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Every MLB Team's Greatest Closer of All Time - All 30 Franchises. Read Every MLB Team's Greatest Closer of All Time - All 30 Franchises
Every MLB Team's Greatest Closer of All Time - All 30 Franchises
Many of the sport’s greatest players are credited for their ability to seal a victory in the ninth inning. Read ahead as we highlight the greatest closer of all time for all 30 MLB teams. Will you agree with our selections?
Arizona Diamondbacks
Jose Valverde
Even though Jose Valverde spent only five seasons with the Diamondbacks, he became the franchise leader in total saves with 98. Through these five seasons, Valverde held a solid 3.29 ERA with an 11.9 SO/9. He did most of his damage during his final season in Arizona, tallying a league-leading 47 saves and finishing sixth in Cy Young voting.
Athletics
Dennis Eckersley
Without a doubt, the Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley will hold the next spot on our list. Eckersley spent nine of his legendary 24 MLB seasons pitching for the then-Oakland Athletics. He would tally a franchise record 320 saves, which is unlikely to be surpassed. Through these nine seasons, Eckersley won the MVP award in 1992, when he led the sport with 51 saves and a 1.72 FIP. He was named to the All-Star team in all but three of these seasons.
Atlanta Braves
Craig Kimbrel
While John Smoltz did see time as a closer, he was also deployed as a starting pitcher for some time, which will instead cede this spot to Craig Kimbrel. In fact, when looking at production just in the ninth inning, Kimbrel stands alone in franchise history. The hard-throwing right-hander tallied 186 saves as a Brave. He led the sport in saves during four of his first five seasons in Atlanta as well and was named to the All-Star team in each of these seasons.
Baltimore Orioles
Zack Britton
While Felix Bautista could eventually earn a spot on this list, for now, those honors will go to Zack Britton. Britton spent eight of his 12 MLB seasons in Baltimore. While he was not the de facto closer in each season, he enjoyed a truly outstanding stretch. From 2014 through 2016 (three seasons), Britton averaged 40 saves per season and even led the sport in saves in 2016. Over this stretch, he held a near-perfect 1.38 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP.
Boston Red Sox
Jonathan Papelbon
The franchise leader in saves, Jonathan Papelbon, will hold the next spot on the list. Papelbon spent seven of his 12 seasons in Boston and became the only pitcher in franchise history to tally over 200 saves with the club. From 2006 through 2009, Papelbon made the AL All-Star team in each campaign and averaged 37.8 saves per season.
Chicago Cubs
Lee Smith
While Lee Smith also enjoyed a successful tenure with their long-standing rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, Smith began his career on the North Side of Chicago. Smith spent his first eight seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Cubs. Through this stretch, he became the franchise leader in saves with 180. He held an overall 2.92 ERA and was named to two All-Star teams.
Chicago White Sox
Bobby Thigpen
The only player in franchise history to tally over 200 saves with the club is Bobby Thigpen, who will make him the clear choice to represent the White Sox on this list. Thigpen spent all but one of his MLB seasons on the South Side. Through eight seasons, the right-hander was named to one All-Star team and finished fourth in Cy Young voting during that campaign (1990). He led the sport in saves that season with 57, and finished his time with the White Sox, tallying 201 saves.
Cincinnati Reds
Aroldis Chapman
The left-hander began his career with Cincinnati and wasted little time making an impact. From 2012 through 2015, the southpaw held an elite 1.90 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP. Through these 255 2/3 innings, Chapman struck out an eye-catching 456 batters (16.1 K/9) while averaging 36.3 saves per season. He would go on to enjoy a dominant run in the Bronx and has recently found his footing pitching for the Boston Red Sox.
Cleveland Guardians
Emmanuel Clase
Another current-day player makes our list in Emmanuel Clase. Clase has spent the past five seasons pitching for the Guardians after making his MLB debut in Texas in 2019. Since joining the Guardians in 2021, Clase has emerged as the sport’s top closer. From 2021 through 2024, the right-hander led the sport in saves in three of the four campaigns and averaged 39.3 saves per season. He has made the All-Star team three times and has held an impressive 1.62 ERA over these 289 1/3 innings.
