Saves Single Season Leaders by Baseball Almanac

Single Season Leaders for Saves

The pressure is intense as you step onto the mound — knowing you only have to pitch an inning or two at most. However, you also know that the entire game is riding on your skill as a pitcher who should be able to "mow" down the opposing batters and save the game for a team victory.

Each of the following ice men have saved more games in a single season than any other pitcher in history and belong on Baseball Almanac's chart of the top one-hundred (100) single season save leaders! Note: A bold faced entry denotes that the player was active during the previous Major League season.

"I found a delivery in my flaw." - Dan Quisenberry (Tied for the #23 Ranked Single Season Saves Leader)

Games Saved Single Season Leaders 'Top 500'
Name	Games	Year	Team	League	Rank
Francisco Rodriguez	62	2008	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL	1
Bobby Thigpen	57	1990	Chicago White Sox	AL	2
Eric Gagne	55	2003	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	3
John Smoltz	55	2002	Atlanta Braves	NL
Trevor Hoffman	53	1998	San Diego Padres	NL	5
Randy Myers	53	1993	Chicago Cubs	NL
Mariano Rivera	53	2004	New York Yankees	AL
Eric Gagne	52	2002	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	8
Rod Beck	51	1998	Chicago Cubs	NL	9
Dennis Eckersley	51	1992	Oakland Athletics	AL
Jim Johnson	51	2012	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Mariano Rivera	50	2001	New York Yankees	AL	12
Francisco Cordero	49	2004	Texas Rangers	AL	13
Jose Valverde	49	2011	Detroit Tigers	AL
Rod Beck	48	1993	San Francisco Giants	NL	15
Dennis Eckersley	48	1990	Oakland Athletics	AL
Brian Fuentes	48	2009	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL
Fernando Rodney	48	2012	Tampa Bay Rays	AL
Jeff Shaw	48	1998	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Jeff Shaw	48	1998	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Brian Wilson	48	2010	San Francisco Giants	NL
Heath Bell	47	2010	San Diego Padres	NL	21
Armando Benitez	47	2004	Florida Marlins	NL
Chad Cordero	47	2005	Washington Nationals	NL
Jason Isringhausen	47	2004	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Joe Nathan	47	2009	Minnesota Twins	AL
Francisco Rodriguez	47	2006	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL
Lee Smith	47	1991	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Jose Valverde	47	2007	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
John Axford	46	2011	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	29
Tom Gordon	46	1998	Boston Red Sox	AL
Bryan Harvey	46	1991	California Angels	AL
Trevor Hoffman	46	2006	San Diego Padres	NL
Craig Kimbrel	46	2011	Atlanta Braves	NL
Jose Mesa	46	1995	Cleveland Indians	AL
Dave Righetti	46	1986	New York Yankees	AL
Lee Smith	46	1993	New York Yankees	AL
Lee Smith	46	1993	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Mike Williams	46	2002	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Antonio Alfonseca	45	2000	Florida Marlins	NL	38
Joe Borowski	45	2007	Cleveland Indians	AL
Dennis Eckersley	45	1988	Oakland Athletics	AL
Eric Gagne	45	2004	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Eddie Guardado	45	2002	Minnesota Twins	AL
Bryan Harvey	45	1993	Florida Marlins	NL
Jose Mesa	45	2002	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jeff Montgomery	45	1993	Kansas City Royals	AL
Randy Myers	45	1997	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Robb Nen	45	2001	San Francisco Giants	NL
J.J. Putz	45	2011	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
