MLB History: 30 best closers of all time

Once considered an afterthought on MLB rosters, relief pitchers have emerged as some of the most important pieces when constructing a World Series contender. Of these relief pitchers, the closer is the most unique member of an MLB roster. These pitchers are true specialists, only appearing in the most specific of game situations. They don’t even pitch every day, and rarely rack up more than 100 innings during a full season.

Still, the best closers of all time have had an enormous impact on their individual teams. In this list, we check out the 30 best closers in MLB history. Many of these names have provided a profound impact on team success, helping propel a franchise to the championship promised land.

Closers are after one thing and one thing only. Converting saves when given a save opportunity. To clarify, the MLB made saves an official stat in 1969, which requires a set of specific criteria. According to MLB.com, saves are awarded to “relief pitchers who finish a game for the winning team, under certain circumstances.” The criteria includes the following.

• Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning.
• Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle, at the plate, or on the bases.
• Pitch at least three innings.

To ensure this list provides some historical accuracy, this list considered the total number of saves, save percentage, games finished, and individual season performances within these parameters. Of course, these names were required to provide elite performances in terms of ERA, WHIP, SO/9, H/9, HR/9, BB/9 while earning saves or finishing games.

The best closers in MLB history: 30. Dan Quisenberry

• 553 games finished 
• 244 total saves 
• 2.76 ERA
• 3.8 walk percentage

We kick off this list with Dan Quisenberry, a shutdown reliever known for his unconventional submarine delivery and lights out control. Quisenberry spent 12 years in the MLB, 10 of which he spent with the Kansas City Royals.

A three-time All-Star, Quisenberry was the game’s best finisher/closer through a brilliant six-year run from 1980-1985. In that span, he led the American League four times in games finished and five times in saves. This also included five different top-five finishes in the AL Cy Young Award voting. In 1983, he recorded 45 saves, a then record-setting mark.

Throughout his 12-year career, Quisenberry successfully finished 553 games – which ranks 26th on the all-time list. He also earned more than 244 total saves while pitching to a 2.76 ERA, all out of the bullpen.

Quisenberry’s command was his greatest asset. Of all-time relief pitchers with at least 200 total saves and a 60 percent successful save percentage, he leads all in walk percentage. He walked only 3.8 percent of batters faced.

The best closers in MLB history: 29. Eric Gagne

• 187 total saves 
• 2.62 ERA (as reliever) 
• 11.7 SO/9 (as reliever) 

While the next name on our list was unable to find any long-term success in the MLB, it’s hard to ignore the greatest streak by a closer in MLB history. From 2002-04, Eric Gagne successfully converted 84 consecutive saves, which remains an all-time league record.

He may not be the greatest closer of all time, but this is certainly the most impressive run. Gagne’s run was so brilliant that he became just the ninth relief pitcher in league history to win a Cy Young. He won that award in 2003, a year that the three-time All-Star converted all of his 55 save opportunities, finishing 67 games to the tune of a 1.20 ERA. He averaged 15 strikeouts per nine innings that year, a number that was almost unheard of during the early 2000s.

Injuries derailed Gagne’s success following the 2004 campaign, but the sheer brilliance of his three-year run is worthy of a spot on this list. In total, Gagne earned 187 saves at a 91.7 percent conversion rate. This rate ranks highest among relievers with at least 50 career saves.
He owns a 0.96 ERA when successfully converting saves and a 2.31 ERA in all save situations. As a reliever, opposing hitters hit just .194 against Gagne only mustering 115 runs in nearly 400 innings pitched.

The best closers in MLB history: 28. Jason Isringhausen

• 300 total saves 
• 3.18 ERA (as reliever) 
• 499 games finished 
• 82.4 save percentage 

Jason Isringhausen may not have been the most lights out closer of all-time, but consistency goes a long way here. Simply put, the 16-year MLB veteran frequently got the job done.

Highlighted by his seven-year run with the St. Louis Cardinals, Isringhausen finished just under 500 games throughout his career including an even 300 converted saves. As a ninth-inning man, Isringhausen converted 82.4 percent of his save opportunities, which ranks top-30 on the all-time list.

The converted starting pitcher found his home as a reliever and closer with the Oakland Athletics in 2000, his sixth season in the big leagues. Isringhausen went on to receive All-Star honors that season, earning 33 saves to the tune of a 3.78 ERA. He then signed as a free agent with the Cardinals and remained a mainstay as the St. Louis closer during a very successful team run.

That plays into his placement on his list. During his time as the closer in St. Louis, the Cardinals won the division four times, made two World Series, and won the championship in 2006. In 2004, the other World Series run, Isringhausen led the NL in games finished (66) and saves (47). As a relief pitcher, Izzy owned a 3.18 ERA and 1.239 WHIP.

