It was a notable week for the core of Atlanta's rotation from its 14-year playoff run. John Smoltz recorded his 3,000th strikeout, all of them with Atlanta; Greg Maddux made a second bid at career win No. 350; and Tom Glavine ended up on the DL for the first time in 20-plus seasons.

Rangers starter Kevin Millwood spent six seasons learning from the trio. He says: "They all had something different that's pushed them to this point. But one thing they have in common is they all work extremely hard in their own ways, and they do a number of things to constantly make themselves better."

Here's a look at their remarkable careers, which seem to just keep going and going and going.

Age: 42

Stats: 303-200 (.602) in 672 starts; 3.50 ERA; 2,576 Ks; 4,361 1/3 IP

Cy Young awards: Two (1991, 1998)

Most amazing accomplishment: Five 20-win seasons in last 20 years are most in baseball.

Also amazing: One of three members of modern-era 300-win club to never have a 200-strikeout season, along with Warren Spahn (high of 191) and Early Wynn (184). Glavine's high: 192 in 1991. ... Tied with Andy Pettitte for most postseason innings pitched (218 1/3 ) and second to Smoltz in postseason wins (14).

Millwood says: "He never gives in to a situation."

Age: Turns 41 on May 15

Stats: 210-146 (.590) in 465 starts (706 games); 154 saves in 168 attempts (91.7 percent); 3,006 Ks; 3,390 IP

Most amazing accomplishment: Only pitcher to win at least 200 games and save 150.

Also amazing: Save percentage ranks second to Eric Gagne (92.9) all-time among pitchers with at least 150 opportunities. ... Fourth pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts with one club. Others: Walter Johnson (3,508) with Washington Senators; Bob Gibson (3,117) with St. Louis; Steve Carlton (3,031) with Philadelphia.

Millwood says: "He keeps coming back from injuries and he still has some of the best stuff I've ever seen."

Age: 42

Stats: 349-215 (.619 winning percentage) in 716 games (712 starts); 3.12 ERA, 3,292 Ks, 4,846 1/3 IP

Cy Young awards: Four (1992-95)

Most amazing accomplishment: Four consecutive Cy Young awards. Only other pitcher to do that: Randy Johnson.

Still out there: Needs five wins to pass Roger Clemens for second-most wins in live ball era (since 1920), 14 to tie Warren Spahn. ... Needs five more starts to pass Phil Niekro (716) for third-most starts in modern era. Nolan Ryan (773) has the most.

Millwood says: "Nobody knows the game as well as him. He has an ability to pick hitters apart."