Dan Quisenberry	45	1983	Kansas City Royals	AL
Mariano Rivera	45	1999	New York Yankees	AL
Francisco Rodriguez	45	2005	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL
Kazuhiro Sasaki	45	2001	Seattle Mariners	AL
John Smoltz	45	2003	Atlanta Braves	NL
Rafael Soriano	45	2010	Tampa Bay Rays	AL
Bruce Sutter	45	1984	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Duane Ward	45	1993	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Bob Wickman	45	2005	Cleveland Indians	AL
Jeff Brantley	44	1996	Cincinnati Reds	NL	58
Francisco Cordero	44	2007	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Mark Davis	44	1989	San Diego Padres	NL
Billy Koch	44	2002	Oakland Athletics	AL
Joe Nathan	44	2004	Minnesota Twins	AL
Dan Quisenberry	44	1984	Kansas City Royals	AL
Mariano Rivera	44	2011	New York Yankees	AL
Mariano Rivera	44	2009	New York Yankees	AL
John Smoltz	44	2004	Atlanta Braves	NL
Jose Valverde	44	2008	Houston Astros	NL
Billy Wagner	44	2003	Houston Astros	NL
Todd Worrell	44	1996	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Heath Bell	43	2011	San Diego Padres	NL	70
Armando Benitez	43	2001	New York Mets	NL
Dennis Eckersley	43	1991	Oakland Athletics	AL
Keith Foulke	43	2003	Oakland Athletics	AL
Roberto Hernandez	43	1999	Tampa Bay Devil Rays	AL
Trevor Hoffman	43	2000	San Diego Padres	NL
Trevor Hoffman	43	2001	San Diego Padres	NL
Trevor Hoffman	43	2005	San Diego Padres	NL
Doug Jones	43	1990	Cleveland Indians	AL
Jose Mesa	43	2004	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Joe Nathan	43	2005	Minnesota Twins	AL
Robb Nen	43	2002	San Francisco Giants	NL
Mariano Rivera	43	1997	New York Yankees	AL
Mariano Rivera	43	2005	New York Yankees	AL
Jeff Shaw	43	2001	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Lee Smith	43	1992	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Joakim Soria	43	2010	Kansas City Royals	AL
Drew Storen	43	2011	Washington Nationals	NL
John Wetteland	43	1993	Montreal Expos	NL
John Wetteland	43	1996	New York Yankees	AL
John Wetteland	43	1999	Texas Rangers	AL
Mitch Williams	43	1993	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Rick Aguilera	42	1991	Minnesota Twins	AL	92
Heath Bell	42	2009	San Diego Padres	NL
Matt Capps	42	2010	Minnesota Twins	AL
Matt Capps	42	2010	Washington Nationals	NL
Keith Foulke	42	2001	Chicago White Sox	AL
Trevor Hoffman	42	2007	San Diego Padres	NL
Trevor Hoffman	42	1996	San Diego Padres	NL
Todd Jones	42	2000	Detroit Tigers	AL
Craig Kimbrel	42	2012	Atlanta Braves	NL
Brad Lidge	42	2005	Houston Astros	NL
Derek Lowe	42	2000	Boston Red Sox	AL
Jose Mesa	42	2001	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jason Motte	42	2012	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Troy Percival	42	1998	Anaheim Angels	AL
Jeff Reardon	42	1988	Minnesota Twins	AL
Jeff Shaw	42	1997	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Joakim Soria	42	2008	Kansas City Royals	AL
Rafael Soriano	42	2012	New York Yankees	AL
John Wetteland	42	1998	Texas Rangers	AL
Rick Aguilera	41	1992	Minnesota Twins	AL	110
Danys Baez	41	2005	Tampa Bay Devil Rays	AL
Armando Benitez	41	2000	New York Mets	NL
Danny Graves	41	2004	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Eddie Guardado	41	2003	Minnesota Twins	AL
Trevor Hoffman	41	2004	San Diego Padres	NL
Bobby Jenks	41	2006	Chicago White Sox	AL
Jose Jimenez	41	2002	Colorado Rockies	NL
Brad Lidge	41	2008	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Robb Nen	41	2000	San Francisco Giants	NL
Jonathan Papelbon	41	2008	Boston Red Sox	AL
Jeff Reardon	41	1985	Montreal Expos	NL
Ugueth Urbina	41	1999	Montreal Expos	NL
