MLB Just Dropped Its All-Quarter Century Team… And the Braves’ Bullpen Stole the Show!

Braves Bullpen Shines on All-Quarter Century Team, But No Chipper

Despite being arguably the most iconic Atlanta Braves player of the past 25 years, Chipper Jones was left off The Athletic’s MLB All-Quarter Century Team. In fact, no Braves position player earned a spot, and the team also went unrepresented in the starting rotation.

However, the bullpen told a different story. Three of the six closers selected for the All-Quarter Century Team once wore a Braves uniform: Craig Kimbrel, Kenley Jansen, and Billy Wagner. They were named alongside legends Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Aroldis Chapman.

In their write-up, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark and Tyler Kepner paid tribute to Rivera and Hoffman—“Enter Sandman,” “Hell’s Bells,” the signature cutter and changeup, and their membership in the 600-save club. But they also highlighted the excellence of other dominant closers, ultimately selecting Wagner, and three pitchers who not only tallied at least 250 saves since 2000 but also averaged 12+ strikeouts per nine innings: Chapman, Kimbrel, and Jansen.

Among the former Braves, Kimbrel’s time in Atlanta stood out the most. From 2011 to 2014, he led the National League in saves and delivered one of the most dominant stretches ever for a closer: a 1.51 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 436 strikeouts in 268.1 innings—an astounding 14.6 K/9 rate. Over his career, Kimbrel has made nine All-Star teams.

Kenley Jansen, who joined the Braves in 2022, made an impact in his lone season by leading the NL with 41 saves. He posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.047 WHIP, and a 12.0 K/9 across 64 innings. Though he made his name with the Dodgers—where he earned three All-Star selections and maintained a 2.37 ERA over 12 years—his time in Atlanta was still impressive.

Billy Wagner, another one-season Brave, closed out his Hall of Fame career in 2010—the same year Kimbrel debuted. That season, Wagner logged 37 saves, went 7-2, and put up a 1.43 ERA and 0.865 WHIP, while striking out batters at a 13.5 K/9 clip. Though much of his early career came in the ’90s, Wagner still dominated from 2000–2010 with a 2.30 ERA and 321 saves. Over his full career, he finished with a 2.31 ERA and 422 saves.

So while Braves fans might be disappointed not to see Chipper or other position players on the list, their bullpen legacy is well-represented—and rightly celebrated.