The best closers in MLB history: 27. Rod Beck

• 286 total saves
• 3.30 ERA
• 519 games finished
• 83.9 save percentage

In just his second professional season, Rod Beck almost immediately assumed the closer role for the San Francisco Giants. Beck, 23-years-old at the time, stifled hitters throughout the 1992 campaign. He pitched in 65 games, finishing 42 of them along with 17 saves, to a 1.76 ERA that year.

Beck, affectionately nicknamed “Shooter” by his teammates, spent seven seasons in San Francisco. He’s remembered for his big personality and an even bigger heart. The beloved Giant holds the team record for the most saves in a single season, 48, along with Brian Wilson in 2010. He also finished his Giants career with 199 career saves, which ranks second behind another franchise legend found later on this list.

Throughout his 13-year career, Beck saved 286 games and finished 519. He owns a career 3.30 ERA and 83.9 percent save percentage, which ranks 21st all-time. Beck also recorded four seasons with at least 35 saves and led the entire MLB in games finished three different times.

Beck was named to three All-Star teams throughout the mid-1990s and was given the NL Ronalds Relief Man Award in 1994 after posting the fourth-lowest ERA of his career with 2.77.

The best closers in MLB history: 26. Armando Benitez

• 289 total saves
• 3.13 ERA
• 29.1 strikeout percentage 

There’s a certain dynamic that closers must live with. Part of this dynamic includes expectations. Baseball fans throughout the world look at closers and expect perfection. These arguments stem from the fact that closers have that single-focused, very specific role. But, baseball is the sport that requires the least amount of perfection, at least from a stats perspective.

Many of the closers on this list also appear on the MLB’s all-time blown saves leaderboard. Opportunity is a big factor here because players have to earn a closer job before even thinking about blowing a save. And, some names on this list are playfully called “heart attack closers.” The ones that raise your stress level, blood pressure, and consistently flirted with blown saves. Armando Benitez is a prime example of this.

Please understand that this does not discredit the accolades of Benitez. He’s one of the greatest relief pitchers in New York Mets history, and he belongs on this list of greats. Benitez owns seven seasons with at least 20 recorded saves. He was brilliant during his five-year run in New York, pitching to a 2.70 ERA with 160 total saves and 266 games finished. His stop in New York included the 2000 Subway Series appearance and back-to-back campaigns with 40-plus saves. He led all of baseball with 47 for the Florida Marlins in 2004. In total, Benitez saved 289 games, finished 527 games, and pitched to a 3.13 ERA.

He was a premier strikeout thrower, averaging 10.9 K’s per nine and striking out almost 30 percent of batters he faced. His walks always made his saves rather interesting, however, as he walked close to 12.5 percent of the total hitters he’s faced.

The best closers in MLB history: 25. Francisco Cordero

• 329 total saves
• 3.38 ERA
• 575 games finished
• 0.7 HR/9

Francisco Cordero is the second name on this list that benefits from the evolution of the modern-day closer. The 14-year MLB veteran spent the entirety of his playing career as a relief pitcher, providing almost a decade of reliable closing. Unfortunately for Cordero, he spent a number of these seasons on bad ball clubs that didn’t win very many games. But, during those years, if the Texas Rangers or Cincinnati Reds (among four other stops he made) needed three outs to win a close game – Cordero was their guy.

In 800 career appearances, Cordero recorded 329 total saves and finished 575 games. Both of those marks rank at least top-25 on the MLB’s all-time list. In 2002, a season the Rangers only won 72 games, the three-time All-Star cemented himself as the ninth-inning man. In that season, Cordero notched 10 saves while finishing 25 games, and pitched to a 1.79 ERA.

Cordero earned his first All-Star appearance in 2004 after securing 49 saves with a 2.13 ERA. His 49 saves remain a single-season record in Rangers’ franchise history. His reliability as a closer helped the Rangers land future Hall of Famer Nelson Cruz via trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Cruz spent eight seasons in Texas and hit 157 home runs.

Cordero might be best remembered for his ability to limit the long ball, as he gave up 0.7 home runs per nine innings in addition to a 3.38 career ERA.

The best closers in MLB history: 24. Bruce Sutter

• 300 total saves
• 2.83 ERA
• 1979 Cy Young Award
• 0.7 HR/9

Bruce Sutter didn’t make his MLB debut until he was 23-years-old in 1976. As described on his Baseball Hall of Fame webpage and plaque, Sutter was one of the original experts at throwing a split-fingered fastball. Sutter’s Hall of Fame career was largely dependent on this pitch, something he didn’t learn to throw until a minor league season in 1973. From there, Sutter hit the ground running.