Brian Wilson	41	2008	San Francisco Giants	NL
Steve Bedrosian	40	1987	Philadelphia Phillies	NL	124
Francisco Cordero	40	2010	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Neftali Feliz	40	2010	Texas Rangers	AL
Joel Hanrahan	40	2011	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Tom Henke	40	1993	Texas Rangers	AL
Trevor Hoffman	40	1999	San Diego Padres	NL
Mike Jackson	40	1998	Cleveland Indians	AL
Bobby Jenks	40	2007	Chicago White Sox	AL
Todd Jones	40	2005	Florida Marlins	NL
Robb Nen	40	1998	San Francisco Giants	NL
Troy Percival	40	2002	Anaheim Angels	AL
J.J. Putz	40	2007	Seattle Mariners	AL
Jeff Reardon	40	1991	Boston Red Sox	AL
Mariano Rivera	40	2003	New York Yankees	AL
Francisco Rodriguez	40	2007	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL
Ugueth Urbina	40	2002	Boston Red Sox	AL
Billy Wagner	40	2006	New York Mets	NL
Francisco Cordero	39	2009	Cincinnati Reds	NL	141
John Franco	39	1988	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Jason Isringhausen	39	2005	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Mike Jackson	39	1999	Cleveland Indians	AL
Dan Kolb	39	2004	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Jose Mesa	39	1996	Cleveland Indians	AL
Jeff Montgomery	39	1992	Kansas City Royals	AL
Joe Nathan	39	2008	Minnesota Twins	AL
Troy Percival	39	2001	Anaheim Angels	AL
Chris Perez	39	2012	Cleveland Indians	AL
Mariano Rivera	39	2008	New York Yankees	AL
Takashi Saito	39	2007	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Derrick Turnbow	39	2005	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Billy Wagner	39	1999	Houston Astros	NL
Billy Wagner	39	2001	Houston Astros	NL
Mark Wohlers	39	1996	Atlanta Braves	NL
David Aardsma	38	2009	Seattle Mariners	AL	157
Rick Aguilera	38	1998	Minnesota Twins	AL
Aroldis Chapman	38	2012	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Kelvim Escobar	38	2002	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
John Franco	38	1998	New York Mets	NL
Ryan Franklin	38	2009	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Roberto Hernandez	38	1996	Chicago White Sox	AL
Roberto Hernandez	38	1993	Chicago White Sox	AL
John Hiller	38	1973	Detroit Tigers	AL
Trevor Hoffman	38	2002	San Diego Padres	NL
Todd Jones	38	2007	Detroit Tigers	AL
Carlos Marmol	38	2010	Chicago Cubs	NL
Randy Myers	38	1992	San Diego Padres	NL
Randy Myers	38	1995	Chicago Cubs	NL
Jonathan Papelbon	38	2009	Boston Red Sox	AL
Jonathan Papelbon	38	2012	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
John Rocker	38	1999	Atlanta Braves	NL
Jeff Russell	38	1989	Texas Rangers	AL
B.J. Ryan	38	2006	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Billy Wagner	38	2005	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Brian Wilson	38	2009	San Francisco Giants	NL
Tim Worrell	38	2003	San Francisco Giants	NL
Rod Beck	37	1997	San Francisco Giants	NL	179
Clay Carroll	37	1972	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Chad Cordero	37	2007	Washington Nationals	NL
Francisco Cordero	37	2005	Texas Rangers	AL
Francisco Cordero	37	2011	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Rollie Fingers	37	1978	San Diego Padres	NL
Kevin Gregg	37	2010	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Trevor Hoffman	37	1997	San Diego Padres	NL
Trevor Hoffman	37	2009	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Doug Jones	37	1988	Cleveland Indians	AL
Todd Jones	37	2006	Detroit Tigers	AL
Brandon League	37	2011	Seattle Mariners	AL
Joe Nathan	37	2012	Texas Rangers	AL
Joe Nathan	37	2007	Minnesota Twins	AL
Robb Nen	37	1999	San Francisco Giants	NL
