Widely regarded as one of the most remarkable pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, John Smoltz is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. During his decorated career, Smoltz earned eight All-Star appearances and added an NL Cy Young Award in 1996 to go along with a 1992 NCLS MVP and contributed toward a World Series victory. Although this is impressive alone, one not-so-strange accolade that avoided him was the no-hitter.
Closest No-Hit Bid
One of Smoltz's closest calls for a no-hitter came on May 27, 1990, in Philadelphia against the Phillies. He had a no-hitter pitched through eight and one-third innings before he gave up a single hit with one out remaining.
Comparisons With Other Notable Pitchers
Unlike Smoltz, some of his peers, like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, other famous Atlanta Braves pitchers throughout the 1990s and 2000s, never notched a no-hitter. Thus, this comparison shows how no-hitters are indeed rare and that even the best pitchers in one of their eras were at a standstill.
The Importance of No-Hitters in MLB
Rightfully so, no-hitters have always been among the most refreshing and lauded feats in baseball. Smoltz's lack of a no-hitter during his illustrious career did little to tarnish his legacy as one of MLB's best pitchers with 213 wins, 3,000+ strikeouts, notching both a World Series championship ring and Cy Young Award to boot.
Despite all the lofty accomplishments during his ground-breaking career as an MLB pitcher, John Smoltz's name won't be found on any no-hitter list. He may not have created this particular milestone, but Smoltz left an indelible mark as one of the greatest pitchers the fame has ever seen, and his impact on baseball was unmistakable.
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