Legendary Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is one of the best baseball players of his era, having dominated in MLB for an astounding 21 seasons. After more than two decades toeing the rubber, Smoltz retired in 2009 at the age of 42.
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Smoltz has stayed around baseball since retiring, however. The 54-year-old works as an MLB analyst and sportscaster for Fox Sports and the MLB Network. Considering his lengthy career and his time as a broadcaster, you'd be right to assume that "Smoltzie" has amassed himself a vast fortune.
So, just how rich is John Smoltz?
John Smoltz' MLB Career
John Andrew Smoltz's birthplace is Warren, Michigan. The American baseball pitcher grew up in Lansing, where he attended Waverly High School. Smoltz was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd round of the 1985 MLB Draft, starting the youngster on his path to becoming a professional baseball player straight out of high school.
Smoltz was traded in 1987. The Tigers shipped off the Double-A pitcher to the Braves in exchange for Doyle Alexander. Something tells me they wound up regretting that move.
In 1989, Smoltzie's first full season in Major League Baseball, the then-22-year-old recorded a 2.94 ERA and made his first career All-Star Game.
For the next 11 seasons, Smoltz would rack up three more All-Star appearances. His best season came in 1996 when he won a league-best 24 games and recorded a 2.94 ERA and 276 strikeouts. That year, Smoltz won the National League Cy Young Award and was even in the top 15 in MVP voting. The three-headed monster of Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Greg Maddux became notorious around the league.
Smoltz managed to play in five World Series throughout his career but won just one of them. He reached the mountaintop in 1996 when the Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Championship Series and followed it up with a World Series win over the Cleveland Indians.
This day in #Braves history in 1988: Hall of Famer John Smoltz makes his big-league debut!#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/vTwQLwLR2M
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 23, 2018
In 2000, Smoltz missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. He returned in 2001 but was utilized in relief, acting as the Braves closer in 2001.
It was a bold move that paid off, and Smoltz ended up becoming the second player in MLB history to achieve both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. Only Dennis Eckersley had achieved the feat before Smoltz. Additionally, Smoltz is the only player in major league history with more than 200 wins and 150 saves.
After a few seasons as an MLB All-Star caliber reliever, Smoltz retook his starting role and returned to being a starting pitcher in 2005. He made two more All-Star Games in 2005 and 2007 before finally leaving Atlanta after 21 seasons in 2008.
He signed with the Boston Red Sox and finished his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009 before announcing his retirement.
Smoltz was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, entering Cooperstown in a class alongside fellow Hall of Famers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and Craig Biggio.
According to Spotrac, he earned more than $135 million in MLB contracts during his career.
John Smoltz's Personal Life
RELATED: John Smoltz's Divorce Didn't Stop Him From Finding Love Again
John Smoltz married his first wife, Dyan Struble, in the early 1990s. The pair were together for 16 years and had four children together: Kelly Christina, Carly Maria, Rachel Elizabeth, and son John Andrew Smoltz Jr. Smoltz and Struble divorced in 2007.
In 2009, Smoltz married his wife Kathryn Darden at a small ceremony in Georgia. The couple remains together to this day.
In his spare time, you can most likely find Smoltzie on the links. An avid golfer, Smoltz's close friend Tiger Woods once called him "the best golfer outside the PGA."
John Smoltz's Net Worth
After two decades of pitching in the pros and a solid career as a sportscaster, Smoltz lives life in luxury. According to Celebrity Net Worth, John Smoltz boasts an estimated net worth of $60 million.
Smoltz showed that a long baseball career certainly pays handsomely. He's still in the game today, but he could retire and play as much golf as he wanted to at any time.
