Is John Smoltz a Hall of Fame pitcher?

Should John Smoltz get elected to the MLB Hall of Fame after he's finished playing? I think he is close to getting what he needs to sway any doubters.

In last night's win against the Nationals, he moved into 21st place on the all-time strikeouts list after fanning seven batters. He now has 2611 strikeouts. If he could stay around and have another two or three good years, he could definitely wind up with 3000 strikeouts. And he now has 180 wins, so two or three years should definitely get him over the 200 mark. Then, you have to take a look at his remarkable stretch as a closer from 2001-2004. He compiled over 150 saves and still owns (shares, actually) the National League saves record for a season with 55 saves in 2002. He has all this and a career ERA of 3.26. Smoltz looks even more impressive when you factor in his success in the postseason (he's the winningest pitcher in postseason history).

To add to these remarkable stats is the fact that he is one of baseball's good guys. He regularly works to raise money for the Atlanta Community Food Bank and was also one of the driving forces behind a Christian high school in the Atlanta area. And after baseball's problem with steroid abuse, it wouldn't hurt for the Hall of Fame to give acts of charity and character issues a little more weight in future decisions.

So I think the case is pretty strong for Smoltz's election to the Hall of Fame. And if he can stay around a little longer and keep performing, it would be difficult for even the toughest cynic to deny him a spot in Cooperstown.