The best MLB closers of all time

In 14 seasons, Percival totaled 358 saves, which rank among the all-time top 20 in Major League Baseball history. In 1996 (his second season), while pitching for the then-California Angels, Percival recorded 36 saves in 39 attempts and 100 strikeouts. As of 2023, he’s one of six pitchers in Angels history to tally at least 100 strikeouts without starting a game. The four-time All-Star recorded at least 31 saves eight times and posted a career-high 42 for the Angels in 1998. Percival helped the Angels win the 2002 World Series, when he made 40 saves and owned a 1.92 ERA. 

Entering the 2023 season, Nen ranked 25th all time with 314 major-league saves acquired during his 10-year career, mostly with the then-Florida Marlins and San Francisco Giants. From 1996 until 2002, Nen recorded at least 35 saves in each season. And, in his final three seasons of 2000-02, with the Giants, Nen posted 41 saves, a career-high and MLB-leading 45 and 43 saves, respectively. The three-time All-Star Nen, who struck out 793 batters during his career, also won a World Series with the Marlins in 1997. His 85.3 save percentage also ranks among MLB’s top 20 as of 2023. 

It wasn’t until 1982, roughly four seasons into his major-league career, that Reardon truly found his calling as an effective closer. That season with Montreal, Readon posted 26 saves. Three years later, he won the National League Rolaids Relief Man Award (1976-2012), when he recorded 41 saves. A four-time All-Star, Reardon remained one of the game’s best closers when his career moved to Minnesota, where he helped the Twins win the 1987 World Series, and posted a career-high 42 saves a year later. Reardon claimed his third and final 40-save season in 1991 with Boston. He finished his career with 367 saves in 16 seasons.

Myers had an interesting career in the majors, to say the least. Following his first full major-league season in 1987 with the New York Mets, Myers saved 26-of-29 games in ’88. In 1990, as a member of “The Nasty Boys,” he saved 31 for the first of Cincinnati’s two straight World Series triumphs. With the Padres in 1992, Myers was tried as a starter, but went 6-13. He would return to the closer role and saved 38 games, then recorded a career-high 53 with the Chicago Cubs in 1993. A two-time NL Rolaids Relief Man Award winner (1993, ’97), Myers converted 347 saves in 407 opportunities over 14 seasons.

Back in 2005, the intent was for the rookie Papelbon to be a starter for the Boston Red Sox. That lasted all of three games. By the next season, Papelbon recorded 35 saves and earned the first of his six All-Star nods. From 2006-12, for the Red Sox and Philadelphia, Papelbon posted at least 31 saves and converted a career-high 41 in 2008, one season after helping Boston win the World Series. Entering the 2023 season, Papelbon’s 368 saves rank 11th all time in MLB history. Meanwhile, his 88.2 save percentage is eighth-best in the history of the game. 

Radatz’s major-league career lasted parts of eight seasons, but he remains one of the great early closers of all time. As a rookie with Boston in 1962, Radatz led the American League with 24 saves and nine wins in relief. In 1964, Radatz also led the league with a career-high 29 saves. He recorded 104 saves during his five seasons with the Red Sox, and by the time Radatz’s MLB career came to an end, he’d saved 120 games. He also posted a record of 52-43 and had a 3.13 ERA while striking out 745 batters and earning two All-Star nods. 

From 2002-’04, there was not a more dominant closer in the game than the sports-goggled wearing Gagne. A starter turned reliever, Gagne converted 152-of-158 saves, including an MLB-record 84 in a row, during that span for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2003, the burly right-hander made good on all 55 of his save opportunities, posted 1.20 ERA and struck out 137 batters en route to winning the NL Cy Young Award. Though Gagne never achieved near the same level of success after 2004, he won a World Series with Boston in 2007, and his 91.7 save percentage (187-of-204) remains the best in major-league history.

As of 2023, Chapman still had a job in the majors. Though he’s had his issues off the field, Chapman’s accomplishments in the professional arena are worthy of mention when talking all-time great closers. He got his start with Cincinnati in 2010, and posted back-to-back 38-save seasons in 2012 and ’13. Entering the 2023 season, the seven-time All-Star had eight years with at least 30 saves, and 354 total before taking the field with the Kansas City Royals. Though a good deal of his success came with the Reds and the New York Yankees, Chapman helped the Chicago Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years in 2016. 

Wetteland broke into the majors as a starter with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1989, but three years later he would began a rather remarkable run as a closer. In 1992 with Montreal, Wetteland recorded 37 saves, and posted at least 31 in eight of the next nine years before finishing his career with Texas in 2000. On four occasions, the right-hander saved at least 42, and won the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award with 43 for the World Series-champion New York Yankees in 1996, when he converted all four save chances against Atlanta in the Fall Classic. All totaled, the three-time finished his stellar MLB career with 330 saves.

