KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) - Craig Kimbrel has a tough encore in 2013.
After all, he's coming off 1 of the most dominant seasons for a closer in baseball history.
Kimbrel had 42 saves for the Atlanta Braves, but that only tells part of the story. His ERA was a microscopic 1.01. He allowed just 27 hits in 62 2-3 innings. Most astonishing, he had 116 strikeouts - fanning more than half of the 231 batters he faced.
The right-hander can blow batters away with a 100 mph fastball. When Kimbrel mixes in a knee-bending slider - which is harder than most pitchers' fastballs - well, it just doesn't seem fair. He's also improved his control, issuing only 14 walks last season.
Kimbrel leaves Sunday to close for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
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Kimbrel looks to duplicate dominating 2012 seasonMore>>
Monday, April 1 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-04-01 22:45:00 GMT
Street vendors are no longer allowed to set up shop in front of Turner Field. An order from the mayor's office bans anyone without a city vending permit from selling on the sidewalks.
Street vendors are no longer allowed to set up shop in front of Turner Field. An order from the mayor's office bans anyone without a city vending permit from selling on the sidewalks.
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
Baseball is back, and the Atlanta Braves are already hard at work! Players reported to spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Florida this week, and FOX 5 Sports is right there with them.
Baseball is back, and the Atlanta Braves are already hard at work! Players reported to spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Florida this week, and FOX 5 Sports is right there with them.
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
Got Braves spring training fever already? Things are getting busy in Lake Buena Vista already! Check out photos from day two of workouts for pitchers and catchers-- plus some early position players-- right here!
Got Braves spring training fever already? Things are getting busy in Lake Buena Vista already! Check out photos from day two of workouts for pitchers and catchers-- plus some early position players-- right here!
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
The Atlanta Braves-- all of them-- are officially back in action! Thursday was the first spring training workout for the full squad, and you can see behind-the-scenes photos here!
The Atlanta Braves-- all of them-- are officially back in action! Thursday was the first spring training workout for the full squad, and you can see behind-the-scenes photos here!
Sunday, March 31 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-04-01 03:33:28 GMT
A familiar face joined the Braves at spring training on Friday: our own Ron Gant!
A familiar face joined the Braves at spring training on Friday: our own Ron Gant! He made his way to Florida to join the FOX 5 Sports crew for a little workout at Disney's Wide World of Sports, and you can check out all the behind-the-scenes pics right here!
Tim Hudson pitched four innings in his final spring tuneup while Braves reliever Jonny Venters left early with a sprained elbow Tuesday in Atlanta's 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
Tim Hudson pitched four innings in his final spring tuneup while Braves reliever Jonny Venters left early with a sprained elbow Tuesday in Atlanta's 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.
