Holds Records

The most holds by a team, the most holds by a pitcher in a career & in a season, the fewest in a season, and other similar hold records are presented below and research is complete through completion of the previous season. Note: The hold stat is NOT retroactive so seasons prior to 1999 are not included in the record book.

Baseball Almanac is pleased to present the FIRST EVER record book for the Hold stat — a pitching stat created in 1999 that is awarded to the pitcher(s) who is / are able to appear in relief and hold the victory for the closer (who might or might not get the save).

"Since I was a little kid, I have always felt very lucky to be able to play the game of baseball. It's been a gift. I've been able to play for the White Sox, Tigers and Marlins. And in 1996, I joined the Oakland A's. Playing baseball has always made me happy." - Buddy Groom
Holds

Career Holds Records

Record Lg Name(s) Team(s) Data

Most
In A Career

AL

Scot Shields

Los Angeles

155

155

NL

Mike Remlinger

Atlanta 105

140

Chicago 35
ML Arthur Rhodes Baltimore [AL] 5 215
Seattle [AL] 111
Oakland [AL] 3
Cleveland [AL] 16
Philadelphia [NL] 23

Florida [NL]

11

Cincinnati [NL]

51

Holds

Single Season Holds Records

Record Lg Name(s) Team(s) Data

Fewest
By The League Leader

AL

Buddy Groom

Oakland

27

1999
NL

John Johnstone

San Francisco

28

1999

Most
In A Season

AL

Tom Gordon

New York

36

2004
NL

Luke Gregerson

San Diego

40

2010

Most
By A Lefthander

AL

J.C. Romero

Minnesota

33

2002
NL

Jeremy Affeldt

San Francisco

33

2009

Most
By A Righthander

AL Tom Gordon

New York

36

2004
NL

Luke Gregerson

San Diego

40

2010

Most
By A Rookie
First Season EVER

AL

Daniel Bard

Boston

32

2010
NL

Akinori Otsuka

San Diego

34

2004
Holds

Team / Franchise Records

Record Lg Team(s) Data

Fewest
by any Franchise

AL Kansas City Royals 633 1999 - 2010
NL Arizona Diamondbacks 695 1999 - 2010

Most
by any Franchise

AL

Texas Rangers

834

1999 - 2010
NL

St. Louis Cardinals

906

1999 - 2010
Holds

Team Single Season Holds Records

Record Lg Team(s) Data

Fewest
In Any Season

AL

2000 Kansas City Royals

20 2000
NL

2002 Chicago Cubs

31 2002

Most
In Any Season

AL

2001 Seattle Mariners

91 2001
NL 2010 San Diego Padres 111 2010
Record Lg Team(s) Data

Hold Record Book by Baseball Almanac, Inc.



Did you know that the first player to lead his respective league in the Hold stat (1999) was: John Johnstone who had twenty-eight holds with the National League Giants & Buddy Groom who had twenty-seven holds with the American League Athletics?

Felix Rodriguez led the National League in holds in 2000 (thirty with the San Francisco Giants) and again in 2001 (thirty-two with the San Francisco Giants) making him the first pitcher from either league to ever lead a league in holds more than once during a career.

How do you feel about the newly created hold stat? Will it survive the test of time? Baseball Almanac invites you to share your opinion(s) about the hold stat on Baseball Fever.

     

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