Gregg Olson	37	1990	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Jonathan Papelbon	37	2010	Boston Red Sox	AL
Jonathan Papelbon	37	2007	Boston Red Sox	AL
Dan Quisenberry	37	1985	Kansas City Royals	AL
Fernando Rodney	37	2009	Detroit Tigers	AL
Kazuhiro Sasaki	37	2000	Seattle Mariners	AL
Kazuhiro Sasaki	37	2002	Seattle Mariners	AL
Lee Smith	37	1995	California Angels	AL
Huston Street	37	2006	Oakland Athletics	AL
Bruce Sutter	37	1979	Chicago Cubs	NL
Billy Wagner	37	2010	Atlanta Braves	NL
John Wetteland	37	1992	Montreal Expos	NL
Bob Wickman	37	1999	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Joe Borowski	36	2006	Florida Marlins	NL	207
Jonathan Broxton	36	2009	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Bill Caudill	36	1984	Oakland Athletics	AL
Octavio Dotel	36	2004	Houston Astros	NL
Octavio Dotel	36	2004	Oakland Athletics	AL
Dennis Eckersley	36	1993	Oakland Athletics	AL
Dennis Eckersley	36	1997	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
John Franco	36	1997	New York Mets	NL
Eddie Guardado	36	2005	Seattle Mariners	AL
Joel Hanrahan	36	2012	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Tom Henke	36	1995	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Doug Jones	36	1992	Houston Astros	NL
Doug Jones	36	1997	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
Jorge Julio	36	2003	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Byung-Hyun Kim	36	2002	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
Billy Koch	36	2001	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Jeff Montgomery	36	1998	Kansas City Royals	AL
Joe Nathan	36	2006	Minnesota Twins	AL
Gregg Olson	36	1992	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Juan Oviedo	36	2011	Florida Marlins	NL
Troy Percival	36	1996	California Angels	AL
Chris Perez	36	2011	Cleveland Indians	AL
J.J. Putz	36	2006	Seattle Mariners	AL
Dave Righetti	36	1990	New York Yankees	AL
Mariano Rivera	36	1998	New York Yankees	AL
Mariano Rivera	36	2000	New York Yankees	AL
Mel Rojas	36	1996	Montreal Expos	NL
B.J. Ryan	36	2005	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Lee Smith	36	1987	Chicago Cubs	NL
Bruce Sutter	36	1982	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Mitch Williams	36	1989	Chicago Cubs	NL
Brian Wilson	36	2011	San Francisco Giants	NL
Todd Worrell	36	1986	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
John Axford	35	2012	Milwaukee Brewers	NL	239
Rod Beck	35	1996	San Francisco Giants	NL
Shawn Chacon	35	2004	Colorado Rockies	NL
Rollie Fingers	35	1977	San Diego Padres	NL
Wayne Granger	35	1970	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Sparky Lyle	35	1972	New York Yankees	AL
Robb Nen	35	1996	Florida Marlins	NL
Robb Nen	35	1997	Florida Marlins	NL
Jonathan Papelbon	35	2006	Boston Red Sox	AL
Dan Quisenberry	35	1982	Kansas City Royals	AL
Jeff Reardon	35	1986	Montreal Expos	NL
Francisco Rodriguez	35	2009	New York Mets	NL
Huston Street	35	2009	Colorado Rockies	NL
Jose Valverde	35	2012	Detroit Tigers	AL
Billy Wagner	35	2002	Houston Astros	NL
Todd Worrell	35	1997	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Don Aase	34	1986	Baltimore Orioles	AL	255
Rick Aguilera	34	1993	Minnesota Twins	AL
Rocky Biddle	34	2003	Montreal Expos	NL
Ricky Bottalico	34	1996	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Ricky Bottalico	34	1997	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Francisco Cordero	34	2008	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Keith Foulke	34	2000	Chicago White Sox	AL
