John Smoltz
MLB Hall of Fame Pitcher and Cy Young Award Winner · Baseball - MLB
Atlanta Braves
Era
Post-retirement / Modern Era - circa 2010s-2020s
Item Type
Recreational baseball
Condition
Excellent condition with a bold, clear signature and minimal wear to the ball
Rarity
Common; Smoltz signed frequently throughout his career and retirement
Overall Assessment
A clean, highly legible signature of a Hall of Fame pitcher on a standard baseball, making it a great, affordable piece for an Atlanta Braves or baseball memorabilia collector
Authenticity Assessment
Likely authentic based on signature form and fluidity
Signature Style
Full name signature with uniform number 29 appended at the end, fluid cursive strokes
Signature Characteristics
Strong pen pressure, fluent speed with no hesitation marks, clear loop on the initial 'J', and a distinct vertical crossbar on the 't'
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen ink, clean and showing consistent flow
Item Description
Standard white leather baseball with red stitching, featuring stamped text 'CHINA EBB5' near the sweet spot
Estimated Value
50 to 150 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
Matches typical authenticated examples of John Smoltz's post-career signature where he includes his uniform number
Authentication Tips
Look for the characteristic looping 'J', fluid upward slash on the last name, and the proportional '29' at the conclusion
Certification Recommendation
JSA (James Spence Authentication) or PSA/DNA
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; signature flows naturally without signs of halting or tracing
Provenance Notes
Obtained in person or via public signing; lack of formal certificate means third-party authentication is recommended to maximize value
Historical Context
Smoltz was a cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves pitching staff that dominated the National League in the 1990s, winning the 1996 NL Cy Young Award and entering the Hall of Fame in 2015
Market Trends
Stable market for Hall of Fame pitchers from the Atlanta Braves 1990s dynasty era
Investment Potential
Stable hold item; unlikely to experience massive price surges due to ample supply, but a solid piece for any baseball collection
Similar Autographs
Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Chipper Jones
Display & Preservation
Store in a UV-protected acrylic baseball cube away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity
Interesting Facts
Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves