The MLB closer is often regarded as the most important relief pitcher in baseball. The best MLB closer of all time is a highly debated topic, and it can be difficult to determine who is the ‘greatest’ of all time. There are many factors to consider when determining the best, such as past performance, longevity, consistency, and overall impact. In this article, we will explore who the best MLB closer of all time is by looking at the careers of some of the greatest closers in the history of the game.
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is widely considered to be the best MLB closer of all time. He spent 19 seasons with the New York Yankees, and was a 13-time All-Star, five-time World Series champion, and two-time AL MVP. He was also the all-time leader in saves with 652. Rivera was a masterful relief pitcher, and his signature pitch, the cutter, was virtually unhittable. He was also known for his durability, as he was able to pitch in an incredible 96.8% of the Yankees games from 1997-2013.
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman is another one of the greatest closers in MLB history. He played 18 seasons in the major leagues, and was a seven-time All-Star, two-time NL MVP, and two-time NL Cy Young Award winner. He also holds the record for most career saves with 601. Hoffman was known for his signature pitch, the changeup, which he used to great effectiveness. He was renowned for his longevity in the game, as he was able to pitch in 82.1% of the games he appeared in.
Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner was another great closer in the history of the MLB. He played 16 seasons in the major leagues, and was a seven-time All-Star and four-time NL saves leader. He was also one of the few pitchers in history to record 400 saves, with 422. Wagner was known for his blazing fastball, which often topped out at 100 mph. He was also known for his impressive longevity, as he was able to pitch in 88.3% of the games he appeared in.
Lee Smith
Lee Smith was another one of the greatest closers in the history of the MLB. He played 18 seasons in the major leagues, and was a seven-time All-Star and three-time NL saves leader. He is also the all-time leader in career saves with 478. Smith was known for his dominant fastball, which he used to overwhelm batters. He was also known for his incredible durability, as he was able to pitch in 87.3% of the games he appeared in.
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley was another great closer in the history of the MLB. He played 24 seasons in the major leagues, and was a six-time All-Star, two-time AL MVP, and one-time Cy Young Award winner. He also holds the record for most career saves with 390. Eckersley was known for his signature pitch, the splitter, which he used to great effect. He was also known for his impressive longevity, as he was able to pitch in 77.1% of the games he appeared in.
John Franco
John Franco was another great closer in the history of the MLB. He played 21 seasons in the major leagues, and was a four-time All-Star and three-time NL saves leader. He also holds the record for most career saves with 424. Franco was known for his excellent control, as he was able to throw strikes with remarkable accuracy. He was also known for his impressive durability, as he was able to pitch in 86.2% of the games he appeared in.
Goose Gossage
Goose Gossage was another one of the greatest closers in the history of the MLB. He played 22 seasons in the major leagues, and was a nine-time All-Star and three-time AL saves leader. He also holds the record for most career saves with 310. Gossage was known for his dominant fastball, which often topped out at 100 mph. He was also known for his impressive longevity, as he was able to pitch in 79.9% of the games he appeared in.
Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers was another great closer in the history of the MLB. He played 17 seasons in the major leagues, and was a seven-time All-Star, three-time NL MVP, and one-time AL Cy Young Award winner. He also holds the record for most career saves with 341. Fingers was known for his signature pitch, the split-finger fastball, which he used to great effect. He was also known for his impressive longevity, as he was able to pitch in 86.6% of the games he appeared in.
Conclusion
Based on the careers of these great closers, it is clear that Mariano Rivera is the best MLB closer of all time. He not only holds the record for most career saves, but he was also one of the most consistent and durable closers in the history of the game. He was a masterful relief pitcher, and his signature pitch, the cutter, was virtually unhittable. He was also a five-time World Series champion, thirteen-time All-Star, and two-time AL MVP. It is clear that Mariano Rivera is the best MLB closer of all time.
Key Takeaways
- Mariano Rivera is widely considered to be the best MLB closer of all time.
- He holds the record for most career saves with 652.
- He was a masterful relief pitcher, and his signature pitch, the cutter, was virtually unhittable.
- He was also known for his durability, as he was able to pitch in an incredible 96.8% of the Yankees games from 1997-2013.
- He was a five-time World Series champion, thirteen-time All-Star, and two-time AL MVP.
Other Notable Closers
In addition to Mariano Rivera, other notable MLB closers include Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner, Lee Smith, Dennis Eckersley, John Franco, Goose Gossage, and Rollie Fingers. Each of these closers had impressive careers, and they all contributed to the success of their respective teams.
Final Thoughts
The best MLB closer of all time is a highly debated topic, and it can be difficult to determine who is the ‘greatest’ of all time. However, it is clear that Mariano Rivera is the best closer of all time. He holds the record for most career saves, and he was a masterful relief pitcher. He was also incredibly consistent and durable, and he was a five-time World Series champion, thirteen-time All-Star, and two-time AL MVP. It is clear that Mariano Rivera is the best MLB closer of all time.