The six-time All-Star won the closer role for the Chicago Cubs by 1977 and recorded at least 25 saves in seven of the next eight seasons. At the time, before the closer role was truly an integral part of the game, these numbers were staggering. Sutter won the Cy Young Award as a reliever in 1979. He finished 56 games that season, including an MLB-leading 37 saves while pitching to a 2.22 ERA. At the time, his 37 saves in a single season tied an all-time league mark.

The 12-year MLB veteran struggled in his final two seasons but still put together a marvelous career thanks to his mastery of the split-fingered fastball. He ended his professional career with 300 saves, which ranks top-30 in league history. Sutter converted 74.8 percent of his save chances, which may not be the most impressive percentage on this list. Still, this came along with a career 2.83 ERA, 1.140 WHIP, a 1982 World Series title, and sub-1.00 home runs per nine innings.

The best closers in MLB history: 23. Jeff Montgomery

• 304 total saves
• 549 games finished 
• 20.2 strikeout percentage 
• 80.4 save percentage 

Jeff Montgomery is the second Kansas City Royals’ alum on this list after Dan Quisenberry. Montgomery spent 12 of his 13-year career in Kansas City and is considered the greatest closing pitcher in franchise history. He’s another staple of consistency, owning seven consecutive seasons with at least 20 recorded saves.

The three-time All-Star made his major league debut with the Reds in 1987. He attempted one start but quickly found a home at the back of the bullpen. He was traded to Kansas City in 1988, where he spent the rest of his professional career. This Kansas City great hits all of the necessary requirements to earn a spot on this list.

In 1999, Montgomery became just the 10th player in league history to notch 300 career saves, a feat he accomplished at the very tail end of his career. He was also the first to achieve this feat with just one club. Thirty names now belong in the 300-save club, but this doesn’t hurt his all-time talents. Montgomery tallied 304 saves while converting better than 80 percent of them. He also leads the Royals franchise in total games (686), saves, and games finished (543).

From 1989 to 1993, Montgomery earned two of his All-Star appearances and averaged a 2.22 ERA, 32 saves, and 56 games finished across those seasons. He may be best known for utilizing a complete four-pitch arsenal as a relief man and closer, something that is still found unconventional to this day.

The best closers in MLB history: 22. Tom Henke

• 311 total saves
• 85.0 save percentage 
• .211 opponent batting average 

This list is beginning to form somewhat of a theme. The more unique closers, whether it be with their on-field performance or off-field personality, tend to find a home on this list. Tom Henke, nicknamed “The Terminator,” is another prime example of this.

Henke has even been considered somewhat of an original Ricky Vaughn, the Charlie Sheen character from the movie ‘Major League’. Why? It’s all about those dorky glasses and an ability to shut down games with the best of them.

The Terminator adopted a full-time closer role with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1985 and never looked back from there. During his final 11 MLB seasons, Henke saved at least 20 games nine different times. He pitched for the Blue Jays for eight seasons, totaling 386 games finished and 217 saves with a 2.48 ERA.

Part of Henke’s mystique comes from his unique ability to mix things up. Throughout his career, Henke baffled hitters with different arm angles, even featuring a sidearm delivery at times. Henke finished with 311 career saves, which ranks 25th all time. He successfully converted 85 percent of these save opportunities while opponents hit just .211 against him.

His efforts over the years earned him two All-Star appearances and a World Series title in 1992 as a member of the Blue Jays.

The best closers in MLB history: 21. Robb Nen

• 314 total saves
• Marlins and Giants franchise leader in saves
• 2.94 ERA (as reliever)
• 85.3 save percentage

If not for his career-ending shoulder injury, Robb Nen may have climbed much higher on this list. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to change the past and this injury tells part of Nen’s story. Still, he may be considered the best closer in the course of two different franchise histories – the Giants and Marlins. The three-time All-Star is the career saves leader for both of these teams.

Nen retired at just 32-years-old following the 2002 campaign, a season in which he earned All-Star honors. Despite just a 10-year run in the big leagues, he ranks top-25 on the league’s all-time saves list at 314. As a closer, he recorded three different seasons with sub-2.00 ERAs and saved 35-plus games in his final seven seasons from 1996-2002.

In 2000, Nen finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting after recording 41 saves, 63 games finished, and a 1.50 ERA. He also recorded a 1.52 ERA in 1998 while saving 40 ball games. In 1997, while pitching for the World Champion Marlins, he recorded 35 saves and finished 65 games. Throughout his brilliant 10-year run, Nen allowed just 0.6 home runs per nine innings and successfully converted better than 85 percent of his save opportunities.

