MLB History: 30 best closers of all time

MLB History (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
MLB History (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Randy Myers
Randy Myers – Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

The best closers in MLB history: 14. Randy Myers

  • 347 total saves 
  • 548 games finished 
  • 3.17 ERA (as reliever) 
  • 85.0 save percentage 

Randy Myers, best known as a quirky and sometimes eccentric left-hander, debuted with the Mets back in 1985. By 1998, he owned the closer role and went on one of the most dominant three-year stretches by a lefty reliever in league history. During that run, Myers finished 150 games, saved 81, all while owning a stifling 2.07 ERA and 2.72 FIP.

In 1991, the Cincinnati Reds tried to reinvent Myers into a starter, but that experiment never did pan out. Myers found himself back as the ninth-inning man in 1992 and went on another incredible run. From 1992-98, Myers saved 254 ballgames or 36 per season, finished 356, and owned a 3.57 ERA.

In 716 career appearances out of the bullpen, Myers saved a total of 347 games. This mark ranks 13th on the all-time leaderboard. He also finished 548 games and held a 3.17 ERA. Myers converted 85 percent of his save opportunities and struck out better than 23 percent of hitters he faced. The four-time All-Star, two-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner, NLCS MVP and 1990 World Series Champion was just plain reliable throughout the vast majority of his career. He is simply one of the best left-handers to ever do it.