Tom Gordon	34	2006	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jim Gott	34	1988	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Tom Henke	34	1987	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Tom Henke	34	1992	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Dustin Hermanson	34	2005	Chicago White Sox	AL
Jason Isringhausen	34	2001	Oakland Athletics	AL
Carlos Marmol	34	2011	Chicago Cubs	NL
Ron Perranoski	34	1970	Minnesota Twins	AL
Mariano Rivera	34	2006	New York Yankees	AL
Jeff Shaw	34	1999	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Bobby Thigpen	34	1989	Chicago White Sox	AL
Bobby Thigpen	34	1988	Chicago White Sox	AL
Ugueth Urbina	34	1998	Montreal Expos	NL
Billy Wagner	34	2007	New York Mets	NL
John Wetteland	34	2000	Texas Rangers	AL
Kerry Wood	34	2008	Chicago Cubs	NL
Rod Beck	33	1995	San Francisco Giants	NL	278
Armando Benitez	33	2002	New York Mets	NL
Joe Borowski	33	2003	Chicago Cubs	NL
Ryan Dempster	33	2005	Chicago Cubs	NL
Dennis Eckersley	33	1989	Oakland Athletics	AL
John Franco	33	1990	New York Mets	NL
Goose Gossage	33	1980	New York Yankees	AL
Jason Isringhausen	33	2000	Oakland Athletics	AL
Jason Isringhausen	33	2006	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Billy Koch	33	2000	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Jose Mesa	33	1999	Seattle Mariners	AL
Jeff Montgomery	33	1991	Kansas City Royals	AL
Troy Percival	33	2003	Anaheim Angels	AL
Troy Percival	33	2004	Anaheim Angels	AL
Dan Plesac	33	1989	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
Dan Quisenberry	33	1980	Kansas City Royals	AL
Chris Ray	33	2006	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Mariano Rivera	33	2010	New York Yankees	AL
Jeff Russell	33	1993	Boston Red Sox	AL
Mike Schooler	33	1989	Seattle Mariners	AL
Dave Smith	33	1986	Houston Astros	NL
Lee Smith	33	1984	Chicago Cubs	NL
Lee Smith	33	1985	Chicago Cubs	NL
Lee Smith	33	1994	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Bob Stanley	33	1983	Boston Red Sox	AL
Billy Taylor	33	1998	Oakland Athletics	AL
David Weathers	33	2007	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Bob Wickman	33	2006	Atlanta Braves	NL
Bob Wickman	33	2006	Cleveland Indians	AL
Mark Wohlers	33	1997	Atlanta Braves	NL
Todd Worrell	33	1987	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Rick Aguilera	32	1995	Boston Red Sox	AL	308
Rick Aguilera	32	1995	Minnesota Twins	AL	308
Rick Aguilera	32	1990	Minnesota Twins	AL
Jack Aker	32	1966	Kansas City Athletics	AL
Tyler Clippard	32	2012	Washington Nationals	NL
Neftali Feliz	32	2011	Texas Rangers	AL
Mike Fetters	32	1996	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
Keith Foulke	32	2004	Boston Red Sox	AL
John Franco	32	1987	Cincinnati Reds	NL
John Franco	32	1989	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Danny Graves	32	2002	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Danny Graves	32	2001	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Kevin Gregg	32	2007	Florida Marlins	NL
Tom Henke	32	1990	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Tom Henke	32	1991	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Roberto Hernandez	32	2000	Tampa Bay Devil Rays	AL
Roberto Hernandez	32	1995	Chicago White Sox	AL
Willie Hernandez	32	1984	Detroit Tigers	AL
Jason Isringhausen	32	2002	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Jason Isringhausen	32	2007	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Bob James	32	1985	Chicago White Sox	AL
Doug Jones	32	1989	Cleveland Indians	AL
Brad Lidge	32	2006	Houston Astros	NL
Ryan Madson	32	2011	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Matt Mantei	32	1999	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
