Greg Holland, Craig Kimbrel Win Best Reliever Awards

Greg Holland of the Kansas City Royals and Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves were named the recipients of the Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman awards on Wednesday, the top recognition for MLB relief pitchers.

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The awards for the top relief pitchers of the season are no longer named after antacids. The award for the top reliever in the American League is now called the “Mariano Rivera” award. In the National League, the award is now called the “Trevor Hoffman” award. Both names are fitting, and both now have their first recipients.

On Wednesday, Greg Holland was given the Mariano Rivera award as the top reliever in the American League. Craig Kimbrl was given the Trevor Hoffman award as the top relief pitcher in the National League.

If I was the one in charge, I would have made Kimbrel wear his full uniform too, but that’s just me.

Holland was the closer for the Royals and their ridiculously good bullpen, a group that has now received national recognition in the playoffs. In 65 appearances this season, Holland posted a 1.44 ERA and recorded 46 saves. He struck out 90 hitters in 62.1 innings of work.

Kimbrel has been historically good so far in his young career. That continued in 2014, as Kimbrel logged a 1.61 ERA, recorded 47 saves, and struck out 95 hitters in 61.2 innings of work.

Both closers are more than deserving, and they will likely be leading candidates for the same award next season.

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