MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history
Career Statistics:
- Games: 1,071
- Saves: 390
- Won-Loss Record: 197-171
- ERA: 3.50
- ERA+: 116
- FIP: 3.40
- WHIP: 1.161
- Innings: 3,285.2
- Strikeouts: 2,401
- Strikeout Percentage: 17.7%
- All-Star Appearances: 6
- World Series Championships: 1
- Awards: 2; 1992 American League MVP, AL Cy Young Award
- Hall of Fame: 2004
Dennis Eckersley is often credited as being the first modern closer, as in the first strictly ninth-inning pitcher who entered the game almost always with his team leading in a save situation. Interestingly enough, Eck first took on that role in 1988 – his 13th Major League season – at the age of 33. Prior to that, the sidearmer had primarily been a starter for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.
When he was traded to the Oakland A’s in 1987, Eckersley had made just 16 of his 360 career appearances out of the bullpen and he had collected just three career saves. But, with manager Tony LaRussa looking to get the most out of his pitching staff, Eck saved 16 games in his first season in Oakland before becoming a dominant ninth-inning machine in ’88.
That year Eckersley led the American League with 45 saves, finished second in the Cy Young voting and was fifth in the MVP race. He also saved all four games of the ALCS, helping the A’s to reach the World Series. The club would lose to the Dodgers (thanks in part to Kirk Gibson), but won it all in 1989. In 1990, Eckersley posted a mind-boggling 0.61 ERA in 73.1 innings and posted 47 saves. He actually had more saves than baserunners that season (only 45 men reached base all year).
In 1992, at the age of 37, Eckersley put together perhaps the most amazing season ever by a reliever. In 80 innings across 69 games (an AL leading 65 of which he finished), Eckersley posted a 7-1 record, 1.91 ERA with 93 strikeouts and a big league best 51 saves. He won both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards, becoming just the third relief pitcher ever to win the MVP. Only one reliever has since captured a Cy Young: Eric Gagne in 2003.
Next: 3. Rollie Fingers