Braves closers: From Pena to Kimbrel

Atlanta Braves

Braves closers: From Pena to Kimbrel

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel just surpassed a saves record previously established by John Smoltz. Here's a look at Atlanta's closers over the past three decades.

Last season, Craig Kimbrel broke a franchise record with his 28th consecutive save, an achievement that surpassed that of another Atlanta great, John Smoltz. Now, Kimbrel aims for another Smoltz record of 154 saves as Braves closer. Here's a look back at Atlanta's other closers over the past three decades.

Alejandro Pena shared the closer's role in 1992, recording a 4.07 ERA and team-high 15 saves in 42 innings.

The 1993 Rookie of the Year runner-up, Greg McMichael earned the closer's role after posting 19 saves and a 2.06 ERA in 91-2/3 innings. In '94, he posted 21 saves and a 3.84 ERA in 58-2/3 innings.

Mike Stanton recorded 55 saves in 289-2/3 career innings for the Braves. Stanton was the primary closer in 1993, posting a 4.67 ERA and 27 saves. Stanton who began his career in Atlanta in 1989 retired in 2007.

Mark Wohlers closed out the World Series for the Braves in 1995. In that championship season, Wohlers had a 2.09 ERA in 64-2/3 innings and 25 saves. He followed up in 1996 with a 3.03 ERA and 39 saves in 77-1/3 innings. In his final year as the Braves' closer he put up a 3.50 ERA and 33 saves in 1997.

Kerry Ligtenberg recorded 20 saves in 1998, while pitching a 2.71 ERA in 73 innings. He underwent Tommy John surgery, missing the 1999 season, and returned in 2000 to pitch three more seasons of middle relief.

John Rocker stepped into the closer's role in 1999 with the absence of Kerry Ligtenberg. That season he recorded 38 saves with a 2.49 ERA in 72-1/3 innings. He added 24 saves in 2000 in 53 innings, but was shipped to Cleveland in 2001 after just 19 saves in 32 innings and a 3.09 ERA.

After John Rocker was traded in midseason 2001, John Smoltz - who was just returning from Tommy John surgery - stepped in in relief, recording a 3.36 ERA and 10 saves over 59 innings. He was named the Braves' closer to start the 2002 season, recording a 3.25 ERA in 80-1/3 innings and 55 saves. In 2003, he posted 45 saves with a 1.12 ERA in 64-1/3 innings. Smoltz has a 2.76 ERA in 81-2/3 innings and 44 saves in 2004, his final year in the bullpen. Smotlz returned to the starting rotation in 2005.

The Braves acquired Dan Kolb after the 2004 season when it was apparent Smoltz was returning to the rotation. In 2005 he posted a 5.93 ERA, and 11 saves in 57-2/3 innings. He went back to the Brewers in 2006.

Chris Reitsma shared the closer's role with Dan Kolb in 2005. Reitsma had 15 saves in 2005, pitching a 3.93 ERA in 72-1/3 innings. Reitsma was named the starting closer for the 2006 season, but lost the job after posting a 8.68 ERA and eight saves in 28 inning.

Bob Wickman arrived in Atlanta in midseason in 2006. He had 18 saves while recording a 1.04 ERA in 26 innings. He signed a one-year extension to stay in Atlanta for the 2007 season, but pitched in 43-2/3 innings - recording a 3.92 ERA and 20 saves - before being released.

Traded to the Braves in 2007, Mike Gonzalez pitched in only 17 innings before having to undergo Tommy John Surgery. He returned in 2008, posting 14 saves with a 4.28 ERA in 33-2/3 innings. He added 10 mores saves in 2009, but was shifted out of the closer's role with the advent of Rafael Soriano.

Rafael Soriano came to the Braves in 2007, pitching in 72 innings of relief. He missed the 2008 season due to elbow surgery and returned in 2009 to share the closer's role with Mike Gonzalez, recording 27 savs in 75-2/3 innings and a 2.97 ERA.

Billy Wagner pitched the final season of his 16-year major league career in Atlanta in 2010. A flame-thrower who could still top 100 mph, Wagner posted a 1.43 EAR over 69-1/3 innings and 27 saves.

Craig Kimbrel has led the league in saves since his 2011 Rookie of the Year campaign. In 2012 he had a 1.01 ERA in 62-2/3 innings and 42 saves.

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Last season, Craig Kimbrel broke a franchise record with his 28th consecutive save, an achievement that surpassed that of another Atlanta great, John Smoltz. Now, Kimbrel aims for another Smoltz record of 154 saves as Braves closer. Here's a look back at Atlanta's other closers over the past three decades.

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