Colorado Rockies
Brian Fuentes
Brian Fuentes is one of just two closers in franchise history to tally over 100 saves with the club. However, when comparing Fuentes’ metrics to Jose Jimenez, Fuentes stands well above the top. Through seven seasons with the Rockies, the left-hander was named to three All-Star teams and held an overall 3.38 ERA. He tallied at least 30 saves in three seasons and posted four-straight campaigns with at least 20 saves.
Detroit Tigers
Todd Jones
Without a doubt, Todd Jones will represent the Detroit Tigers on this list. Jones is the only relief pitcher in franchise history to tally over 200 saves with the team. Jones spent eight of his 16-year MLB career in Detroit. Through these eight seasons, the right-hander struggled at times, with an overall 4.06 ERA, but enjoyed several strong seasons, notably in 2000 when he led the team with 42 saves.
Houston Astros
Billy Wagner
While Josh Hader could eventually become a franchise icon in Houston, for now, these honors will go to Hall of Famer Billy Wagner. Wagner spent nine of his 16 Hall of Fame seasons pitching for the ‘Stros. During this stretch of his career, he posted an overall 2.53 ERA with a stellar 1.04 WHIP. He would also become the only relief pitcher in franchise history to tally over 200 saves with the club.
Kansas City Royals
Dan Quisenberry
Even though Dan Quisenberry sits second in the franchise record books for total saves, he will take the spot on this list. Through 920 1/3 innings with the Royals, he was far more effective than Jeff Montgomery, who finished his career with more saves with the team. Quisenberry would pitch 10 seasons in Kansas City and finish in the top-5 in Cy Young voting five times and be named to three All-Star teams.
Los Angeles Angels
Troy Percival
The long-time California/Los Angeles Angels closer will take the next spot on the list. Among closers in franchise history, Percival is the only pitcher to tally over 300 saves with the club. Through 10 seasons with the Angels, Percival would never lead the sport in saves but was very consistent, tallying 31.6 saves per season with a 2.99 ERA.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Kenley Jansen
One of the best closers of all time will take the next spot. Even though Jansen is enjoying a strong conclusion to his legendary career with the Angels this season, he was a staple in the Dodgers’ bullpen for over a decade. Through 12 seasons with the Dodgers, Jansen would tally 350 saves while posting an elite 2.37 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He enjoyed his best season in 2017, when he led the sport in saves with 41, and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting.
Miami Marlins
Robb Nen
Only two pitchers in franchise history have compiled over 100 saves with the club. However, when looking at pure production, Robb Nen will narrowly overtake Antonio Alfonseca for the spot on this list. Nen spent five of his 10 seasons in the majors with the Marlins. During this stretch of his career, Nen averaged 21.6 saves per season while holding a 3.61 ERA. In 1996 and 1997, Nen posted back-to-back 30+ save seasons.
Milwaukee Brewers
Josh Hader
Josh Hader was on pace to enjoy an illustrious career with the Milwaukee Brewers before being traded to San Diego, and later to Houston. Through six seasons with the Brewers, Hader would tally 125 saves, which sits as the second-most behind Dan Plesac’s 133. However, Hader logged over 200 fewer innings with the club, which makes his total even more impressive. Hader was named to four All-Star teams and posted an elite 15.4 K/9.
Minnesota Twins
Joe Nathan
Even though Joe Nathan tallied just six more saves than Minnesota No. 2 all-time closer, Rick Aguilera, Nathan’s overall resume is far more impressive. Through seven seasons with the Twins, Nathan would post a remarkable 2.16 ERA with an impressive 0.96 WHIP. From 2004 through 2011, Nathan would not qualify for the All-Star team twice and would even earn top-5 Cy Young voting in two of these seasons.
New York Mets
John Franco
While Billy Wagner and Edwin Diaz both enjoyed dominant stretches serving as the ninth inning option in Queens, John Franco will take the spot due to his extended success with the franchise. Franco would log over 700 innings with the Mets and tally 276 saves during his career. He is the only Met reliever to have over 200 saves with the club. Franco would be named to four All-Star teams throughout his career and even earn Cy Young votes in 1994.