The best closers in MLB history: 20. Hoyt Wilhelm

• 651 games finished 
• 2.49 ERA (as reliever) 
• 228 total saves 
• 2x ERA Title 

This list would be incomplete without the first relief pitcher ever elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame. That’s Hoyt Wilhelm, one of the most famous knuckleball pitchers in league history. Wilhelm played a major role in the evolution of today’s modern closer and is one of the best to ever do it.

If either the knuckleball or becoming the first reliever in the Hall of Fame wasn’t enough to add to his unique story, don’t worry, it gets better. Willhelm enjoyed a lengthy 20-year career in the big leagues but didn’t make his MLB debut until he was 29-years-old. Yes, he didn’t retire until he was just one year shy of 50.

Let’s dive into the stats. Willhelm spent some of his career as a starter, notching more than 50 starts. In 1959, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Willhelm won the AL’s ERA title with a 2.19 mark. He also recorded a no-hitter against the Yankees the year prior. This list is about closers, though.

Wilhelm ranks 11th on the league’s all-time list of games finished with 651. He recorded 228 career saves before the role of a closer even existed. Perhaps the best stretch of his career came after he turned 40-years-old. From 1963-68 with the Chicago White Sox, Wilhelm recorded 99 saves and a 1.92 ERA. In total, his career ERA sits at 2.52 with a 2.49 mark out of the pen. Wilhelm was elected to eight All-Star Games and was also a part of the 1954 World Series winning New York Giants.

The best closers in MLB history: 19. Huston Street

• 324 total saves
• 2.95 ERA
• 6.7 walk percentage
• 24.5 strikeout percentage 

During his rookie campaign with the Oakland Athletics, Huston Street immediately began saving games. In 2005, he saved 23 contests for the Athletics while finishing 47 with a 1.72 ERA. Street took home the AL Rookie of the Year Award that season. From there, it was more than a decade of dominance for Street coming out of the bullpen.

Street owns 324 career saves, which ranks 19th on the MLB’s all-time list. Street was brilliant during his first four seasons in the league spent in Oakland. He finished 174 games, racked up 94 saves, and pitched to a 2.88 ERA. Street then made a quick four-year stop with the Los Angeles Angels, saving another 60-plus games. From there, two more stops in Colorado and San Diego, with more than 80 saves at each.

In 13 years at the professional level, Street saved at least 25 games in six different seasons. This career closer and two-time All-Star converted better than 86 percent of his save opportunities. He was known for keeping runners off base, walking less than seven percent of all batters faced. From the very start, it was a lengthy and quite successful career of saving ballgames for Street.

The best closers in MLB history: 18. Aroldis Chapman

• 315 total saves
• 484 games finished
• 2.48 ERA
• 40.2 strikeout percentage

The 10 spot belongs to the first active member of his list. Currently, Aroldis Chapman is the 10th best closer of all-time, but at 35 years old for the 2023 season and with plenty left in the tank, he’ll likely climb higher in any future editions of this ranking.

Chapman is also one of the more unique members of his list with a real opportunity to become the first left-handed relief pitcher to be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The “Cuban Missle” is best known for one pitch, although he’s a more complete pitcher than that. Still, it’s impossible to not rave about his heater.

The Cuban Missle’s fastball is so unique that it owns a place in the Guinness World Record book. On September 24, 2010, Chapman recorded a 105.1 mph fastball while pitching for the Reds. This is considered the fastest pitch to be thrown, in the world, ever. Keep in mind, this comes from a 6-foot-4 left-handed pitcher that’s listed at 218 pounds, almost entirely muscle. He has one of the most intimidating arms that hitters have ever faced and certainly one of the most-intimidating in today’s game.

Chapman also features a devastating slider and is all over the MLB Statcast record book for the most pitches clocked at three digits. In 13 years of MLB experience, mostly with the Reds and New York Yankees, Chapman owns 315 total saves, 484 games finished, and a 2.25 ERA. He also strikes out nearly 15 batters per nine innings while giving up just 0.5 home runs. It’s all about the strikeout for Chapman. Chapman strikes out 40.2 percent of hitters he faces.

The best closers in MLB history: 17. Rollie Fingers

• 341 total saves
• 709 games finished 
• 2.73 ERA (as reliever) 
• 1981 Cy Young and MVP Award winner 

Throughout the history of the MLB, just 11 pitchers have won both the Most Valuable Player Award and Cy Young Award in the same season. There are two of those names on this list. And, to accomplish this feat as a relief pitcher or closer? Incredible.

Rollie Fingers is one of those names. In 1981, while with the Milwaukee Brewers, and in his penultimate professional season, Fingers took home the dual set of hardware. He led all of baseball with 28 saves, finishing 41, all to the tune of a 1.04 ERA and 0.872 WHIP.

