MLB History: The Top Closers of All Time

Mariano Rivera: 652 Saves

One cannot delve into a discussion about the best closers of all time without discussing The Sandman. Mariano Rivera holds the all-time record of saves at 652 in 19 years of Major League service.

In 1995, when Rivera made his debut with the New York Yankees, he was used as a starter and showed that the beginning of games did not suit his skill set. In 10 games started, Rivera compiled an ERA of 5.51. The following year, Rivera was primarily used as a middle relief man as part of the World Champion Yankees. In that season, he honed his skills and developed into the pitcher that would go onto become the greatest reliever of all time. In his first season as the full time reliever, Rivera made the 1997 All-Star team and collected 43 saves.

Rivera’s legacy goes beyond his regular season prowess. His legacy was refined and built in the post season.

In 141 innings pitched, he gave up just 13 runs to compile an ERA of 0.70. Almost poetically, in his post season career, Mo saved 42 games, the same number that he wore on his back and the same number as his idol, Jackie Robinson

In a career that spanned parts of three decades and two millennia, Mariano developed his game into the peak of pitching dominance. It is not a difficult statement to say that a closer like Mariano Rivera will not be seen again in the game of baseball.

Next: A changeup specialist