HALL OF FAMER SHARES INSPIRING STORY OF REBUILDING LIFE AFTER UNEXPECTED TURNS
SECAUCUS, NJ—In a segment that left many fans stunned, curious, and deeply hopeful, Braves legend and Hall of Famer John Smoltz appeared on MLB Network and revealed a rarely seen emotional side of himself, opening up candidly about his health, his family, and his spiritual journey after facing unexpected hardship and turns in his life beyond the spotlight.
It wasn’t about pitch sequences or postseason memories this time. Calm, honest, and heartfelt, Smoltz provided a refreshing look at what truly matters to him, moving far past his public role as a dominant pitcher and lead broadcast analyst.
HEALTH: THE GOLF GRIND AND RECOVERY
Smoltz, an avid and elite golfer, spoke frankly about the physical toll his 22-year baseball career—which included Tommy John surgery and multiple shoulder and elbow procedures—continues to take.
- Hip Surgeries: Smoltz confirmed he has recently undergone multiple hip replacement surgeries, a direct result of the wear and tear of pitching at an elite level for two decades.
- Champions Tour Goal: He revealed that his rigorous golf schedule, which includes attempts to qualify for the Champions Tour and the U.S. Senior Open, is now dependent on his full recovery. He shared the hopeful news that he is feeling much better and is focused on competitive play as soon as his body allows.
- Pressure on Pitchers: The conversation naturally led Smoltz to discuss the current rash of pitcher injuries in MLB, where he reaffirmed his belief that the emphasis on velocity and analytics has placed an untenable burden on modern arms, often putting the health of the player secondary to the numbers.
FAMILY AND FAITH: THE CORNERSTONES
The most emotional portion of the broadcast focused on the foundations of his life:
- Honoring His Father: Smoltz spoke movingly about the recent passing of his father, John Adam Smoltz, sharing tender memories and explaining that his decision to continue broadcasting during that difficult time was a way to honor his father’s faith and his desire for his son to “do his job.”
- Finding Faith: He revealed the twists in his career and personal life that led him to find deep faith, explaining how his focus shifted from trying to control every outcome in baseball to surrendering control and trusting a higher power. He openly discussed how his faith helped him rebuild his life after experiencing hardships and continues to guide his priorities as a father.
Smoltz’s transparency left fans with a sense of connection, seeing the human behind the Hall of Fame plaque—a man navigating the same personal challenges of health, loss, and family as anyone else, but doing so with the same disciplined approach he once brought to the mound.
