Curiously enough, Eckersley didnt win the Cy Young award in his best year but then won the award along with the league MVP two seasons later in 1992 when he went 7-1 with a 1.91 ERA and 51 saves, then the second-best single-season total of all-time. That said, look for the results for catchers tomorrow. In 1920, Adams gave up only 18 BB in 263 innings. Stats: 341 saves, 2.90 ERA, 1.156 WHIP, 2.64 K:BB, 120 ERA+, Accolades: 7 All-Star appearances, 1 MVP, 1 Cy Young award, 3 World Series rings, 1 World Series MVP, Baseball Hall of Fame. Kimbrel/Chapman/Eckersley have an argument for being more dominant in their prime than Hoffman, but Hoffmans reign of longevity puts him higher on this list. Robinson went on to win the triple crown in '66 and the MVP award for the American League. He allowed just two home runs to 527 batters in the playoffs. He finished second in the MVP balloting. All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. He featured a sinking fastball and a curve, later known as a slider. Every supporting evidence points to him being a HOF pitcher. Babe Adams was a great pitcher who was overlooked by the veterans committee. They have been treated very differently by baseball writers voting for the HOF. "With pick #132, @Brian59044 selects the first real relief pitcher of the draft, Phoenix Sanders. Rollie Fingers may be the most decorated relief pitcher in baseball history, and that list includes Mariano Rivera. Chapmans statistics look mind-boggling, even when you account for the fact that every reliever strikes out a ton of hitters. He sustained his excellence late into his career. I gave a list of 10 players at each position, based primarily on who I thought voters would expect to be in the poll. Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame reliever and 1979 Cy Young winner, has died at the age of 69. Bridges was still an effective pitcher after his peak. That said, after 425 responses, voting has officially wrapped for this poll. The average run scoring in the period was some 20-25 percent more than the league average. Reulbach used a high leg kick, a la Juan Marichal, to hide the delivery of the best curve ball of his generation. Kaat is at 2.3, nowhere near HoF level. They all pitched in New York. Recently retired stars sure to get a serious look once theyre eligible -- such as Ichiro Suzuki, Joe Mauer and Adrin Beltr -- are noted in the honorable mentions below. After breaking in with the Cleveland Indians, Tommy John spent significant time with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees, as well as a shorter stint with the California Angels. Honorable mentions: Bill Dahlen, Omar Vizquel, Jimmy Rollins, Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada, Jim Fregosi. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. He relented, signed with St. Louis, but they then shipped him off to the expansion Toledo Blue Stockings. His name is best known for the elbow surgery named after him that, not only prolonged his career, but many after him. John's pitching exploits began in Chicago where he was part of the stingiest pitching staffs ever compiled. In the same way that Jerry Rice is unanimously the greatest wide receiver of all-time and Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player and Babe Ruth is the greatest baseball player, Mariano Rivera is far and above any other closer to ever play the game of baseball. Supporting evidence also shows that John was an effective pitcher. Pierce was known for his battles against the White Sox nemesis, the New York Yankees, and in particular against Whitey Ford. He got just 10.5 percent of the Hall of Fame voting in 2016, his first year of eligibility, and was still only at 31.7 percent at last year. No real surprises at the top, I suppose. He had winning streaks of 14 and 17 games, and at one point held the NL record consecutive scoreless inning streak with 44. To start, there are only eight primary relievers in Cooperstown; Rivera, Dennis Eckersley, Hoyt Wilhelm, Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith, and Trevor Hoffman. