John Smoltz reveals the only way Braves’ dominance continues, talks MLB analytics, pro golf career, Banana Ball, NIL, and more

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John Smoltz reveals the only way Braves’ dominance continues, talks MLB analytics, pro golf career, Banana Ball, NIL, and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Legendary Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is confident the franchise he spent two decades with could keep up its MLB-best pace right now and remain just ahead of the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers by October. Of course, only if Atlanta’s health permits.

The Hall of Fame starter/closer and I discussed several topics regarding the MLB, as well as his burgeoning golf career, in support of NBC’s 2026 American Century Championship. The ACC takes place July 8-12 at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada.

Smoltz is one of over 90 celebrities in the field, and one of the common favorites participants have been predicting to win it all. He’s also near the final stage of qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open, which takes place a week before the ACC. He last qualified for the U.S. Senior Open in 2018.

Smoltz and I talked about the Braves, MLB analytics and how the Miami Marlins integrate it, Banana Ball as an option for players during a potential lockout, NIL, and more.

On what the Braves need to do to remain the MLB’s best team ahead of the Dodgers…

“Simply staying healthy. Their roster's very good. It's good enough to win a championship. They have to stay healthy. That's the question that every team has to answer. If they don't have enough depth and their injuries pile up, then they don't have a chance…

“And that's going to be basically the difference between this year and last year. Everything that could've gone wrong did last year. Everybody that could’ve gotten hurt did. And right now they're living off the privilege of being healthy.”

On analytics’ effects on the MLB…

“I think when anything is new, and it's integrated, it's kind of exciting. You see the evolution of it, then when it goes too far, the pendulum will always swing back. I don't think that's the case in this instance…

“A lot of smart people have gotten themselves in a position where they have all the answers, and they don't ask any questions, and maybe it's become a little bit arrogant in the attitude of 'we've got all the answers.' So analytics in and of itself has value, but it's out of balance right now. It's literally ruining a position in our sport, pitchers, and they’re doing nothing about it…

“They know they can't, so they don't deal with it. They don't talk about it. They just want the next guy up. And so whenever you're trying to manage a system or a league based on what’s on paper, and you've never played the game, you don't understand how it correlates. You run the risk of exactly what's happening right now…

“Basically, a shuffling of the deck of players. Next guy up. We know that the pitchers are going to get hurt, and the information has driven the game into a place where it's unsustainable. That's my problem with analytics. It's not that I'm against every aspect of it. It's that most of the directors that are filing misinformation and handing it down are now making major decisions on behalf of players' careers…

“That's when it gets very difficult for me to transition into the reward system that is there for the players. The players are chasing it. It's not the players' fault. It's what they have to do based on the reward system. I say that it's flawed, but until I'm in a position to change that, which I never will be, I can only comment and tell you that analytics in and of itself has value, but only with balance.”

On how he would’ve handled the way the Marlins use analytics for nearly every pitch…

“No player today, no young player, has control over their career, unless they're given a nine-year contract. You're basically subjected to the information that drives your career. You don't get to do what you think is right. You would never hear my name if I were a pitcher today starting out in an analytical world…

“They would ask me to throw 99 to 100 (miles per hour), which I could, and then I'd break down several times, and you would never know my name…I'm glad I played when I did; I controlled my own career. I had influence in what I was doing, and it was about making decisions that would advance my career, but we also had a different reward system then.”

On if Banana Ball could be a viable alternative for MLB players if there were a lockout in 2027…

“You know, that's an interesting question. I have no idea the dynamics of what is in the mix for the Savannah Bananas (and Banana Ball). I think they're a unique and special group that has proven what you can do with an entertainment-centric baseball product, and at the same time utilizing their skill set…

“So, I think what used to be kind of a little goofy is now sold out everywhere you go. They’ve done a great job marketing, and no matter what happens with Major League Baseball, they're still going to flourish with whatever they utilize or whatever they're able to come up with. They've done a nice job establishing themselves.”

On if his career path would’ve been different had NIL existed when he committed to Michigan State, but ultimately went pro instead…

“I can tell you right now that this is a situation where, like everything else, when you go beyond what's normal, you create a Pandora's box; now it's out of control. So there is no balance again with NIL…

“The ability to attract and secure players is totally different than what it was when I was playing. And, you know, I get it. It’s another reward system. We could argue all day, whether it's good or bad. I think it's just over the top. So somewhere in the middle is where there needs to be a sweet spot.”

On carrying the weight of being one of the favorites in the 2026 American Century Championship…

“It's a matter of being able to find a way to make putts to get it done because I'm not getting any younger.”

On who in the 2026 American Century Championship field he sees as the favorites…

“Mardy Fish, Joe Pavelski, Steph Curry, there's a lot of guys that fall into that category that I'm going to have to be really, really good to beat any of those guys. I know that that's part of the deal, but I just think that the event is so good that it brings out the best in everybody.”

On potentially qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open and playing back-to-back tournaments in Columbus, Ohio, and Stateline, Nevada, this summer…

“That'd be a dream scenario for me. My goal in golf is to see what competitive levels I can get to and advance appropriately, and there would be nothing greater than to make another U.S. Senior Open. It's one of the greatest accomplishments I've ever had, six or seven years ago….

“A lot has changed with my body. I have two new hips. I had a bunch of procedures done. I feel like I got about five to six years left in real high-level competitive golf, and I just want to take it as high as I can…

“So that would be the dream scenario. The crazy schedule that I have and trying to navigate all of this in the middle of it…I can say without my wife, there's no chance. She gives me the opportunity to play golf and pursue passions that are well beyond what my sport already created. So, without her, there's no chance that I could have this much fun, and have this much competition, and be able to reach the levels that I have.”

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