MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history
Career Statistics:
- Games: 661
- Saves: 300
- Won-Loss Record: 68-71
- ERA: 2.83
- ERA+: 136
- FIP: 2.94
- WHIP: 1.140
- Innings: 1,042
- Strikeouts: 861
- Strikeout Percentage: 20.3%
- All-Star Appearances: 6
- World Series Championships: 1
- Awards: 1979 National League Cy Young Award
- Hall of Fame: 2006
The fourth relief pitcher to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bruce Sutter finished his career with 300 saves, which currently ranks 26th all-time. However, it must be noted that the closer role was much different during Sutter’s era, and Sutter ranked third on the career list when he retired.
Long before the typical Major League Baseball franchise adopted the familiar practice of having its closer pitch the ninth – and only – the ninth inning, Sutter threw more than 83 innings in each of his first ten years in the big leagues despite never pitching in more than 70 games. The right-hander led his league in saves in five separate seasons (with as many as 45 and as few as 25) and led all of baseball in the category on three occasions.
In 1979 while pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Sutter posted a 2.22 ERA with 110 strikeouts in 101.1 innings across 62 games. He saved 37 contests, which tied the National League’s single-season record, and won the NL Cy Young Award. In 1984 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Sutter set a new personal best and tied the Major League single-season saves record with 45. He finished third in the Cy Young voting that season and was sixth in MVP consideration.
Unfortunately, shoulder injuries limited Sutter’s effectiveness in three seasons across four years with the Atlanta Braves. He retired in 1988 at the age of 35.
Next: 7. Billy Wagner