The End?

Yesterday, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz announced he would have season-ending shoulder surgery. While Smoltz claims he desires to play at least one more season, the possibility of his return remains unlikely. The chance of a 41 year old being able to return from major shoulder surgery is highly unlikely. With that being said, we may have seen the last of the terrific career of John Smoltz.

As the only pitcher in Major League Baseball history with over 200 wins and 150 saves, Smoltz is ticketed for Cooperstown. However, not only did Smoltz achieve great personal success as the 1996 Cy Young Award winner and the 2002 Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, he was an essential part of the Braves string of 14 consectutive National League East division championships and the Braves 1995 World Series title. Without Smoltz, the Braves would not have come close to winning 14 consecutive division titles, and they certainly would never have even advanced to the World Series, let alone win it.

Smoltz, though, never let all of his success get in the way to be a great teammate. Throughout his 19 years as a Brave, Smoltz exemplified being a classy and modest teammate. Despite often being overlooked by fans, teammates, and opposing teams because he pitched behind Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Smoltz never once complained. In 2001, when the Braves desperately needed someone to step in and be a relief pitcher, Smoltz was more than willing to fill the vacancy. Even though people doubted him in his new role, Smoltz quickly became one of the best closers in all of baseball, racking up 55 saves in 2002, 45 in 2004 and 44 in 2005. The next year, Smoltz went back to starting, placing his career on the line to try to help the Braves continue their streak of 14 straight division titles.

Although the Braves have not won another division title since 2005, Smoltz has still done everything in his power to put the Braves back on top of the NL East, right where they belong. After the 2006 season and a third place finish, the first year since 1990 that the Braves did not make a playoff appearance, Smoltz had the oppurtunity to bolt Atlanta as a free agent, yet he chose to stay even as Atlanta moved in a rebuilding direction. This season, Smoltz's tutelage is finally paying dividends. By being the leader in the clubhouse and the teammate that everyone looks up to, Smoltz has helped Atlanta's younger players make a successful transition to the Major Leagues. Smoltz has been a major role model to young Braves like Jair Jurrjens, Brian McCann, and Jeff Francoeur, all of whom represent the next generation for the Braves. Today, Atlanta sits just 3.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East.

If the Braves can stay in the thick of the race come September, the Braves will sorely miss Smoltz's leadership and experience, which are things that could cost the Braves a trip to the playoffs. September and October baseball games used to always promise John Smoltz pitching for the Atlanta Braves. Now, we may never see that again. Smoltz's days being a role model to his teammates, a leader in the clubhouse, and a classy man are most likely finished. While yesterday was not officially the end of Smoltz's big league career, it was certainly a strong signal showing the future Hall of Famer his last stop before Cooperstown during his storied 19 year career. One of the greatest pitchers and teammates of this era may have walked off the mound for the final time.