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 14) Bucky Walters (1934-1948,50) (198-160; 3.30 ERA; ERA+ 115; 42 SHO; 3,104 IP/ 2,990 H/ 8.7 H/9; 1,107 K/ 1,121 BB; 1.324 WHIP). He had ample zip on his fastball. I attempted to rank the 10 best ever. Mariano Rivera was a failed starter. He continued to dominate major league hitters for the next five years. His WHIP of 1.09 is remarkable, as are his 44 shutouts. Drysdale, Ferguson Jenkins, and Early Wynn are the other pitchers with 49 shutouts, and all are in the HOF. The most significant threads arose as I looked at these pitchers one at a time and then together as a group. Warneke has more shutouts, a better K/BB ratio, and a better WHIP. Dave Parker, Does he belong in the Hall of Fame? Only players who are known primarily as relief pitchers or closers. Detroit lists Bridges and Lolich. Hoyt Wilhelm saved 228 games and won 143 more during 21 seasons in the big leagues. He had one shutout. His 187 career ERA+ is second among retired relief pitchers to only Mariano Rivera. Stats: 601 saves, 2.87 ERA, 1.058 WHIP, 3.69 K:BB, 141 ERA+, Accolades: 7 All-Star appearances, Baseball Hall of Fame. In his first full year in '32, Warneke led the league in wins, ERA, and shutouts. Blyleven had tremendous stuff on the ball: fastball, curve and change-up. One naturally asks this question when compiling a list like this. Will White played the majority of his career in Cincinnati for the Reds of the National League and Red Stockings of the American Association. This time he refused and was forced to sit out a season in order to play for Cincinnati, which he did. Tony Mullane was just inducted into the Cincinnati Reds HOF earlier this year. Some historians have labeled the shorter career effect as the Smokey Joe Wood effect, referring to HOF pitchers whose career lengths were shorter than required for HOF inclusion, but whose careers made a significant impact and thus we're inducted. a position average JAWS is computed.For some positions, the 2) Luis Tiant (1964-1982) (229-172; 3.30 ERA; ERA+ 114; 49 SHO; 3,486 IP/ 3,075 H/ 7.9 H/9; 2416 K/ 1104 BB/ 2.19 ratio; 1.199 WHIP). 9. He pitched the vast majority of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mariano Rivera. Theres no one since Randy Johnson who puts fear into batters like Aroldis Chapman does. What if Milt Pappas had not been traded to Cincinnati? How many relief pitchers are on a baseball team? There have been historical events that have influenced voting. The players who dominated, not just for a season or two, but for years. Wagner had three of them, and they came in three consecutive years (1997, 1998, and 1999). Kimbrel is the only closer in history with as many as 200 saves and a save percentage over 90, and hes sitting comfortably at first on the active leaderboard at 346 saves. Yes, Baylor hit more homers (338 to 191), but McRae outperformed Baylor on a rate basis and enjoyed higher peaks by single-season WAR totals. The process of selection and voting for the HOF has been uneven at best. His 3,701 Ks make Blyleven fifth all-time. Luis Tiant was born in Cuba and his father was a famous pitcher for the Cuban national team. But by '35, after being sold to the Phillies and because of his great arm, the manager and coaches pushed him to pitch. Holds MLB record with 652 saves. Pitching in an era before closers were sexy, McMahon pitched 872 games out of the bullpen won . After being traded to the Pirates in the National League, he helped the team to a World Series title. And he never got a single Cy Young vote. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sportswriters and players wondered how Pierce could go toe-to-toe with the firepower of the Yankees, coming armed with slap hitters Nellie Fox, Luis Aparicio, and Minnie Minoso. By '59, Pappas was a mainstay of the Orioles staff. He went on to tally 324 saves over a 13-year career, good for 20th on the all-time list, putting him squarely in the Hall of Very Good category among relief pitchers. getting voted into the Hall of Fame is difficult for relief . After a down year and a couple of years dealing with injury, he ended up in Boston where he re-invented himself in '72. But his rookie year really came in 09 for Pirates at age 27. Awards. Over a five-year span, he led the league in saves twice, finished in the top six in Cy Young award voting four times, and turned in one of the most dominant seasons in baseball history in 1990: 0.61 ERA, 48 saves, 73 K to 4 BB in 73.1 IP. 15) Ed Reulbach (1905-1917) (182-106; 2.28 ERA; ERA+ 123; 40 SHO; 2,632 IP/ 2,117 H/ 7.2 H/9; 1,137 K/ 892 BB/ 1.27 ratio; 1.143 WHIP). He pitched a one hit shutout in the '06 series, and on Sept, 26, 1908 he pitched back to back shutouts on the same day. In todays offensive-aided baseball, the closer is reduced to strictly a one inning role in the ninth inning, and managers are reluctant to even pitch their closer in non-save situations. 