Fingers spent the first nine years of his career with the Athletics, who flirted with him becoming a starting pitcher. In total, he started 37 games and this experiment wasn’t highly successful. But, at the back end of a bullpen, Fingers was a whole different story. As a closer, Fingers earned seven All-Star appearances, won three World Series titles, and racked up 341 saves with a 2.73 ERA.

He finished 709 games during his 17-year career, a number that ranks fifth in league history. Fingers also walked less than eight percent of batters he faced and recorded 20-plus saves nine different times in his career. Oh, and how can we forget to mention his epic handlebar mustache. Perhaps, the most defining piece of his aura.

Fingers was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1992, making him the second relief pitcher to ever accomplish that feat at that time.

The best closers in MLB history: 16. John Wetteland

• 330 total saves 
• 2.62 ERA (as reliever) 
• 84.0 save percentage 
• 523 games finished 

John Wetteland holds a special place in the hearts of Yankees fans everywhere. His stay in the Bronx only lasted two seasons, but they were undoubtedly memorable. Wetteland saved 74 games across his two years in New York, but it was his 1996 World Series performance that’s etched in Yankee history.

He took home the 1996 World Series Most Valuable Player Award after converting a perfect 7-for-7 save opportunities throughout that postseason. This performance helped propel the Yankees to win five different games by two runs or less. Four of those saves came during the Fall Classic while Wetteland pitched to a 2.08 ERA.

Despite his brilliant run in New York, the Yankees had another closer in mind. Hint – it’s a player found later on this list. Regardless, Wetteland was dominant throughout the 1990s. He saved 330 games and finished 523 throughout his 12-year career. The three-time All-Star owns a 2.62 ERA as a reliever, struck out more than 25 percent of batters he faced and all while converting 84 percent of his save opportunities.

Wetteland also led the major leagues in saves in 1996, the same year he won the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award. He spent the bulk of his career as a Houston Astro and now resides in their Hall of Fame.

The best closers in MLB history: 15. Jeff Reardon

• 367 total saves
• 695 games finished 
• 3.16 ERA 

From 1982-1992, Jeff Reardon was one of the most reliable and dominant closers throughout baseball. Reardon spent most of that decade with three teams – the Expos, Red Sox, and Twins – and saved a ton of ballgames every place he stopped. During that 10-year run, Reardon saved 341 games and finished 577 of them all while pitching to a 3.21 ERA.

The 16-year MLB veteran ranks 10th on the all-time saves leaderboard, earning more than 367. His career 695 games finished also ranks seventh all-time. Reardon actually held the title of the all-time saves leader for one season, back in 1992 at the tail end of his incredible career. Another closer earning the nickname of “The Terminator,” Reardon saved 30 games that season, split between the Red Sox and Braves, which passed Rollie Fingers’ previous record of 341.

Going back to his incredible 10-year run, Reardon saved at least 20 games in each of those 10 seasons. He saved at least 30 games seven different times during those years as well and recorded at least 50 games finished in all but two.

Reardon ended his career with a 3.16 ERA, 1.199 WHIP, four All-Star appearances, and a 1987 World Series Championship.

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.

The best closers in MLB history: 12. Kenley Jansen

• 391 total saves
• 36.4 strikeout percentage
• 88 save percentage 
• 2.46 ERA 

Kenley Jansen marks the second active member to earn a spot on this list of all-time greats. Jansen spent the entirety of his 13-year MLB career with the Dodgers before joining the Braves in 2022. He didn’t have the single-season success of the other Dodgers member on this list in Gagne, but this is all about the full body of work.

The three-time All-Star put the finishing touches on his all-time Dodgers career when Los Angeles took home the 2020 World Series title. Sure, Jansen wasn’t his usual dominant self in the 2020 postseason, but he deserves a pass for that.

In addition to his 391 career saves, Jansen has converted 88 percent of those chances. That number ranks sixth on the MLB’s all-time list of closers with at least 200 saves. He strikes out better than 36 percent of batters he faces and is the franchise leader in both saves and total appearances.

The best closers in MLB history: 11. John Franco

• 424 total saves 
• 2.89 ERA 
• 774 games finished 
• 80.8 save percentage 

Next up on our list is one of the faces of the New York Mets in John Franco. Franco currently ranks as the Mets’ all-time saves leader (276) and games leader (695). For this left-hander, it’s all about his longevity and ability to out-last the competition.

Franco spent 21 years in the MLB, including a hiatus season due to injury in 2002, and remained a dominant closer throughout. In total, Franco earned 424 career saves, a number that ranks fifth on the all-time list. He also sits fourth on the all-time games finished list with 774. Franco remains one of the best left-handed members of this list, ranking first in total saves amongst lefties throughout MLB history.

