John Smoltz Inducted Into Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame; No. 29 Retired
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they will be retiring John Smoltz's No. 29 jersey when the record-breaking baseball player is inducted into the Brave's Hall of Fame on June 8 at the Turner Field.
"For this to happen is an incredible feeling that has yet to sink in…," Smoltz expressed to reporters, according to AJC.com "This is just something that brings to full circle what it means to be in Atlanta and to have played all those years in the Atlanta Braves organization. I bleed the uniform that I wore and hope that I honored it the best way I could."
Smoltz, born in 1967, is so far the only pitcher in major league history to top both 200 wins and 160 saves, and was the 16th player to reach the milestone of having struck out 3,000 or more batters in their careers, The Associated Press reported. Smoltz spent 20 years with the Atlanta Braves, where he helped the team win a record 14 straight division titles in the 1990s and 2000s, then played briefly for Boston and St. Louis during the twilight of his career.
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A total of eight Braves players have had the honor of having their jerseys retired (meaning that no other player on the team will be able to wear the same numbered jersey,) including Greg Maddux (No. 31) and Tom Glavine (No. 47), who were also instrumental players of Atlanta's historic team of the 90s and 2000s.
An extended report by AJC.com noted that Smoltz once threw a fastball clocked at 98 mph, and was famous for using a variety of different throwing techniques in his game, including the slider, the split-finger fastball, the strikeout pitch, the curveball and change-up.
"Honestly, that really is what this is about," the baseball star added. "Those fans from all over, you can never thank them enough for all the support. They rode the roller coaster with me."
The June ceremony will also kick-off a three-game series between the Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays.
