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• Updated May 14, 2026 at 5:46pm

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 6: Starting pitcher John Smoltz #29 of the Atlanta Braves begins his windup against the Houston Astros in Game Two of the 2005 National League Division Series on October 6, 2005 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. Smoltz recorded his 15th post-season victory to break his own record of 14 previously tied with Andy Pettitte of the Astros as the Braves defeated the Astros 7-1 to even the series at 1-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

On Wednesday night, the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs by a score of 4-1 at Truist Park in Georgia.

The Braves now have a 2-0 lead in the series, and will look to go for the sweep on Thursday.

Braves Legend Almost Signed With Yankees

GettyJohn Smoltz #29 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on April 9, 2006 in San Francisco, California. The Giants defeated the Braves 6-5.

During their series with the Cubs, an interview with Baseball Hall of Famer (and Braves legend) John Smoltz was released by The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman.

In the interview, Smoltz revealed he almost left the Braves for the New York Yankees during the middle of his legendary career.

Smoltz: “I was there… The negotiations didn’t go well in Atlanta… He offered me $52 million over four years to go with the Yankees, and I wasn’t getting anywhere close to that with the Braves… At one point, I called my agent and said, call the Yankees. Tell them I’m going.”

For fans, seeing Smoltz on the Yankees during the prime of his career is an intriguing thing to think about.

He was one of the best pitchers of his era.

Social Media Reacts

GettyJohn Smoltz #29 of the Atlanta Braves walks off the field after an inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field September 2, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Here’s what people were saying on social media:

@TheDougRush: “John Smoltz was nearly a Yankee. Wow.”

@Chris_Vaughn95: “Remember this well and was so glad Smoltz stayed. I was ready to move on from baseball had he taken the Yankees money.”

@Daxs19: “I’m glad Smoltz never ever signed with yankees”

@NoAlgae69: “No 2004 collapse if that deal goes through”

Jon Heyman: “John Smoltz tells us here he was sure he’d be a Yankee when they offered $52M and the Braves were at $21M, and why he stayed”

Smoltz’s MLB Career

GettyJohn Smoltz #29 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the New York Mets on September 6, 2006 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Smoltz spent the first 20 years of his career with the Braves.

He made eight All-Star Games and won the 1996 Cy Young Award.

In addition, Smoltz helped lead the Braves to the 1995 World Series Championship.

GettyBraves pitcher John Smoltz bunts the ball during action between the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinios on May 28, 2006.

Following the Braves, Smoltz spent his final MLB season with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.

Over 723 career games, he went 213-155 with a 3.33 ERA (and 154 saves).