From 1986-1998, Franco led the NL in saves three different times while recording 11 different seasons with at least 25. During that stretch, he pitched to a 2.69 ERA and allowed only 0.5 home runs per nine innings. Franco earned All-Star honors four times in his 21-year career and converted 80.8 percent of his save opportunities. It’s worth mentioning because this is only a storyline deserving of sports, but Franco grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was an avid Mets fan throughout his childhood. He’ll be etched in Mets history after spending 14 seasons in Queens.

The best closers in MLB history: 10. Goose Gossage

• 310 total saves 
• 2.77 ERA (as reliever)  
• 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee 

Another dominant reliever best known for his longevity and his time in New York. Richard “Goose” Gossage played 22 seasons in the MLB while spending his best seven with the New York Yankees. He was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

Gossage began his 22-year career with the White Sox in 1972. He bounced between the back end of the bullpen and starting games during his tenure in Chicago including his first All-Star appearance in 1975. Gossage led the big leagues with 26 saves that season with a 1.84 ERA before management opted to send him back to starting games. But, he was much more comfortable closing things out.

From 1977-1986, while operating as a full-time reliever, Gossage recorded 10-straight seasons with at least 18 saves. He recorded 248 saves in that run and owned a 2.27 ERA and 2.65 FIP. Equipped with his infamous horseshoe mustache, Gossage came at hitters with an intimidating scowl and one of the most-feared fastballs ever. This heater reached 100 mph at times, and Yankees fans loved every minute of it.

Gossage spent six seasons in the midst of his career with the Yankees and was unstoppable. He pitched to a 2.10 ERA and 2.59 FIP during that stretch, while recording an average of 25 saves per season. He earned nine All-Star appearances throughout his Hall of Fame career and won the 1978 World Series title during his first year in New York.

The best closers in MLB history: 9. Joe Nathan

• 377 total saves 
• 587 games finished 
• 2.50 ERA (as reliever) 
• 1.33 ERA in 2008 

Like quite a few other names on this list, Joe Nathan began his career as a starting pitcher but quickly found a home in the bullpen. And, what a sweet home it was. Nathan spent 16 years in the MLB while recording 377 total saves, a number that ranks eighth on the all-time saves leaderboard. He converted better than 89 percent of his save opportunities and is regarded as one of the best at striking out his opponents. Nathan struck out 25.9 percent of batters he faced.

Best remembered for his Twins career, Nathan spent seven seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He recorded 260 saves in a Twins uniform, the most in franchise history. During that seven-year run, Nathan also finished 394 games while pitching to a 2.16 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 0.956 WHIP, and 10.9 strikeouts per nine.

In 2009, one of Nathan’s six All-Star appearances, he recorded a career-high 47 saves to the tune of a 2.10 ERA. He also owns five different seasons pitching at least 60 innings with sub-2.00 ERAs. Two of those years, that ERA sat below 1.40, including a career-best 1.33 ERA performance in 2008.

He currently sits in the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.

The best closers in MLB history: 8. Jonathan Papelbon

• 368 saves 
• 585 games finished 
• 2.44 ERA 
• 10 K/9

How good was Jonathan Papelbon? Just ask Yankees fans. From 2006-09, Papelbon tormented Yankees hitters and hitters across baseball while playing for the Boston Red Sox.

During that four-year stretch, Papelbon saved 151 games or 38 per year, while posting a 1.74 ERA and 0.917 WHIP. This performance was a key factor in the Red Sox 2007 World Series Championship. Papelbon was un-hittable during that 2007 postseason, giving up no runs in 10.2 innings and recording four saves throughout.

Papelbon played 12 seasons in the MLB while recording 368 saves and 585 games finished. His 368 saves ranks ninth all-time, while he successfully converted 88.2 percent of these chances. He recorded eight seasons with at least 30 saves, seven of which came with more than 35. In total, Papelbon pitched to a 2.44 career ERA, striking out an even 10 batters per nine innings.

His individual dominance was punctuated with a litany of awards including the Delivery Man of the Year in 2007 and six All-Star selections. In 2014, Papelbon also pitched a combined no-hitter. With his consistency and relentless efforts throughout the years, Papelbon is one of the most feared relievers in MLB history and his placement on this list was a no-brainer.

The best closers in MLB history: 7. Dennis Eckersley

• 390 total saves 
• 1992 Cy Young and MVP Award winner 
• 2.85 ERA (as reliever) 
• 84.6 save percentage 

There are a number of closers on this list that began their careers as starting pitchers. But, no one else did it quite like Dennis Eckersley.

Eckersley spent his first 12 MLB seasons as a full-time starting pitcher. In fact, he won close to 150 games and pitched to a 3.71 ERA along with two different All-Star appearances. Sure, he wasn’t the best starting pitcher in baseball, but he was more than reliable.

