Relive Smoltz's last shutout from 2006
Now's your chance to see John Smoltz construct the last shutout of his Hall of Fame career.
In the 2-0 win the Braves claimed over the Padres on April 15, 2006, Smoltz threw a four-hit shutout and Adam LaRoche hit a solo homer that accounted for one of the two runs San Diego starter Jake Peavy surrendered over seven innings.
After halting his temporary experience as a closer, Smoltz rejoined the Braves’ rotation in 2005 at the age of 38 and proceeded to post a 3.22 ERA over the next three seasons.
Smoltz was 29 years old when he won the National League Cy Young Award in 1996, and he finished among the top seven in balloting for it in both 2006 and ‘07.
Along with having a chance to watch one of the last gems of Smoltz’s storied career, fans might also feel a little bit of nostalgia while watching a Braves team that included Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Wilson Betemit and some other Baby Braves.
Some of the Padres you might be surprised to see in this game include former Braves third baseman Vinny Castilla, current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza. San Diego’s lineup also included Adrian Gonzalez and Brian Giles, whose younger brother Marcus was Atlanta’s leadoff hitter in this contest.