Standing 6-foot-5 and sporting everyman glasses, Henke didn’t seem like an intimidating presence on the mound. Then he unleashed a pitch, and during the mid-1980s through the middle of the ’90s, there were not many closers feared more than Henke. His dominance as a closer came in his second year with Toronto, in 1986, when he made 27 saves. By the start of the 1990s, Henke was at truly at his best. He posted posted four straight seasons with at least 32 saves, won a World Series with the Blue Jays in 1993, when he set a career high with 40, and won the NL Rolaids Relief Award with 36 saves for St. Louis in his final MLB season of 1995. For his 14-year career, Henke posted 311 saves while converting 85 percent of his chances. 

As Jansen began his 14th major-league season in 2023, this time with the Boston Red Sox, he was poised to join the 400 save club. While Jansen made his bones with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2010-2021, and helped them win a World Series, he’s shown there’s success to be had outside Chavez Ravine. A three-time All-Star, Jansen has topped the 40-save mark four times during his stellar career. He led the NL in saves with 41 for the Dodgers in 2017, and as a member of the Braves in 2022, when he again recorded 41. He entered ’23 with a save percentage of 88.3.

When it comes to sustainable success and dependability in the closer role, Nathan is among the elite in that aspect. During his 16 major-league seasons, Nathan recorded 377 saves while converting a stellar 89.1 percent of those opportunities. In his first two seasons with Minnesota, and as a closer, in 2004 and 2005, the 6-5 right-hander posted 44 and 43 saves, respectively. A six-time All-Star, Nathan set a career high with 47 saves in 2009, when he won the AL Rolaids Relief Award. When he moved on to Texas, Nathan had seasons of 37 and 43 saves in 2012 and ’13. He also recorded 35 saves with Detroit in 2014.  

Kimbrel entered the 2023 season with Philadelphia — his 14th in the majors — as another active reliever on the doorstep of 400 saves. From 2011-14, Kimbrel, who often sported a menacing beard and always that funky stance before going into his stretch, recorded four seasons of at least 42 saves for Atlanta. He saved 50 of 54 chances for the Braves in 2013, when he was named Delivery Man of he Year — one season after earning NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year honors. An eight-time All-Star, Kimbrel notched 42 saves on 47 opportunities to help Boston win the 2018 World Series. 

With 422 saves accumulated during his stellar 16-year career, Wagner is obviously in elite company. In nine of those seasons, Wagner recorded at least 30 saves,, and his 44 from 2003, with the Houston Astros, were a career high. He also fanned 1,196 batters during his tenure. Wagner was a seven-time All-Star, won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1999, when he converted 39-of-42 save chances as an Astro. Wagner also recorded 40 saves for the New York Mets in 2006, and during his final MLB campaign of 2010, notched 37 with Atlanta.

A star with both Cincinnati and the New York Mets, Franco is one of the most celebrated pitchers of all time. His 1,119 pitching appearances is the most by any other in the NL, where he spent all 21 seasons. Entering the 2023 season, Franco’s 424 career saves are fifth-most in the history of Major League Baseball — and remain a record for a left-hander. A four-time All-Star, he led the NL in saves on three occasions, recorded at least 30 eight times and won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1988, when he posted a career-high 39 with Cincinnati, and again in ’90, for the Mets.

From 1980-85 and armed with a submarine-pitching style, Quisenberry was among the best major leaguers around. And, we’re not just talking about closers. He posted 12 wins and 33 saves while helping Kansas City reach the World Series in 1980, then shut the door on 45 and 44 save opportunities in 1983 and ’84, respectively. One year later, his 37 saves were a big part in the Royals’ run to the World Series title. Not to mention, Quisenberry’s five AL Rolaids Relief Man Awards are tied for the most in MLB history. During his 12-year career, the three-time All-Star recorded 244 of 305 save chances.

Thanks to an overwhelming dancing knuckleball, Wilhelm pitched for parts of 21 seasons (1952-’72) in the majors, and for nine teams. The eight-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, Wilhelm certainly left a legendary mark as the first major leaguer to record 200 saves, and finished with 228, including a career-high 27 with the Chicago White Sox in 1964. Wilhelm, who won a World Series with the New York Giants in 1954, also posted 143 big-league victories, notably a record-124 in relief. He was also the first major-league pitcher to appear in 1,000 games. 

Perhaps better known as “K-Rod.” Rodriguez’s career spanned 16 seasons, and his 437 saves rank fourth in MLB history. Meanwhile, the excitable and energetic right-hander set a major-league record with 62 saves during the 2008 season with the Los Angeles Angels, with whom he won a World Series in 2002 — his first in the majors. Rodriguez posted six seasons with at least 40 saves, including 44 with Milwaukee in 2014, and the same for Detroit during his second-to-last campaign of 2016. A six-time All-Star, “K-Rod” led the AL in saves three times and twice won the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award (2006, ’08).

