Top 25 CLOSERS In MLB HISTORY - ELITE Relief Pitchers!!

Comments · 463

• DG

  @DGS2605 · 2 years ago (edited)

  Ricky &quot;Wild Thing&quot; Vaughn deserves a spot on this list. His 2nd half of the &apos;89 season on the Indians is the stuff of legends.<br><br>Edit: Somehow the replies to my original comment have resulted in a debate on Neurodivergence.

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• BI

  @BigJoeGun3455 · 2 years ago

  Wish that Rick Aguilera found a way on this list

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• KO

  @komickaze85 · 1 year ago

  Eckersley was SO close to 200 wins and 400 saves. That in itself is an incredible accomplishment, what he did. Next, do best long relievers or mop up guys.

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• BI

  @big8dog887 · 2 years ago

  Three honorable mentions.<br>1) Firpo Marberry. Practically invented the role in the 1920s for the Washington Senators, he was the first pitcher to save 20 games in a season (though nobody knew it at the time), the first pitcher to make 50 relief appearances in a season and 300 in a career, and still the only pitcher to lead MLB in saves 6 times.<br>2) Tug McGraw. More a sentimental pick than anything, not the most consistent career, but was the heart and soul of two teams that made it to the World Series.<br>3) John Smoltz. Only did it for three years, but I&apos;d put those three years up against anybody&apos;s.

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• TE

  @TeeKJay · 2 years ago

  Good list because it shows a lot of respect for the pioneers. I thought there would be room for Sparky Lyle (Cy Young as a closer in &apos;77, W-L 99-76, ERA 2.88 SVS-OPP 238-274) but his peak wasn&apos;t high enough, then Gossage took over in &apos;78 and became a legend.

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• GU

  @guessundheit6494 · 2 years ago

  Kent Tekulve may not make the top 25, but he should have been on an Honourable Mentions list. &nbsp; A 94-90 record (without ever being a starter for one season), career 2.85 ERA, 1050 games (third only to Franco and Wilhelm), three times made NINETY appearances in a season as a pitcher, won the World Series with Pittsburgh (a key part of their last great team). &nbsp;Sure, he&apos;s not tops in any one category, but he&apos;s excellent in everything.

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• GU

  @guppybill · 2 years ago

  100% agree with this list. One legend after another. AND-- it&apos;s a real human, narrating a real script. Nice work, human.

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• BA

  @bassdogmarco · 2 years ago

  Loved seeing Tom &quot;Terminator&quot; Henke on this list. As a life long Jays fans, he was my absolute fave to save the game with his dynamite stuff.

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• DU

  @Dulcimerist · 2 years ago

  I came here to see where Dan Quisenberry ranks. &nbsp;He&apos;s a legend! &nbsp;I was able to see him pitch late in his career with the Cardinals.<br>I also saw Jeff Reardon pitch, and he was cool as well - especially when set up by Juan Berenguer!

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• CO

  @colbywhitehead4260 · 2 years ago

  84 consecutive saves!😮 Lord have mercy. That is an insane stat line.

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• PO

  @pooryorick831 · 1 year ago

  During the A&apos;s threepeat, when it got to be late in the game my dad would always say &quot;Time to give then the Finger. &nbsp;And so they did. He remains my personal favorite closer.

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• PA

  @payrysdoscs4903 · 7 months ago

  One guy I want to mention is Brad Lidge, specifically for his flawless (38-for-38) 2008 season with Philadelphia where he pitched the final outs of that year&apos;s World Series (bonus points for that epic celly)

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