Let’s talk about Billy Wagner’s long-overdue induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame—and why that might just be the domino that eventually lands former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel in Cooperstown as well.
Now, Wagner spent just one season with the Atlanta Braves, back in 2010, before hanging up his cleats.
But his enshrinement this year has ignited a fresh conversation about modern-day closers and where they fit into the Hall of Fame discussion.
And if Wagner is in, the case for Kimbrel—who started his career with Atlanta and has been one of the most dominant closers of his era—just got a whole lot stronger.
The Athletic’s Jayson Stark recently broke it all down, comparing Wagner to Kimbrel, along with other top-tier closers like Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman.
He put it bluntly: when it comes to Hall of Fame closers, you’ve got Mariano Rivera, and then you’ve got everybody else.
But he made an important point—Wagner’s induction doesn’t lower the standard for closers; it simply acknowledges a level of dominance that Kimbrel and others have also reached.
Kimbrel’s Career Numbers Stack Up Against Wagner’s
Statistically, Wagner was a beast. He finished second only to Rivera in ERA+ and opponent OPS+, both of which measure how effectively a pitcher limits runs and keeps hitters in check.
However, Kimbrel, Jansen, and Chapman hold their own in other analytical categories, showing just how comparable they are to Wagner.
And let’s talk numbers. Kimbrel has racked up 440 saves (and counting) over 15 seasons, surpassing Wagner’s career total of 422. Kimbrel’s prime? Absolutely electric.
During his years with the Braves from 2011 to 2014, he led the entire MLB in saves for four straight seasons.
He made his mark in Atlanta, logging a ridiculous 1.43 ERA and 186 saves in just five years.
A Career Defined by Dominance
Beyond Atlanta, Kimbrel continued his All-Star dominance with the Red Sox, Padres, and other stops along the way. He’s a nine-time All-Star compared to Wagner’s seven selections.
And while Wagner had one more 30-save season, Kimbrel actually led the league in saves four times—something Wagner never did.
Kimbrel has also shown remarkable consistency across multiple franchises, a testament to his longevity.
Even in recent years, he has remained a key bullpen weapon, earning All-Star nods in 2021 and 2023.
Is Cooperstown in Kimbrel’s Future?
So, does Wagner’s Hall of Fame induction open the door for Kimbrel? It certainly feels that way.
The precedent is set, and if Kimbrel can add a little more longevity to his already stellar career, there’s a strong argument that he, too, deserves a plaque in Cooperstown.
And if that happens, you can bet Braves fans will be celebrating once again.