Matt Mantei	32	1999	Florida Marlins	NL
Mike Marshall	32	1979	Minnesota Twins	AL
Akinori Otsuka	32	2006	Texas Rangers	AL
Troy Percival	32	2000	Anaheim Angels	AL
J.J. Putz	32	2012	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
B.J. Ryan	32	2008	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Heathcliff Slocumb	32	1995	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Ugueth Urbina	32	2003	Florida Marlins	NL
Ugueth Urbina	32	2003	Texas Rangers	AL
Jordan Walden	32	2011	Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	AL
Bob Wickman	32	2001	Cleveland Indians	AL
Todd Worrell	32	1995	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Todd Worrell	32	1988	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
David Aardsma	31	2010	Seattle Mariners	AL	343
Ted Abernathy	31	1965	Chicago Cubs	NL
Miguel Batista	31	2005	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Rafael Betancourt	31	2012	Colorado Rockies	NL
Bill Campbell	31	1977	Boston Red Sox	AL
Rob Dibble	31	1991	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Brian Fuentes	31	2005	Colorado Rockies	NL
Mike Henneman	31	1996	Texas Rangers	AL
Roberto Hernandez	31	1997	Chicago White Sox	AL
Roberto Hernandez	31	1997	San Francisco Giants	NL
Willie Hernandez	31	1985	Detroit Tigers	AL
Trevor Hoffman	31	1995	San Diego Padres	NL
Todd Jones	31	1997	Detroit Tigers	AL
Billy Koch	31	1999	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Brad Lidge	31	2009	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Mike Marshall	31	1973	Montreal Expos	NL
Jeff Montgomery	31	1995	Kansas City Royals	AL
Donnie Moore	31	1985	California Angels	AL
Randy Myers	31	1996	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Randy Myers	31	1990	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Gregg Olson	31	1991	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Jesse Orosco	31	1984	New York Mets	NL
Jonathan Papelbon	31	2011	Boston Red Sox	AL
Troy Percival	31	1999	Anaheim Angels	AL
Ron Perranoski	31	1969	Minnesota Twins	AL
Jeff Reardon	31	1989	Minnesota Twins	AL
Jeff Reardon	31	1987	Minnesota Twins	AL
Dave Righetti	31	1987	New York Yankees	AL
Dave Righetti	31	1984	New York Yankees	AL
Ken Sanders	31	1971	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
George Sherrill	31	2008	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Heathcliff Slocumb	31	1996	Boston Red Sox	AL
Lee Smith	31	1986	Chicago Cubs	NL
Lee Smith	31	1990	Boston Red Sox	AL
Lee Smith	31	1990	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Bruce Sutter	31	1977	Chicago Cubs	NL
Kent Tekulve	31	1978	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Kent Tekulve	31	1979	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Mike Timlin	31	1996	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Dave Veres	31	1999	Colorado Rockies	NL
John Wetteland	31	1995	New York Yankees	AL
John Wetteland	31	1997	Texas Rangers	AL
Jeremy Accardo	30	2007	Toronto Blue Jays	AL	383
Danys Baez	30	2004	Tampa Bay Devil Rays	AL
Ron Davis	30	1983	Minnesota Twins	AL
Dennis Eckersley	30	1996	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Ed Farmer	30	1980	Chicago White Sox	AL
Steve Farr	30	1992	New York Yankees	AL
John Franco	30	1994	New York Mets	NL
John Franco	30	1991	New York Mets	NL
Brian Fuentes	30	2006	Colorado Rockies	NL
Brian Fuentes	30	2008	Colorado Rockies	NL
Gene Garber	30	1982	Atlanta Braves	NL
Dave Giusti	30	1971	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Goose Gossage	30	1982	New York Yankees	AL
Danny Graves	30	2000	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Trevor Hoffman	30	2008	San Diego Padres	NL
