Who Holds the Record for Most Saves in Baseball?
Baseball has seen some of the most iconic figures in the sport over the years, from Babe Ruth to Willie Mays. But one record that stands out is the most saves in baseball history. It is a mark that has been held by only one man, a man who was known for his composure and ability to close out games. His name is Mariano Rivera, and he has held the record for most saves in baseball history since 2011.
What is a Save in Baseball?
A save in baseball is a statistic used to measure the effectiveness of a relief pitcher. It is awarded to a pitcher who finishes a game in which his team is ahead by three or fewer runs and no more than three innings have been completed. A save is credited to the pitcher who was the last pitcher to pitch in the game and was not the winning pitcher.
Mariano Rivera’s Career Stats
Mariano Rivera was one of the most successful relief pitchers in Major League Baseball’s history. He played for the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013, and during that time he compiled a record of 652 saves. He also earned a record 42 saves during the 2009 season, the most in a single season by any pitcher.
In addition to his saves, Rivera also had an impressive career ERA (earned run average) of 2.21. He had a total of 1,173 strikeouts and only allowed an impressive total of 551 earned runs. His career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was an impressive 1.00, one of the best marks in baseball history.
Mariano Rivera’s Accomplishments
Mariano Rivera was a 13-time All-Star, a 5-time World Series champion, and he was named the World Series MVP in 1999. He was also a 3-time recipient of the Delivery Man of the Year award, given to the best relief pitcher in the game. In addition to his awards, Rivera was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Other Notable Names in Baseball History
Although Mariano Rivera holds the record for most saves in baseball history, there are a few other relief pitchers who have come close to breaking his mark. Trevor Hoffman, who retired in 2010, is second on the all-time saves list with 601. Lee Smith, who retired in 1997, is third with 478 saves. Billy Wagner, who retired in 2010, is fourth with 422 saves.
Notable Achievements by Other Relievers
Trevor Hoffman was a 7-time All-Star, and he was named the Delivery Man of the Year in both 1998 and 2006. He was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. Lee Smith was a 7-time All-Star, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019. Billy Wagner was a 7-time All-Star, and he was named the Delivery Man of the Year in 1999.
Current Relievers with a Chance to Catch Mariano Rivera
There are a few current relief pitchers who have a chance to catch Mariano Rivera’s record. Craig Kimbrel has the most saves of any active pitcher with 333. He is followed by Brad Hand with 306 and Kenley Jansen with 289. All three of these pitchers are still active, so they will have a chance to continue to add to their totals.
The Future of Relief Pitching
The future of relief pitching is one of the most interesting topics in the game. With an influx of young and talented pitchers entering the league each season, it is becoming increasingly difficult for a single pitcher to stand out and become the all-time saves leader. It will be interesting to see if anyone can unseat Mariano Rivera for this record.
Conclusion
Mariano Rivera holds the record for most saves in baseball history with 652. He was an incredibly successful pitcher during his time in the majors, and he was able to achieve that success by relying on his composure and ability to close out games. There are a few current pitchers who have a chance to catch his record, but they will have to work hard to reach his mark.
Key Takeaways
- Save – a statistic used to measure the effectiveness of a relief pitcher
- Mariano Rivera – holds the record for most saves in baseball history with 652
- Trevor Hoffman – second on the all-time saves list with 601
- Craig Kimbrel – most saves of any active pitcher with 333
- Future of Relief Pitching – an influx of young and talented pitchers entering the league each season