Does John Smoltz belong in the Hall of Fame?

Question

Sure, he just passed Dennis Eckersley in wins, but he's more than 200 behind in saves.

It will be interesting to see how things are orchestrated to get Smoltz inducted with Maddux and Glavine in the same year.

Answer 1

In the strictest, technical sense, the answer is "not yet". But his career has been very good with bursts of greatness, he carries a lot of narrative value, plenty of postseason face time, and of course he's not yet done.

Right now I'd rate him a weak candidate*, but nothing he does from here to the end of his career is likely to make him look worse -- so I expect he'll finish looking better (perhaps MUCH better) and will be elected within his first five ballots.

*This is not intended as an insult to Smoltz and his career. But the Hall is the sport's highest honor, and candidates tend to be evaluated against both their contemporary peer group and the long reach of history. Recognize who comprises Smoltz's peers: Clemens, Maddux, Glavine, Johnson, and Martinez -- it's tough to stand out among that crowd, and even tougher to do so among teammates. Smoltz is, essentially, the sixth- or seventh-best pitcher of his era (depending on how much one likes Mussina, who faces a similar uphill challenge). Smoltz has one important advantage: four years, excellent ones for the most part, as a reliever/closer. That puts just enough of a different profile on his career that I do feel confident he'll earn the plaque. Piling up another 40-60 wins would seal the deal.

Answer 2

Maddux is a guaranteed HOF'er on his first try. The same is true of Glavine. So, to begin with, they would have to retire at the same time in order to be inducted in the same year.

Smoltz will be in the Hall, but I suspect that he'll have to wait for the Veterans Committee. His combined numbers are very good, but not at the same level. And you're quite correct about the comparison between Smotlz and Eckersley.

Eckersley spent about half of his career as a starter. He has 197 career wins, and is 5th on the all-times saves list, with 390. The 4 men ahead of him started a combined total of 16 games, 6 by John Franco and 10 by Mariano Rivera. Eckersley started 361 games, and Smoltz, to date, has started 440. Smoltz is 54 on the saves list, with 154.

Greg Maddux is 337 - 206 in 683 career starts.

Tom Glavine is 295 - 193 in 646 career starts.

So Smoltz regular season numbers just don't compare with those of Glavine and Maddux, nor with Eckersley. But combined with his post-season success, Smoltz will be here, via the Veterans Committee.

Answer 3

There is no question Smoltz deserves the Hall. 200 wins, and if he didn't make the bullpen stint, he would be at 250+ right now. He is one of the better big game pitchers in the history of the game as well. He has pitched in a number of big playoff games, and performed well. It was Madduz and Glavine that were normally getting beat. Plus, he was also the dominant closer in the NL for a few years. He'll put another few years together to solidify things, but he deserves the Hall.

Answer 4

Yes, John Smoltz belongs in the Hall of Fame he is the only Pitcher with at least 200 Wins and 150 Saves. He is an inigma in todays MLB. You can't base his hall worthiness on saves either otherwise Eddie Guardado(183) Danny Graves(182) Keith Foulke(190) and Jose Mesa(320) would be higher on the list and Wins Jack Morris(254) would rank higher. Getting a win is MUCH harder than getting a save and Dennis Eckersley was the John Smoltz of his time.

Answer 5

I think he does. He has been a solid, (and at times better than solid) starting pitcher throughout his career. He has been an excellent pitcher in the playoffs and whether you think they should consider playoff games when discussing the Hall of Fame or not, (and they should) you can not deny that he was an excellent pitcher in October.

He used his playoff intensity very well when he closed and he was a dominant closer while he pitched in the pen. No one can argue against that fact for very long.

The big knock against him was that he did not always throw in May, June, July and August like he does in September and October. Well, no one has said that for over a decade now and their must have been a reason, (other than money) that the Braves decided to keep Smoltz as opposed to Maddux and Glavine.

I say he is in, and it would be pretty cool if they all three retired the same year and they ended up being inducted the same year.

Answer 6

Smoltz's career is of Hall of Fame quality

However, anything that "breaks up" a players career can sometimes delay entry into the HOF.

A player who compiles a certain set of lifetime stats while playing with only one team will be thought of more highly than a player who does exactly the same things, but with 2 or 3 different teams.

Playing more than one position can also hurt (or at least delay) a player's HOF chances. A player who plays 1,000 games at 2nd base and 1,000 games at third base will not be thought of as highly as a player who plays 2,000 games at either position, because it is more difficult to form a complete image of what he has done.

In Smoltz's case, his career has been split up by, in effect, playing two different positions (starter and reliever). Two hundred wins is not, in and of itself, a HOF type total, and neither is 150 saves. However, if we're talking about 1 man accomplishing BOTH of those milestones, that's a different case entirely.

Smoltz would certainly be close to 300 wins by now (as is Glavine) had he remained a starter for all those years. And he most likely would have piled up a phenomenal number of saves (especially with the Braves over the years) had he spent his career as a reliever.

When you add that to his record setting postseason performances, I think he'll be a lock for the HOF, and I would put the odds in favor of selction in his first year of eligibility.

What will be remembered most about John Smoltz after he retires is that he was a PITCHER. Not just a great starter...not just a great reliever...but a guy who could just flat out PITCH...in any situation.

Answer 7

Hell yeah he does! 200 wins and 150 saves? If the Braves hadn't have made him a closer, he'd be well on his way to 300 wins. Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux all are gonna be in the Hall.

Answer 8

Come on. asserting John Smoltz would not belong interior the hall of repute is like asserting Dale Earnhardt Sr wasn't sturdy at narcar racing. in simple terms would not make sense. What does he would desire to do to tutor to you that he belongs interior the hall of repute? He replaced right into a beginning Pitcher, and a alleviation Pitcher. 200 wins and a hundred and fifty saves, in user-friendly terms one person has accomplished that, and John Smoltz is that guy.

Answer 9

yes. he is without a doubt smoltz has dominant thoughout his career in atlanta. one world series ring, pitched and been selected to play for the national league all-star team, been a great starting pitcher turned into a outstanding closer, basically a great team player. he was and still is loyal to the braves. if he not inducted into the hall of fame he would be screwed, but that wont happen.smoltz throws great stuff,can give u 7+ innings averaging at least 6-8 strikeouts a game, i would put him in same class as maddux,glavine,the rocket(clemons),schilling and even cy young himself.

Answer 10

Good question.
I believe he is a borderline candidate.
Very good for a long period of time but never a dominant presense like Seaver or Pedro Martinez. He was considered the third best pitcher on the Braves, when they had Maddox and Glavine too.
But, he did a couple of years of relief and has always been a fiery competitor.
I will say NO! He should not be in the HOF but I would understand if he is elected.