Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz will return to Richmond to throw out the ceremonial first pitch opening night for the Flying Squirrels on April 4, 2025, the team announced Monday.

Smoltz, who pitched for the Richmond Braves in 1987 and 1988, will headline the season opener against the Akron RubberDucks at The Diamond. 

The game begins at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m. Smoltz’s first pitch is scheduled for approximately 6:30 p.m. 

A limited number of VIP meet and greet packages are available for $150, including a field-level ticket, pre-game buffet, commemorative keepsake, and a photo and autograph with Smoltz. 

  

“We’ve been fortunate to have some incredible opening night guests over the past 14 seasons, but this one is truly historic,” said Flying Squirrels Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Ben Rothrock. 

As a 20-year-old prospect in 1987, Smoltz was traded from the Tigers to the Braves. He pitched three games in Richmond to close the 1987 season and returned to make 20 starts in 1988 before his MLB debut. 

During his 21-year major league career, Smoltz won 213 games, recorded 154 saves and struck out 3,084 batters. He was an eight-time National League All-Star, won the 1996 NL Cy Young Award and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Tickets are available at SquirrelsBaseball.com/tickets. All 14 home openers have sold out previously.