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MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 26, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera tips his cap to the crowd in the 9th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera tips his cap to the crowd in the 9th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) reacts after earning a save against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Brewers won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) reacts after earning a save against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Brewers won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Career Statistics:

  • Games: 844*
  • Saves: 378*
  • Won-Loss Record: 46*-43*
  • ERA: 2.69*
  • ERA+: 157*
  • FIP: 3.15*
  • WHIP: 1.144*
  • Innings: 879*
  • Strikeouts: 1,056*
  • Strikeout Percentage: 29.3%*
  • All-Star Appearances: 6*
  • World Series Championships: 1*
  • Awards: None*

*Through August 26, 2015

Francisco Rodriguez is arguably the greatest active closer in baseball today. With his 30th save this season, Rodriguez passed the injured Joe Nathan for sole possession of seventh on the all-time list. And, since he’s just 33 years old, K-Rod could climb even higher before his playing days are over.

Rodriguez’s professional career began with the Anaheim Angels, who singed him as an International Free Agent as a 16-year old in 1998. Just four years later, Rodriguez made his Major League debut and even pitched in the World Series at the age of 20.

For the first three seasons of his career, Rodriguez served as the setup man for another of the game’s greatest all-time closers, Troy Percival. But after finishing fourth in the Cy Young Award voting in 2004 when he posted a 1.82 ERA and 12 saves in 84 innings, Rodriguez became the club’s full-time closer the following season. K-Rod led the American League with 45 saves in 2005 and paced all of baseball by saving 47 games in 2006.

In 2008, Rodriguez set a Major League record with 62 saves. When he reached free agency after the season, Rodriguez had amassed 208 saves at the age of 26 in only four full years as his team’s primary closer. While his production has slowed (he’s recorded only 169 saves in the seven years since), Rodriguez is still one of the best today, and in baseball history.

Next: 10. Jeff Reardon

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