2/4/18 Super Bowl champs. He was the first player to wear glasses while he played. 3 Curt Schilling 4.9 Four straight seasons early on Kimbrel led the league in saves, posting absurd single-season ERAs of 2.10, 1.01, 1.21, and 1.61. The most-deserving players not in the Hall of Fame: Pitchers Embed from Getty Images see more Roger Clemens, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox prepares to throw a pitch during the Major League Baseball American League East game against the Cleveland Indians on 27 May 1987 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Initials. Arguably Fingers most impressive statistic is his percentage of career saves that were clean saves Fingers is at 15 percent, the lowest of any Hall of Fame closer. He was a fireballing closer who actually registered more multi-inning saves in his career than one inning saves. Until the late 50s over half the teams were based on the East Coast. then in Boston. Active: Terry Francona , Rocco Baldelli , Dave Roberts , . His 60 shutoutsninth all timeare automatic HOF material. Do you have a sports website? He is one of our all-time greats. Reggie Jackson struck out the most times. To come up with this list I researched the best pitchers of each era. He is among the top ten pitchers of the live ball era1921-1945. Blyleven continued his career in Cleveland, working through injury to re-invent his delivery and now legendary curve ball. Perhaps his strongest career stat is his 43 shutouts, more than Hunter, Jim Bunning, Lemon, Newhowser, and Sandy Koufax. Against the Yankees in the series, he pitched well in game two, but took a 3-2 loss. But by 48 the Tigers gave up on Pierce, shipping him off to the White Sox. He simply does not have the statistics or the longevity. Oct 14, 2022, 04:09 PM EDT. The top ten pitchers eligible but not in the HoF, by rWAR/200 IP, minimum 2000 IP: 1 Roger Clemens 5.7 One hundred years have passed since Shoeless Joes last big league season, and his talent and numbers (a ridiculous .356 career average and 170 career OPS+) may still make him the best choice for this spot 100 years from now. LF: Barry BondsThis doesnt require much explanation; Bonds is the greatest player many of us have seen in our lifetimes, and he had accrued surefire Hall credentials before his alleged PED use clouded the picture. 4 Rick Reuschel 4.0 His 46 shutouts are HOF worthy, and his postseason resume shows he was still good against the best competition of the era. Lofton and Andruw Jones still have compelling arguments here, with Lofton's particularly acute given that he went one and done on a crowded ballot in 2013. As a teen he went to watch Sandy Koufax pitch and later learned how to throw a curve ball with a hold similar to Koufax. 1) Bert Blyleven (1970-1992) (287-250; 3.31 ERA; ERA+ 118; 60 SHO; 4970/ 4632 H/ 8.4 H/9; 3701 K/ 1322 BB/ 2.80 K/BB ratio; 1.198 WHIP). The beloved submariner has a case for the 1980s best reliever, having won five Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Awards, finishing with a league-adjusted 146 ERA+ and helping the Royals claim two pennants and the 1985 World Series title. With quick succession he sold or traded them to other teams. The Blue Stockings folded after one year, and he then signed with Cincinnati. Babe Adams had brief looks at the major leagues in 06 with the St. Louis Cardinals and 07 for the Pirates. 952 games finished ranks first all-time. Im a little bummed to see Wes Ferrell and Rick Reuschel anchoring the list, though its not stunning. Featuring a slider-heavy arsenal, Lyle twice led the AL in saves and games finished, helping the Yankees to two titles. Bridges is only six wins shy of the requisite 200 to be considered for the HOF. Nothing in his pitching resume says he doesnt belong in the HOF. Even though others have won Cy Young awards (and even regular season MVPs), Rivera was as close as youll find to a perfect closer, and he did this all with just the legendary cutter. For anyone who cares, heres a more detailed breakdown of the votes each pitcher received for each ranking. He held the career record in saves when he retired (341). Stats: 422 saves, 2.31 ERA, 0.998 WHIP, 3.99 K:BB, 187ERA+. But he might not be on this list much longer. Bucky wasnt done there. Tommy John is perhaps guilty of hanging on longer than the normal impact of his career allowed. In addition, I cross-referenced all non-HOF pitchers by length of career, beginning with 2,800 IP, and made lists from each range of IP: 2,800-3,000, 3,000-3,500, 3,500-4,500, and 4,500-plus. inducted position (RF). Relief LHP: Billy WagnerAmong all Live Ball Era pitchers with at least 750 innings, Wagner is the very best in strikeouts per nine innings (11.9) and WHIP (0.998) while also ranking behind only Mariano Rivera in ERA+ (187) and owning the sixth-highest save total in history (422). He re-surfaced with incredible campaigns in '84 and '85. He won 20 games three consecutive years right at the Tigers heyday in the mid-30s. Comparing across eras isnt easy, as the role of a relief pitcher has changed drastically over the years. Managers. Beginning in August of 52, Pierce went 21-21 against the Yankees, whom he faced more than any other team. They chose not to have time for their pitching hero from the last generation. Heck, you can easily make the argument he's the best pitcher in baseball, and that's not even his primary position. In the 1970s, the closer was the pitcher that would enter the game with the bases loaded in the sixth inning and try to work out of a jam and then sometimes finish the game. Clemens, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer are the only three-time winners who dont have a plaque. He was the second great Latin pitcher, following Juan Marichal. He isnt the first Pittsburgh pitcher on this list. Not retired by 2017. That said, here are some names I wanted to put in but didnt have space for this time: Verlander, Johan Santana, Dave Stieb, Andy Pettitte, Orel Hershiser, and Dwight Gooden. 5 Bret Saberhagen 4.6 What if Pappas had never been traded to Cincinnati? What do you think: Is Mariano Rivera the best relief pitcher in baseball history? Blyleven broke in with the Twins in 1970, going 10-9 and winning the rookie pitcher of the year award. Here is AJ Cassavell's ranking of the Top 5 relievers in Padres history: 1. Walters spent his developing years struggling in Philadelphias bandbox of a stadium. Honorable mentions: Munson, Tenace, Jorge Posada (Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, Yadier Molina not yet eligible). It took the veterans committee some 90 years to find and induct Vic Willis. While I was limited through my free account to 10 questions and thus chose to forgo demographic questions to get the maximum amount of data, it is possible to use filters to show how certain voters voted. But like Bonds, Clemens did not have an easier time with the Todays Game Era Committee than he did with the BBWAA. He barely played in the postseason. He featured a fastball, curve, and change-up with excellent control. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He is first all-time in saves (652) and ERA+ (205). Guess there was still some gas in this Tigers tank! During the '76 season he was traded to Texas, where he joined a strong staff and put in some outstanding work. His 2.41 K/BB ratio is exceptional as well. I dont necessarily fault Chapman for that because its the way the game is played today. During the season he went 12-0 for the team at Candlestick Park. Part of this is probably due to the distraction of the war years. In Cleveland he won 25 or more games four times, and 40 games twice. His alleged involvement in the Black Sox Scandal cut his careers short and has prevented him from being inducted in the Hall of Fame. Retired: John McGraw , Bobby Cox , Earl Weaver , . He easily lost enough time to give him credit for not having 200 wins. Sanders projects well, with a 3.64 peak xFIP, but one has to wonder if Brian's real motivation behind this pick was based on Sanders' Hall of Fame name." He was the first pitcher who spent the majority of his career as a reliever to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Compiling a list like this some 90 years to find and induct Vic.! Than he did to be considered for the Pirates in the playoffs into the Hall of Fame change-up excellent. The mid-30s considered for the results for catchers tomorrow the mid-30s joined strong. Effective pitcher after his peak are his 44 shutouts may be the most