One of the great characters of the game, who also was a major reason why the closer spot became a valued commodity. With his gruff physical look and demeanor, Gossage saved 310 games during a remarkable 22-year career that spanned three decades. Gossage, who was poised to be a starter in the early years of his career with the Chicago White Sox, also remains among the majors’ all-time leaders in appearances (1,002), relief victories (115) and relief innings (1,556 2/3). A nine-time All-Star, the Hall of Famer won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1978, and posted a career-high 33 saves for the club in 1980.

In the annals of Major League Baseball, Smith ranks third with 478 career saves. He also sits third with 581 save opportunities. At 6-6 and more than 260 pounds, Smith was certainly an intimidating presence during his 18 seasons. The Hall of Famer broke in with the Chicago Cubs in 1980, and his 180 saves over eight seasons are still a club record. Following some time in Boston, Smith set an NL record with 47 saves for St. Louis in 1991. In 1993, while splitting time with the Cardinals and New York Yankees, the seven-time All-Star and four-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner posted 46 saves. From 1993-2006, Smith was the majors’ all-time saves leader.

The master of the split-finger fastball, Sutter earned his place in the Hall of Fame as one of the game’s elite closers during the late 1970s and into the 80s. In just his second major-league season of 1977 with the Chicago Cubs, the right-hander converted 31 saves and had 129 strikeouts with a 1.34 ERA. Two years later, Sutter was the NL Cy Young Award winner by posting 37 saves, 110 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA. He then moved to St. Louis, where he made 36 saves in 1982 — the same season the Cardinals won the World Series. In 1984, Sutter made a career-high 45 saves before finishing his final three seasons in Atlanta. In his 12 MLB seasons, Sutter recorded exactly 300 saves, was also a six-time All-Star, five-time NL saves leader and won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1979, ’81, ’82 and ’84.

One of the great stories of successful reinvention in all of sports. During the second of the 1970s, Eckersley was one of the best starters in the game. He pitched a no-hitter for Cleveland in 1977 and won 20 games for Boston in 1978. However, by the mid 1980s, Eckersley’s career was amid a downward spiral — along with his dependence on alcohol. Following a stint in rehab, Eckersley landed in Oakland in 1987. That’s where manager Tony La Russa used him as a reliever, and ultimately the team’s closer. In 1988, Eckersley saved 45 games (and also gave up that World Series homer to Kirk Gibson). He saved 48-of-50 chances in 1990 and was the AL Cy Young Award winner and AL MVP in 1992, when he recorded 51 saves, on 54 attempts, and posted a 1.91 ERA to become the first pitcher with a 20-win and 50-save season. A six-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, Eckersley ranks ninth with 390 saves.

When it comes to bringing prominence, even glamour, to the closer role, Fingers was the trendsetter. Complete with his handlebar mustache and unbuoyed confidence, the Hall-of-Famer totaled 341 saves and had a 2.90 ERA during his 17-year career. He was one of the stars of those Oakland teams that won three straight World Series from 1972-’74 (and was the Series MVP in ’74). In 1977, Fingers joined the San Diego Padres, where he set career highs of 35 and 37 in his first two seasons, respectively. Fingers finished his career in Milwaukee, where in his first season of 1981, won both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award while going 6-3 with 28 saves and a ridiculous 1.04 ERA. A seven-time All-Star, Fingers won four Rolaids Relief Man Awards — and with three different teams.

One of two pitchers in Major League Baseball history with at least 600 saves. In Hoffman’s case, 601, and he introduced a new generation of baseball fans to AC/DC’s “Hells Bells.” The hard-throwing, business-as-usual Hoffman spent 18 seasons in the majors, parts of 16 with the San Diego Padres, where’s a straight-up legend. The Hall of Famer was the first pitcher in MLB history to record both 500 and 600 saves, and had a career-high 53 for the Padres in 1998. His 88.8 save percentage ranks fifth-best all time, and was a seven-time All-Star, while also winning the Rolaids Relief Man Award twice.

Making a sports ranking of just about any kind is subjective. However, when it comes to picking the greatest closer in Major League Baseball history, it’s really not that close. When “Enter Sandman” blared from the Yankee Stadium sound system, it literally was closing time. The majors’ all-time saves leader with 652, Rivera amassed during a 19-year career that was all spent in the Bronx. He was a 13-time All-Star, five-time Rolaids Relief Man Award winner and won five World Series titles with the Yankees. The Hall of Famer posted at least 40 saves on nine occasions, struck out 1,173 batters and is among the all-time leaders with a 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. All while appearing in 1,115 games.