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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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Jul 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) throws against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (58) throws against the Miami Marlins during the ninth inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Career Statistics:

  • Games: 637*
  • Saves: 345*
  • Won-Loss Record: 37-30*
  • ERA: 2.32*
  • ERA+: 186*
  • FIP: 2.70*
  • WHIP: 1.016*
  • Innings: 674*
  • Strikeouts: 764*
  • Strikeout Percentage: 28.1%*
  • All-Star Appearances: 6*
  • World Series Championships: 1*
  • Awards: None*

*Through August 26, 2015

Simply put, Jonathan Papelbon is the most consistent closer of the last decade. In 11 big league seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and most recently the Washington Nationals, the veteran right-hander has posted a 2.32 ERA with 345 saves in 637 games.

Papelbon has been even better in the postseason throughout his career. From 2005-09, Papelbon pitched in 18 total games across seven different playoff series and has posted a 1.00 ERA and 0.815 WHIP with 23 strikeouts in 27 innings. He has also recorded the final out of the season, having picked up a save in Game 4 of the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox against the Colorado Rockies.

In an era of specialization and volatility, Papelbon has yet to actually lead his league in saves but he’s averaged 32.5 saves per year across his first ten seasons, notching at least 29 in every campaign. That’s a span of consistency that few in the game can match.

At just 34 years old, Papelbon still has at least a few years left in his big league career. Given that he posted a 1.59 ERA in 39.2 innings in Philadelphia this season before being traded in July, it appears likely that he will continue to climb up this list of the best closers in Major League history.

Next: 13. John Wetteland

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