Who is the Best Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher Ever? Cast Your Vote

Relief pitching has changed more than almost any other job in baseball. Early Braves firemen were expected to work multiple innings, inherited runners routinely, and sometimes finish games that modern closers would not enter until the ninth. Later came the one-inning specialists, the 100-mph fastballs, the entrance music, and October bullpens capable of turning a six-inning start into a victory.

That evolution makes this one of the most entertaining debates in the series. Craig Kimbrel owns the franchise saves record and produced one of the most overpowering four-year runs any closer has had. John Smoltz reinvented himself after major elbow surgery and set the National League single-season saves record. Gene Garber supplied a decade of durability, Mark Wohlers recorded the final out of the 1995 World Series, and the 2021 Night Shift delivered another championship.

Tap up to three pitchers below to build your ballot. Judge only what they did as Braves relievers, make your first tap your #1, then cast your vote and share your ranking with Braves Country.

From Firemen to Closers: Atlanta Braves Bullpen History

The modern save did not become an official statistic until 1969, three seasons after the Braves moved to Atlanta, so comparing generations requires more than sorting a leaderboard. Cecil Upshaw was the first great Atlanta bullpen arm, often asked to cover several innings instead of protecting a clean ninth. Gene Garber followed and became the franchise's model of relief durability. His submarine delivery, 141 saves and remarkable 557 relief appearances gave the Braves stability through both lean seasons and the 1982 division championship.

The Dynasty Bullpens

The 1990s Braves are remembered first for their starting rotation, but October runs still required someone to protect the lead after Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz or Avery left the mound. Greg McMichael unexpectedly seized the closer's job during the 1993 pennant race. Kerry Ligtenberg went from independent baseball to 30 saves as a rookie. Mike Stanton supplied years of left-handed matchup work, while Mike Remlinger became one of the league's best setup men.

Mark Wohlers owns the defining image. With Atlanta leading Cleveland 1-0 in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, Wohlers pitched a perfect ninth and recorded the final out of the franchise's first championship in Atlanta. His peak was brief compared with the longest-tenured names here, but no Braves closer has ever completed a more important save.

John Smoltz Reinvents Himself

Smoltz's case is unlike anyone else's. Already a Cy Young Award winner and October legend as a starter, he returned from Tommy John surgery in the bullpen and eventually became a dominant closer. In 2002 he saved 55 games, still the National League single-season record, and he piled up 154 saves in only a little more than three full seasons in the role. Voters should judge the relief chapter by itself, but that chapter alone is strong enough to challenge for the top spot.

Wagner and O'Ventbrel

Billy Wagner spent only one season in Atlanta, but it was a spectacular farewell: 37 saves, a 1.43 ERA, 104 strikeouts and an All-Star selection in 2010. Behind him emerged the trio Braves fans called O'Ventbrel. Eric O'Flaherty handled the seventh, Jonny Venters overwhelmed hitters in the eighth, and Craig Kimbrel closed the ninth. O'Flaherty posted a 0.98 ERA in 2011, Venters made the All-Star team, and Kimbrel quickly became the most dominant closer in franchise history.

Kimbrel finished his Braves tenure with 186 saves and a 1.43 ERA, winning the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award and making four straight All-Star teams. His delivery, rising fastball and breaking ball made the ninth inning feel almost predetermined. No Braves reliever combined peak dominance, sustained excellence and traditional closer production quite like he did.

The Night Shift and the Current Era

The 2021 champions won with a bullpen whose value grew every round. Tyler Matzek's escape in the NLCS clincher became an instant classic, and Will Smith followed an uneven regular season with 11 scoreless postseason appearances, six saves and the final out of the World Series. Luke Jackson, A.J. Minter and Jesse Chavez also made the Night Shift more than a nickname.

Raisel Iglesias arrived at the 2022 trade deadline and has since climbed to fourth on the franchise saves list. His longevity in the role has already moved him past several closers remembered as fixtures, giving the current era a legitimate candidate rather than merely a placeholder for recency.

So Who Is the Best Braves Relief Pitcher Ever?

Kimbrel has the cleanest statistical argument. Smoltz has the greatest single season and the most astonishing reinvention. Garber has unmatched durability. Wohlers and Smith own championship-clinching ninth innings. Remlinger, O'Flaherty, Venters and Matzek remind us that the most valuable reliever is not always the pitcher credited with the save.

Pick the three arms you would trust with a postseason lead, put them in order, and defend the ballot.