Looks Like the Best Closer I Ever Saw Is Finally Through

[Pink Freud]

I see Craig Kimbrel signed back with the Braves, where he had five absolutely lights-out seasons as their closer before moving on to seven other teams, where he was increasingly less effective, no longer being trusted as a closer several years ago.

He pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Atlanta Friday...then was released. I haven't seen any backstory, but I wonder if this was arranged to allow him to retire as a Brave. Then again...the Braves addressed their disappointing season last week by firing their third base coach.

Look at Kimbrel's five seasons (plus Friday's one inning) as a Brave, and tell me any closer, at any time, was better: A 1.43 ERA and 477 Ks in 290 IP, so 60.8% of his outs with the Braves were strikeouts. I've never seen anyone better.

Now....is he a Hall of Famer?

[craviduce]

I see Craig Kimbrel signed back with the Braves, where he had five absolutely lights-out seasons as their closer before moving on to seven other teams, where he was increasingly less effective, no longer being trusted as a closer several years ago.

He pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Atlanta Friday...then was released. I haven't seen any backstory, but I wonder if this was arranged to allow him to retire as a Brave. Then again...the Braves addressed their disappointing season last week by firing their third base coach.

Look at Kimbrel's five seasons (plus Friday's one inning) as a Brave, and tell me any closer, at any time, was better: A 1.43 ERA and 477 Ks in 290 IP.

Now....is he a Hall of Famer?

Spider Tac spokesperson

eventually? yeah? 10 seasons on ballot, writers can cast 10 votes each season...Relievers have a better chance now on induction. 8-10th year of eligibility is my guess.

[rockondlouie]

M. Rivera was close

2002 - 2008

317 GP
1.83 ERA
0.98 WHiP
198 Saves

Two Top 3 CY finishes

[Futuregm2]

I see Craig Kimbrel signed back with the Braves, where he had five absolutely lights-out seasons as their closer before moving on to seven other teams, where he was increasingly less effective, no longer being trusted as a closer several years ago.

He pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Atlanta Friday...then was released. I haven't seen any backstory, but I wonder if this was arranged to allow him to retire as a Brave. Then again...the Braves addressed their disappointing season last week by firing their third base coach.

Look at Kimbrel's five seasons (plus Friday's one inning) as a Brave, and tell me any closer, at any time, was better: A 1.43 ERA and 477 Ks in 290 IP, so 60.8% of his outs with the Braves were strikeouts. I've never seen anyone better.

Now....is he a Hall of Famer?

2012-2016 Aroldis Chapman

12.4 bWAR
1.84 ERA
0.94 WHIP
15.7 K/9
546 K’s in 313.2 IP


Mariano Rivera had a 1.86 ERA/0.93 WHIP over a 9 year period from 2003-2011.

Emmanuel Clase had a 1.67 ERA/0.89 WHIP over his first 5 seasons from 2019-2024

[moose-and-squirrel]

who was the smaller lefty that pitched for houston, iirc?

dude was lights out

[45s]

who was the smaller lefty that pitched for houston, iirc?

dude was lights out

Billy Wagner who was just elected to the Hall

[moose-and-squirrel]

who was the smaller lefty that pitched for houston, iirc?

dude was lights out

Billy Wagner who was just elected to the Hall

that's it! thx!!

dude was totally money

[rockondlouie]

D. Eckersley

1988 - 1992

310 Games
1.90 ERA
0.79 WHiP
220 Saves
378 KO's

[rockondlouie]

I see Craig Kimbrel signed back with the Braves, where he had five absolutely lights-out seasons as their closer before moving on to seven other teams, where he was increasingly less effective, no longer being trusted as a closer several years ago.

He pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Atlanta Friday...then was released. I haven't seen any backstory, but I wonder if this was arranged to allow him to retire as a Brave. Then again...the Braves addressed their disappointing season last week by firing their third base coach.

Look at Kimbrel's five seasons (plus Friday's one inning) as a Brave, and tell me any closer, at any time, was better: A 1.43 ERA and 477 Ks in 290 IP, so 60.8% of his outs with the Braves were strikeouts. I've never seen anyone better.