But, in 1987, everything changed. The Oakland Athletics pushed Eckersley to the back end of the bullpen to help revitalize his career. The result? It worked, beautifully.

Eckersley spent the final 12 years of his lengthy 24-year career as a closer and dominated the game. In that span, he recorded at least 30 saves in eight different seasons and owned a 2.85 ERA as a reliever. Eckersley led all of baseball in saves twice, hitting 45 and 51, respectively. In total, he recorded 390 career saves, the seventh-most all-time.

The highlight of Eckersley’s career came in 1992 when he took home a set of dual hardware. Eckersley is just one of 11 pitchers to win both the Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award in the same season and just the second relief pitcher to ever accomplish that feat. In 1992, Eckersley led all of baseball with 51 saves, also recording 65 games finished with a 1.91 ERA, 1.72 FIP, and 0.913 WHIP.

The best closers in MLB history: 6. Craig Kimbrel

• 394 total saves 
• 2.31 ERA 
• 89 save percentage 

Of the 30 best closers of all time, Craig Kimbrel ranks as the highest-rated active member of this list. The 13-year MLB veteran and current Chicago Cub has been feared by baseball’s best hitters since his debut in 2010. Kimbrel already owns 348 career saves and at just 34 years old has the opportunity to climb higher on this list.

It’s unfair to talk about Kimbrel without explaining part of his intimidating mystique. If this list ranked the most unique or unusual pitching stances in league history, Kimbrel takes home the top spot. As pictured above, there’s a lot of theories about this unusual stance, but with the pitching talent of Kimbrel, it just makes him that much more intimidating. Sports Illustrated colorfully nicknamed his stance a “predatory, pterodactylian pose – bent at the waist, right arm held askance like an open wing.”

But, let’s get back into the stats. Taking out his past two seasons of struggles in Chicago, Kimbrel owned an incredible 1.91 ERA during his first nine seasons in the MLB. He led the NL in saves four different times, racking up 333 saves, 449 games finished, and seven All-Star appearances. Throughout Kimbrel’s entire career, he’s recorded at least 40 saves five separate times.

In total, Kimbrel owns 394 saves, a 2.31 ERA, 2.34 FIP, and an 89 save percentage. Simply, brilliant.

The best closers in MLB history: 5. Billy Wagner

• 422 total saves 
• 703 games finished 
• 2.31 ERA 
• 33.2 strikeout percentage 

While he may not be the greatest closer of all time, Billy Wagner is one of the best left-handed closers in the history of the game. Wagner baffled opposing hitters with his upper 90’s fastball, devastating slider, and a changeup that clocked close to 90mph.

Notoriously, Wagner was a natural right-hander. According to folklore (and Sports Illustrated), Wagner twice broke his right arm while growing up. Because of this, he began throwing a baseball left-handed, and never looked back. Wagner owns the second-most career saves by a lefty. His 422 career saves sits just two shy of John Franco, but Wagner accomplished this feat in less time (16 seasons).

Wagner’s 422 saves and 703 games finished both rank sixth all-time. He successfully converted 85.9 percent of his save opportunities and pitched to an incredible 2.31 ERA in his career. Wagner also struck out 33.2 percent of batters he faced or 11.9 per nine innings. He also recorded nine different seasons with at least 30 saves.

He closed out his incredible career as a seven-time All-Star which occurred throughout the late 90s and most of the 200s. Wagner also took home the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1999 and currently resides in the Houston Astros Hall of Fame.

The best closers in MLB history: 4. Francisco Rodriguez

• 437 total saves 
• 85.2 save percentage 
• 28.5 strikeout percentage 
• 2.86 ERA 

While he may have been overshadowed slightly by some counterparts from his recent era (two names found later on this list), it’s impossible to ignore how elite Francisco Rodriguez was. He’s easily one of the best closers in recent memory and his stats, when juxtaposed against the all-time best at his position, back it up.

Fans may recognize him better by his colorful nickname: “K-Rod.” Not that it needs any explanation, but we’ll clarify. K-Rod struck out a ton of batters during his 16-year career. With one of those fastballs that just looks and feels faster than the radar gun indicates, Rodriguez baffled hitters early in his career. He also had the pleasure of throwing before and learning under another great Angel on this list, Troy Percival. This included a 2004 All-Star appearance where Rodriguez pitched to a 1.82 ERA.

Angels management knew they had their next star closer with K-Rod taking over full-time closer duties the following year. He didn’t let this opportunity slip away and went on to lead the AL with 45 saves in 2005. A few years later, in 2008, K-Rod led all of baseball with 62 saves. This mark remains the league record for most saves in a single season.

