MLB: Top 20 closers in Major League Baseball history
Career Statistics:
- Games: 618
- Saves: 330
- Won-Loss Record: 48-45
- ERA: 2.93
- ERA+: 148
- FIP: 3.20
- WHIP: 1.135
- Innings: 765
- Strikeouts: 804
- Strikeout Percentage: 25.6%
- All-Star Appearances: 3
- World Series Championships: 1
- Awards: 1996 World Series MVP
Often overshadowed in his era, John Wetteland certainly deserves his place among the greatest closers in MLB history. After spending his first two big league seasons shuttling between the bullpen and the starting rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wetteland was traded twice during the 1991 off-season and ended up with the Montreal Expos.
In 1992, Wetteland established himself as the team’s closer and posted a 2.92 ERA in 83.1 innings across 67 appearances and earned 37 saves. The right-hander was even better the following season and posted a career-best 1.37 ERA and 43 saves in 70 games.
Just before the 1995 season, Wetteland was traded to the New York Yankees. In 1996, he became an All-Star for the first time, led all of baseball with 43 saves and helped the Yankees win the World Series. Wetteland won the 1996 World Series MVP Award because he saved all four games against the Atlanta Braves, becoming the first pitcher in World Series history to accomplish such a feat.
After the season, Wetteland signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent and averaged 37.5 saves across four seasons.
Next: 12. Hoyt Wilhelm