ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
He's one of the greatest pitchers of all time. During 20 years with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz earned a World Series Title, a Cy Young Award and more than 200 wins. Friday night the team said thank you by inducting him into the Braves Hall Of Fame and retiring his number. Fans gave Smoltz a standing ovation.
"I have good memories of John Smoltz growing up as a kid. I idolized him. He is a great guy," said John Callen, a Braves fan.
Smoltz was part of a legendary rotation from the early 1990s - a group that captured the hearts of a city longing for a winner.
"I grew up in Atlanta and I love the Braves. I always watched them, Smoltz, Maddux, Steve Avery, it was just fun watching them as a kid. The World Series back in 1995, I don't think anybody forgot that living in Atlanta," Callen said.
At a luncheon honoring Smoltz Friday afternoon, there was not an open seat in sight as some Braves greats returned to pay their respects to a fellow legend.
"I remember looking out there and I am catching a guy I grew up cheering for. I cheered for all of them. Baseball in Atlanta was huge back then and to be able to catch him was an honor," said Brian McCann, a catcher with the Braves.
Fans said Smoltz will never be forgotten.
"I wish he was still pitching for the Braves. It was good having him on the team," said John Long, a Braves fan.
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