MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history
Career Statistics:
- Games: 1,035
- Saves: 601
- Won-Loss Record: 61-75
- ERA: 2.87
- ERA+: 141
- FIP: 3.08
- WHIP: 1.058
- Innings: 1,089.1
- Strikeouts: 1,133
- Strikeout Percentage: 25.8%
- All-Star Appearances: 7
- World Series Championships: 0
- Awards: None
Trevor Hoffman became one of the greatest closers in Major League Baseball history, but he took a very untraditional route to stardom and what will eventually be a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Most people forget that Hoffman was first drafted by the Cincinnati Reds as a shortstop, was then drafted in the 1992 expansion draft by the Florida Marlins and made his Major League debut for Florida in 1993 before being traded to San Diego in the middle of his rookie season.
Hoffman thrived in 15 years in San Diego and saved 552 games for the Padres. He was twice a runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award (1998 and 2006) and helped the team reach the World Series in 1998.
Also unlike most of the pitchers on this list, Hoffman never made a big league start and worked all 1,035 career games out of the bullpen. Plus, his best pitch was a legendary change-up.
So basically, Trevor Hoffman wasn’t your typical closer. Far from it, in fact, as he finished his career as the all-time saves leader with 601. Of course, that record was broken a few years later by the best closer ever to play the game: Mariano Rivera.
Next: 1. Mariano Rivera