Todd Jones	30	1999	Detroit Tigers	AL
Kerry Ligtenberg	30	1998	Atlanta Braves	NL
Greg Minton	30	1982	San Francisco Giants	NL
Gregg Olson	30	1998	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
Juan Oviedo	30	2010	Florida Marlins	NL
Dan Plesac	30	1988	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
Jeff Reardon	30	1992	Atlanta Braves	NL
Jeff Reardon	30	1992	Boston Red Sox	AL
Mariano Rivera	30	2007	New York Yankees	AL
Mel Rojas	30	1995	Montreal Expos	NL
Jeff Russell	30	1991	Texas Rangers	AL
Jeff Russell	30	1992	Oakland Athletics	AL
Jeff Russell	30	1992	Texas Rangers	AL
Sergio Santos	30	2011	Chicago White Sox	AL
Mike Schooler	30	1990	Seattle Mariners	AL
Joakim Soria	30	2009	Kansas City Royals	AL
Bobby Thigpen	30	1991	Chicago White Sox	AL
Billy Wagner	30	1998	Houston Astros	NL
Bob Wickman	30	2000	Cleveland Indians	AL
Bob Wickman	30	2000	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Mitch Williams	30	1991	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Rick Aguilera	29	2000	Chicago Cubs	NL	416
Luis Arroyo	29	1961	New York Yankees	AL
Steve Bedrosian	29	1986	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Chad Cordero	29	2006	Washington Nationals	NL
Ron Davis	29	1984	Minnesota Twins	AL
Dennis Eckersley	29	1995	Oakland Athletics	AL
Rollie Fingers	29	1982	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
Terry Forster	29	1972	Chicago White Sox	AL
John Franco	29	1995	New York Mets	NL
John Franco	29	1986	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Fred Gladding	29	1969	Houston Astros	NL
Kevin Gregg	29	2008	Florida Marlins	NL
Doug Henry	29	1992	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
Al Holland	29	1984	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jay Howell	29	1985	Oakland Athletics	AL
Bobby Jenks	29	2008	Chicago White Sox	AL
Bobby Jenks	29	2009	Chicago White Sox	AL
Jim Kern	29	1979	Texas Rangers	AL
Ron Kline	29	1965	Washington Senators	AL
Brad Lidge	29	2004	Houston Astros	NL
Rich Loiselle	29	1997	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Braden Looper	29	2004	New York Mets	NL
Matt Mantei	29	2003	Arizona Diamondbacks	NL
Lindy McDaniel	29	1970	New York Yankees	AL
Steve Olin	29	1992	Cleveland Indians	AL
Gregg Olson	29	1993	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Dick Radatz	29	1964	Boston Red Sox	AL
Addison Reed	29	2012	Chicago White Sox	AL
Dave Righetti	29	1985	New York Yankees	AL
Lee Smith	29	1983	Chicago Cubs	NL
Lee Smith	29	1988	Boston Red Sox	AL
Huston Street	29	2011	Colorado Rockies	NL
Dave Veres	29	2000	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Tom Wilhelmsen	29	2012	Seattle Mariners	AL
Mitch Williams	29	1992	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Ted Abernathy	28	1967	Cincinnati Reds	NL	451
Juan Acevedo	28	2002	Detroit Tigers	AL
Antonio Alfonseca	28	2001	Florida Marlins	NL
Doug Bair	28	1978	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Rod Beck	28	1994	San Francisco Giants	NL
Steve Bedrosian	28	1988	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Jeff Brantley	28	1995	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Tim Burke	28	1989	Montreal Expos	NL
Mark Davis	28	1988	San Diego Padres	NL
Ryan Dempster	28	2007	Chicago Cubs	NL
Roy Face	28	1962	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Rollie Fingers	28	1981	Milwaukee Brewers	AL
John Franco	28	1996	New York Mets	NL
LaTroy Hawkins	28	2001	Minnesota Twins	AL
Roberto Hernandez	28	2001	Kansas City Royals	AL
Jay Howell	28	1989	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Bob Howry	28	1999	Chicago White Sox	AL
