It’s reported that Smoltz is a Republican, though not a very vocal one like Schilling. Smoltz also had four great seasons as a closer so that may have tipped the scales. I think he’s the only MLB pitcher to have 200 wins as a starter and 150 saves as a closer. That’s quite a feat in itself.
Yeah, his work as a closer later in his career certainly made all the difference.
Looking back on it, it’s amazing to think of a pitching staff like the Braves had during the 90s with 3 Hall of Fame pitchers. Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz. If they had better relief pitching and maybe a better hitter or two, they could have won 4 or 5 World Series titles, rather than one. They really were something special then. Maddux was nothing short of incredible.