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.