Say it ain’t so, Smoltz

John Smoltz’s career with the Braves is apparently over.

The iconic Atlanta pitcher, who’s recovering from June shoulder surgery, has agreed to a contract to pitch for the Boston Red Sox and will inform the Braves of his decision today, according to reports late Wednesday night.

ESPN said Smoltz, a free agent, will get a contract worth $5.5 million guaranteed from the Red Sox, with additional incentives worth up to $5 million.

Smoltz, who will be 42 in May, has spent his entire 21-year major league career with the Braves, pitching in more than 700 games and recording 210 wins and 154 saves —- the only pitcher in history to win at least 200 games and save at least 150.

He had said many times in the past year that he wanted to finish his career with the Braves, but the team had not yet offered a major league contract to Smoltz and wasn’t expected to offer him anywhere near the amount that the Red Sox have reportedly guaranteed him.

Smoltz made $14 million last season and had a 2.00 ERA in five starts before throbbing pain in his shoulder forced him to the disabled list.

He tried to come back as a closer, but after one painful appearance he went back to the DL and announced he would have shoulder surgery.

The procedure on his rotator cuff and labrum was considered career-threatening, and wear and tear to Smoltz’s labrum was extensive.

But the stalwart pitcher, who’d already come back from four career elbow surgeries, came back from this one quicker than expected.

Smoltz was back throwing off a mound the first week of December, greatly impressing observers including Braves manager Bobby Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell.

Still, Braves general manager Frank Wren wanted to wait longer before committing to a 2009 contract for Smoltz.

The pitcher, who has declined interview requests most of the winter, apparently had tired of waiting for the Braves to make him an offer and found Boston’s proposal too good to pass up.

At least six teams were known to have expressed interest in Smoltz, even though he might not be ready to pitch until May. He would join a deep and talented Boston rotation, and the Red Sox hope the winningest postseason pitcher in history will be ready to help them in the second half and the playoffs.

Meanwhile, in what’s already been a troublesome offseason for the Braves, they could now take the biggest public-relations hit in recent years. Smoltz is a hugely popular figure in Atlanta, one of the city’s all-time favorite athletes.

He turned down more money to remain with the Braves in the past.

Now, it appears he’s leaving because Atlanta, the only team he ever pitched for in the majors, wasn’t ready or willing to offer anything remotely close to what a team with no previous connections to Smoltz was ready to offer him.