season was cut short as he had season-ending shoulder surgey. His contract was up at the end of the season and the two sides couldn't reach an agreement. They parted ways and Smoltz would end his career with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals in 2009.

When it's all said and done, John Smoltz is one of the greatest pitchers this game has ever seen, and he deserves this great honor being inducted into Cooperstown as a first ballot Hall of Famer. When he is inshrined tomorrow, Smoltz will be the first player to receive this honor after having Tommy John surgery during his career.

The competitiveness Smoltz showed through his 21-year carrer can't be matched. He left all he had on the field, no matter the role he was in. There are very few pitchers who could be an all-time great starter and closer, combined with the postseason success. Congratulations John Smoltz, from this writer and everyone at VAVEL. You had a remarkable career and deserve this honor you are being given tomorrow in Cooperstown, New York.

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Jameus Mooney and Parker White
Chicks dig the longball.