These league-leading campaigns were part of a seven-year stretch in which Rodriguez saved at least 23 games. During that same stretch, he eclipsed 40 saves in four different seasons. During the late 2000s decade, Rodriguez seemed to lose some life on his fastball. He reinvented himself though, featuring a repertoire highlighted by his curveball and changeup combo, and saved 126 games in three of his final four years in the league.

Rodriguez saved a total of 437 games throughout his career, a number that ranks fourth on the all-time list. He converted better than 85 percent of his opportunities while striking out 28.5 percent of batters he faced.

The best closers in MLB history: 3. Lee Smith

• 478 total saves 
• 802 games finished 
• 3.03 ERA
• 2.93 FIP 

MLB and baseball fans everywhere almost missed out on the Hall of Fame career by Lee Smith. According to his Cooperstown plaque, Smith excelled at basketball throughout his childhood. In fact, he only played baseball on a part-time basis. But, as legend has it, bad knees forced Smith to take a better look at his baseball abilities. Thankfully, he did just that.

After an incredible 18-year career with eight different teams, Smith hung up his baseball cleats in 1997 with the most saves in baseball history (for the time being). Best known for his performances with the Chicago Cubs, the team that drafted him, Smith got out to a hot start early in his career. With his blazing fastball in hand, the seven-time All-Star dominated baseball.

In 1983, his first full season as the Cubs closer, Smith led the NL with 29 saves, 56 games finished, and a stunning 1.65 ERA. This was just the start of a 13-year run where Smith recorded at least 25 saves in every season. Twice in that span, Smith led all of baseball in that category, including a 47-save output in 1991 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Smith was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2019. In total, he saved 478 games throughout his career. This number now ranks third on the all-time list. Smith also ranks third in games finished, with 802, and pitched to a career 3.03 ERA and 2.93 FIP.

The best closers in MLB history: 2. Trevor Hoffman

• 601 total saves 
• 856 games finished 
• 88.8 save percentage 
• 2.87 ERA 

The second greatest closer of all-time was a little different from the others, at least in terms of his pitch selection. Many of the names on this list rely or relied on an overpowering fastball to finish the final three outs of their saves. But for Trevor Hoffman, he did things a little bit differently.

Instead, it was all about his devastating changeup. Don’t be mistaken, Hoffman did plenty of damage with his fastball. But, the putaway pitch, the strikeout pitch, it was all about changing speeds. And, after 18 years of this tricky combo, Hoffman walked away from the game as one of the best to ever do it.

The 2018 Hall of Fame inductee racked up 601 saves throughout his career. He’s the only other player in baseball history to eclipse the 600-save mark. Hint, the other member on that list is up next. He also ranks second all-time in games finished with 856.

Hoffman earned his 600th save in his final season in the big leagues. It was absolutely deserving, but perhaps a bit of a ceremonious run. We say that because his 16-year run prior to this ceremonious season, from 1994-2009, was unstoppable. During that span, Hoffman averaged 44 saves each season while pitching to a 2.62 ERA and 2.89 FIP. He recorded at least 40 saves in nine years during that run and almost 800 of his games finished.

The seven-time All-Star converted better than 88 percent of his save opportunities and struck out 25.8 percent of batters he faced.

The best closers in MLB history: 1.

• 652 total saves 
• 952 games finished 
• 205 ERA+
• 2.21 ERA 

While brainstorming and researching for this list of greatest closers, there was one name and one name only that came to mind for the number one spot. Drumroll, please. You guessed it. Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in MLB history.

There’s so much to say and rave about Rivera, but it’s best to start with the pitch selection. This plays a huge role in why he was the most intimidating relief pitcher of all time. When batters walked to the plate with the game on the line against Rivera, they already knew what pitch was coming. New York Yankees catchers didn’t even have to bother to conceal their signs. It was the cutter. Despite knowing exactly what was coming, the greatest baseball hitters on the planet couldn’t touch it.

Side note: “Mo” likely owns the unofficial record for the most bats ever broken. His cutter was filthy, locking up left-handed hitters and freezing the righties.

Rivera walked away from his Hall of Fame career after 19 brilliant seasons, all in the Bronx. He owns the all-time record for games finished (952), total saves (652), and ERA+ (205). Rivera earned 13 All-Star appearances, won five World Series titles, and was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2019. Even Rivera’s Hall of Fame induction was noteworthy – he became the first player (and maybe the only) to ever receive a unanimous selection by the voting committee.

In 19 seasons, Rivera led all of baseball in total saves three different times. He pitched to a career ERA of 2.21 and 1.000 WHIP. Rivera was the most dominant and, at the same time, the most reliable closer in this game’s history. He converted 89.1 of his save opportunities and struck out 23 percent of batters he faced. As a full-time closer from 1997-2013, Rivera’s ERA fell below 2.00 in 11 different seasons.