Todd Jones	28	1998	Detroit Tigers	AL
Braden Looper	28	2003	Florida Marlins	NL
Braden Looper	28	2005	New York Mets	NL
Randy Myers	28	1998	San Diego Padres	NL
Randy Myers	28	1998	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Troy Percival	28	2008	Tampa Bay Rays	AL
Mariano Rivera	28	2002	New York Yankees	AL
Joakim Soria	28	2011	Kansas City Royals	AL
Bruce Sutter	28	1980	Chicago Cubs	NL
Salomon Torres	28	2008	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Mike Williams	28	2003	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Mike Williams	28	2003	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Jeff Zimmerman	28	2001	Texas Rangers	AL
Jonathan Broxton	27	2012	Cincinnati Reds	NL	479
Jonathan Broxton	27	2012	Kansas City Royals	AL	479
Matt Capps	27	2009	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Mike DeJean	27	2002	Milwaukee Brewers	NL
Ryan Franklin	27	2010	St. Louis Cardinals	NL
Tom Gordon	27	2001	Chicago Cubs	NL
Goose Gossage	27	1978	New York Yankees	AL
Wayne Granger	27	1969	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Danny Graves	27	1999	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Tom Henke	27	1986	Toronto Blue Jays	AL
Bobby Jenks	27	2010	Chicago White Sox	AL
Doug Jones	27	1994	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Ellis Kinder	27	1953	Boston Red Sox	AL
Darold Knowles	27	1970	Washington Senators	AL
Brad Lidge	27	2010	Philadelphia Phillies	NL
Sparky Lyle	27	1973	New York Yankees	AL
Mike MacDougal	27	2003	Kansas City Royals	AL
Tug McGraw	27	1972	New York Mets	NL
Jose Mesa	27	2005	Pittsburgh Pirates	NL
Stu Miller	27	1963	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Jeff Montgomery	27	1994	Kansas City Royals	AL
Gregg Olson	27	1989	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Joe Page	27	1949	New York Yankees	AL	500
Troy Percival	27	1997	Anaheim Angels	AL
Ted Power	27	1985	Cincinnati Reds	NL
Minnie Rojas	27	1967	California Angels	AL
Jeff Shaw	27	2000	Los Angeles Dodgers	NL
Heathcliff Slocumb	27	1997	Boston Red Sox	AL
Heathcliff Slocumb	27	1997	Seattle Mariners	AL
Dave Smith	27	1988	Houston Astros	NL
Dave Smith	27	1985	Houston Astros	NL
Rafael Soriano	27	2009	Atlanta Braves	NL
Mike Stanton	27	1993	Atlanta Braves	NL
Bruce Sutter	27	1978	Chicago Cubs	NL
Mike Timlin	27	1999	Baltimore Orioles	AL
Tom Timmermann	27	1970	Detroit Tigers	AL
Cecil Upshaw	27	1969	Atlanta Braves	NL
Ugueth Urbina	27	1997	Montreal Expos	NL
Billy Wagner	27	2008	New York Mets	NL
Hoyt Wilhelm	27	1964	Chicago White Sox	AL
Name	Games	Year	Team	League	Rank
Current Through 2013 Season

Did you know that Steve Bedrosian (#89 on the chart and during the 1987 season) and Dennis Eckersley (tied for #8 on the chart during the 1992 season) both won a Cy Young Award during their chart making saves season?

Lee Smith appears three (3) times in the top fifty (50). Does he hold the Major League record for all time saves? How far will the "modern closer" make his numbers fall each & every season? In 2003 fourteen (14) closers with thirty-seven (37) single season saves were bumped off the list due to the constantly evolving save plateau. In 2005 thirteen (13) closers with thirty-eight (38) single season saves were bumped from the single saeson leaders for saves.

Will the National Baseball Hall of Fame / Baseball Writers Association of America recognize the closers of today as they did with Bruce Sutter in 2005, or will new standards need to be set? Share your opinion on Baseball Fever.

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