New York Yankees
Mariano Rivera
The greatest closer of all time represents the New York Yankees. Mariano Rivera spent all 19 seasons of his Hall of Fame career in the Bronx. He would be named to 13 All-Star teams and finish within the top-4 in Cy Young voting four times in his career. Rivera was also one of the most dominant pitchers in the postseason, tallying 42 saves while winning an ALCS MVP and WS MVP. He finished his career with a league-record 652 saves.
Philadelphia Phillies
Jonathan Papelbon
For the second time on this list, Jonathan Papelbon will represent a team, this time the Philadelphia Phillies. Even though he would be widely regarded in history as a Boston Red Sox, he would also spend four seasons with the Phillies, where he would tally a franchise high of 123 saves. During these four seasons, Papelbon would be named to two All-Star teams and tally at least 38 saves in two campaigns.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Kent Tekulve
While Roy Face did enjoy an impressive run as a reliever, he was also deployed out of the rotation, which will give Kent Tekulve the honors on this list. Tekulve spent 12 of his 16 MLB seasons in the Steel City. During his tenure as a Pirate, Tekulve would tally the second-most saves in franchise history (158) and hold a strong 2.68 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. In 1978 and 1979, he would finish in the top five in Cy Young voting.
San Diego Padres
Trevor Hoffman
Without a doubt, Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman will represent the Padres on this list. Hoffman logged an incredible 552 saves across 16 of his 18 seasons in San Diego. During this outstanding stretch, Hoffman held a 2.76 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP. He posted a 9.7 K/9 while generating an elite 2.94 FIP. He was a seven-time All-Star and earned top-2 Cy Young voting twice in his career.
San Francisco Giants
Robb Nen
The only pitcher to tally over 200 saves in franchise history is Robb Nen. Nen spent five of his 10 MLB seasons in the Bay Area. Through this stretch of his career, Nen would tally 206 saves while holding a solid 2.43 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. During this stretch, Nen flashed solid strikeout upside, posting a 10.8 K/9 and was named to three All-Star teams.
Seattle Mariners
Edwin Diaz
Even though his tenure in Seattle was brief (three seasons), it was nothing short of dominant, which will earn him a spot on this list. During his three seasons in Seattle, Diaz posted a 2.64 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. The hard-throwing right-hander led the sport in saves during the 2018 season with 57 and held a remarkable 14.7 K/9.
St. Louis Cardinals
Lee Smith
For the second time on this list, the Hall of Famer will find a spot. While he began his career with the Cubs, he would go on to enjoy a productive four-year stretch in St. Louis as well. Through 266 2/3 innings with the Cardinals, Smith would tally 160 saves while posting a 2.90 ERA. He led the sport in saves in two of these seasons and even finished within the top four in Cy Young voting twice.
Tampa Bay Rays
Fernando Rodney
Even though Fernando Rodney’s tenure in Tampa Bay was fairly short in comparison to other names on this list, he was dominant, which earned him a spot on the list. Through two seasons in Tampa Bay, Rodney would tally 85 saves, the third-most in franchise history. In 2012, he enjoyed a career-season, holding a 0.60 ERA with a 0.77 WHIP. This performance earned him a bid to the All-Star game and fifth-place in Cy Young voting.
Texas Rangers
John Wetteland
The franchise leader in saves will represent the Texas Rangers. Wetteland would tally 150 saves across four seasons in Texas. He would be one of just two pitchers to total over 125 saves with the club. During his four seasons, the right-hander would be named to two All-Star teams and even earn Cy Young and MVP votes. His best season came in 1998 when he tallied 42 saves with a 2.03 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays
Tom Henke
Without a doubt, Tom Henke will represent the Blue Jays on this list. He is the only pitcher in franchise history to tally over 200 saves with the club. Through eight seasons in Toronto, Henke would hold a strong 10.3 K/9 with a 2.48 ERA and a dominant 1.03 WHIP. During the 1987 campaign, Henke led the sport in saves (34) and was named to the All-Star game.
Washington Nationals
Chad Cordero
While Jeff Reardon and even Kyle Finnegan made a case, the final spot on the list will go to Chad Cordero. Cordero spent six of his seven MLB seasons with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals. During his time with the franchise, Cordero would tally the second-most saves in franchise history (128) and would only sit 20 behind Reardon. However, Reardon logged nearly 200 more innings. Cordero led the league in saves in 2005 and even earned top-5 Cy Young votes that campaign.