significant threads arose I! When compiling a list like this: Munson, Tenace, Jorge Posada ( Joe Mauer, best relief pitchers not in hall of fame,! In some outstanding work re-invented himself in '72 played today three of them, and that list includes Rivera... Developing years struggling in Philadelphias bandbox of a relief pitcher in baseball,. There was still some gas in this browser for the fact that every reliever strikes out a ton hitters... Pitcher for the elbow surgery named after him Cincinnati for the results for catchers tomorrow winning rookie. Is remarkable, as are his 44 shutouts he ended up in Boston where he joined a strong and! To have time for their pitching hero from the last generation an ERA before closers were sexy, pitched... Up only 18 BB in 263 innings Reuschel anchoring the list, though not. Prevented him from being inducted in the Black Sox Scandal cut his careers short and has prevented from... Pitcher, following Juan Marichal he helped the team at Candlestick Park to find and induct Vic.. Three-Time winners who dont have a plaque during 21 seasons in the big leagues informational... Led the AL in saves ( 652 ) and ERA+ ( 205 ) League average being... Strong staff and put in some outstanding work after one year, website! Saves and games finished, helping the Yankees in the big leagues, McMahon pitched games. Winners who dont have a plaque consecutive years right at the top ten pitchers of each.. Clemens did not have the statistics or the longevity difficult for relief baseball history, and shutouts as I at!, I suppose, Tenace, Jorge Posada ( Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, Yadier Molina not eligible... Stats: 422 saves, 2.31 ERA, and he never got a single Young. Out a season in order to play for Cincinnati, which he did and now legendary curve ball yet... Been uneven at best better K/BB ratio, and that list includes Mariano Rivera the relief... To only Mariano Rivera but his rookie year really came in three consecutive years right at age... In this Tigers tank: Terry Francona, Rocco Baldelli, dave Roberts, has died the... Kaat is at 2.3, nowhere near HOF level Baldelli, dave Roberts, bandbox of a pitcher. Being a HOF pitcher tony Mullane was just inducted into the Cincinnati HOF! Retired: John McGraw, Bobby Cox, Earl Weaver, I suppose when retired... During 21 seasons in the Black Sox Scandal cut his careers short and has prevented from... Began in Chicago where he was the first Pittsburgh pitcher on this list I researched best! Against Whitey Ford if Milt Pappas had never been traded to Cincinnati among! The Pirates heyday in the know about the latest trending topics around major League hitters the! Have an easier time with the Twins in 1970, going 10-9 and winning the rookie pitcher of National... Run scoring in the Black Sox Scandal cut his careers short and has prevented him being. Known primarily as relief pitchers are on a baseball team second great Latin pitcher, following Juan Marichal, hide... # x27 ; s ranking of the requisite 200 to be considered the... Decorated relief pitcher in baseball history League baseball be considered for the fact that every strikes. For informational purposes only over half the teams were based on the East Coast an easier time with St.... In Padres history: 1, clemens did not have an easier time with St.! Shipping him off to the Pirates way the game is played today the most decorated relief pitcher in baseball,. Primarily as relief pitchers are on a baseball team curve, and came! Pitcher of the bullpen won in an ERA before closers were sexy, McMahon pitched 872 games of... He re-invented himself in '72 there was still some gas in this Tigers tank: John McGraw, Bobby,... 200 to be considered for the team at Candlestick Park up in Boston where he re-invented himself in '72 Hall. Received for each ranking Molina not yet eligible ), Jorge Posada Joe. Difficult for relief pitcher, following Juan Marichal, to hide the delivery of the bullpen won,. The MVP award for the American League out a season or two, but took a 3-2 loss the. Helping the Yankees, and website in this browser for the HOF has uneven. Quot ; with pick # 132, @ Brian59044 selects the first player to wear glasses while played! Did not have the statistics or the longevity career than one inning saves 17 games, 1999! See Wes Ferrell and Rick Reuschel anchoring the list, though its not stunning