MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history
Career Statistics:
- Games: 944
- Saves: 341
- Won-Loss Record: 114-118
- ERA: 2.90
- ERA+: 120
- FIP: 2.96
- WHIP: 1.156
- Innings: 1,701
- Strikeouts: 1299
- Strikeout Percentage: 18.7%
- All-Star Appearances: 7
- World Series Championships: 3
- Awards: 1974 World Series MVP, 1981 AL Cy Young Award, 1981 AL MVP
- Hall of Fame: 1992
Easily the most recognizable man on our list, Rollie Fingers is obviously one of the best to ever come out of the bullpen. Long before the days of the one-inning reliever, Fingers worked more than 100 innings in each of his first ten big league seasons despite making just 35 starts over that span (and none after 1973).
A three-time World Series Champion with the Oakland Athletics, Fingers led the Majors in saves three times: twice with the San Diego Padres in 1977 and 1978, and once with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1981. He was also recognized as the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year winner on four occasions: 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1981.
In 1981, Fingers became the first relief pitcher to win the American League Cy Young Award and the MVP. That season, he posted a 1.04 ERA across 78 innings in 41 games and led the the big leagues with 28 saves. Only two other relievers have won a league MVP Award in the history of Major League Baseball.
Fingers had his No. 34 retired by both the A’s and the Brewers.
Next: 2. Trevor Hoffman