Now....is he a Hall of Famer?

2012-2016 Aroldis Chapman

12.4 bWAR
1.84 ERA
0.94 WHIP
15.7 K/9
546 K’s in 313.2 IP


Mariano Rivera had a 1.86 ERA/0.93 WHIP over a 9 year period from 2003-2011.

Emmanuel Clase had a 1.67 ERA/0.89 WHIP over his first 5 seasons from 2019-2024

J. Hader had a 0.85 WHiP, a 15.4 K/9 and 482 K's in his first 5 seasons from 2017 - 2021

[moose-and-squirrel]

I see Craig Kimbrel signed back with the Braves, where he had five absolutely lights-out seasons as their closer before moving on to seven other teams, where he was increasingly less effective, no longer being trusted as a closer several years ago.

He pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Atlanta Friday...then was released. I haven't seen any backstory, but I wonder if this was arranged to allow him to retire as a Brave. Then again...the Braves addressed their disappointing season last week by firing their third base coach.

Look at Kimbrel's five seasons (plus Friday's one inning) as a Brave, and tell me any closer, at any time, was better: A 1.43 ERA and 477 Ks in 290 IP, so 60.8% of his outs with the Braves were strikeouts. I've never seen anyone better.

Now....is he a Hall of Famer?

2012-2016 Aroldis Chapman

12.4 bWAR
1.84 ERA
0.94 WHIP
15.7 K/9
546 K’s in 313.2 IP


Mariano Rivera had a 1.86 ERA/0.93 WHIP over a 9 year period from 2003-2011.

Emmanuel Clase had a 1.67 ERA/0.89 WHIP over his first 5 seasons from 2019-2024

J. Hader had a 0.85 WHiP, a 15.4 K/9 and 482 K's in his first 5 seasons from 2017 - 2021

Hader was a beast

[Futuregm2]

I see Craig Kimbrel signed back with the Braves, where he had five absolutely lights-out seasons as their closer before moving on to seven other teams, where he was increasingly less effective, no longer being trusted as a closer several years ago.

He pitched one inning of scoreless ball for Atlanta Friday...then was released. I haven't seen any backstory, but I wonder if this was arranged to allow him to retire as a Brave. Then again...the Braves addressed their disappointing season last week by firing their third base coach.

Look at Kimbrel's five seasons (plus Friday's one inning) as a Brave, and tell me any closer, at any time, was better: A 1.43 ERA and 477 Ks in 290 IP, so 60.8% of his outs with the Braves were strikeouts. I've never seen anyone better.

Now....is he a Hall of Famer?

2012-2016 Aroldis Chapman

12.4 bWAR
1.84 ERA
0.94 WHIP
15.7 K/9
546 K’s in 313.2 IP


Mariano Rivera had a 1.86 ERA/0.93 WHIP over a 9 year period from 2003-2011.

Emmanuel Clase had a 1.67 ERA/0.89 WHIP over his first 5 seasons from 2019-2024

J. Hader had a 0.85 WHiP, a 15.4 K/9 and 482 K's in his first 5 seasons from 2017 - 2021

That’s a great one, too.

[Strummer Jones]

I'd like to see relief pitchers get more props in the hall.

When you think about it, how many relief pitchers ever last more than a few seasons? Not many. And maybe this is a hot topic, but I think guys who aren't necessarily thought of as closers need consideration. Take David Robertson for example. The guy's had a heck of a long career--16 seasons--and was never bad. He was a closer for some of it, but he's always been a guy you can count on to be a stabilizer in the bullpen. And he's been that for sixteen years. That's almost unheard of.

[Absolut]

Excuse to show…

[Absolut]

2002-03 Eric Gagne was ridiculous.

[moose-and-squirrel]

2002-03 Eric Gagne was ridiculous.

wasnt he a PEDs guy?

[JDW]

who was the smaller lefty that pitched for houston, iirc?

dude was lights out

Billy Wagner who was just elected to the Hall

that's it! thx!!

dude was totally money

And somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but was Wagner righthanded when he was young, but hurt his R. arm so became a left handed pitcher?