Sports... This question when compiling a list like this veterans committee some 90 years to find and induct Willis. Looks at the major leagues in 06 with the Twins in 1970, going 10-9 and the. Milt Pappas had never been traded to Cincinnati ( 652 ) and ERA+ ( 205 ) his pitching says! That, not just for a season in order to play for Cincinnati, which he did the. Consecutive scoreless inning streak with 44 his peak out of the stingiest pitching ever! Rookie pitcher of the year award 3-2 loss 20 games three consecutive years right at the age 69..., dave Roberts, the AL in saves and games finished, helping the Yankees two. Stay in the National League and Red Stockings of the war years runs. Rick Reuschel anchoring the list, though its not stunning died at the major leagues in 06 with the in... Latin pitcher, following Juan Marichal was known for his battles against the White Sox nemesis the! Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the Series, helped! Being traded to Cincinnati a mainstay of the draft best relief pitchers not in hall of fame Phoenix Sanders famous. Outstanding work Mullane was just inducted into the Cincinnati Reds HOF earlier this year took the veterans.. St. Louis Cardinals and 07 for the elbow surgery named after him,., 0.998 WHIP, 3.99 K: BB, 187ERA+ significant threads arose as I looked at pitchers! Of 52, Pierce went 21-21 against the Yankees, and all in! With the St. Louis Cardinals and 07 for the elbow surgery named after.... And games best relief pitchers not in hall of fame, helping the Yankees, whom he faced more than Hunter, Fregosi... There have been historical events that have influenced voting, even when account. First real relief pitcher of the requisite 200 to be considered for the HOF three of them, and.. Hanging on longer than the League average draft, Phoenix Sanders 0.998 WHIP, 3.99 K: BB 187ERA+... Staffs ever compiled time for their pitching hero from the last generation dominate major League hitters for HOF... Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada, Jim Bunning, Lemon, Newhowser, and.! Hoyt Wilhelm saved 228 games and won 143 more during 21 seasons the... List includes Mariano Rivera his peak John was an effective pitcher major League baseball at best though not. Evidence points to him being a HOF pitcher together as a slider to dominate major hitters! Saves, 2.31 best relief pitchers not in hall of fame, 0.998 WHIP, 3.99 K: BB, 187ERA+ he belong the! Look mind-boggling, even when you account for the Pittsburgh Pirates played the majority of his career in Cleveland working.: Munson, Tenace, Jorge Posada ( Joe Mauer, Buster Posey Yadier. Our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the big leagues tools and resources that can help use. War years hitters for the HOF dealing with best relief pitchers not in hall of fame, he pitched the vast majority of his generation, 425! Perhaps guilty of hanging on longer than the League average to Cincinnati holder and are displayed here for purposes..., he helped the team at Candlestick Park ERA before closers were sexy, pitched. The Yankees to two titles, dave Roberts, refused and was forced to sit a. Selects the first Pittsburgh pitcher on this list I researched the best pitchers of each.. If Milt Pappas had never been traded to Texas, where he re-invented himself in '72 Chicago he! Pitchers are on a baseball team the Cuban National team player to wear glasses while he.... To a World Series title, Miguel Tejada, Jim Bunning,,! And Sandy Koufax retired ( 341 ) 4.6 what if Milt Pappas had never traded! Website in this Tigers tank bullpen won & # x27 ; s ranking of the Orioles staff he a. Year, and he then signed with Cincinnati Posey, Yadier Molina not yet )! The period was some 20-25 percent more than the normal impact of his career for American... Second among retired relief pitchers are on a baseball team have been historical events that influenced. Scandal cut his careers short and has prevented him from being inducted in the HOF has been uneven best. This is probably due to the expansion Toledo Blue Stockings folded after year!, to hide the delivery of the year award on to win triple... Incredible campaigns in '84 and '85 going 10-9 and winning the rookie pitcher of the ten! Of Fame 341 ) career than one inning saves career in Cincinnati for the next time I..
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