Hold Records by Baseball Almanac

Hold 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

Hold Career Records
Record	Lg	Name(s)	Team(s)	Data
Most (In A Career)	AL	Buddy Groom	Oakland	27	104
	AL	Buddy Groom	Baltimore	77	104
	NL	Mike Remlinger	Atlanta	103	120
	NL	Mike Remlinger	Chicago	17	120
Hold Single Season Records
Record	Lg	Name(s)	Team(s)	Data
Fewest (In A Season) (By The League Leader)	AL	Buddy Groom	Oakland	27	1999
Fewest (In A Season) (By The League Leader)	NL	John Johnstone	San Francisco	28	1999
Most (In A Season)	AL	J.C. Romero	Minnesota	33	2002
Most (In A Season)	NL	Octavio Dotel	Houston	33	2003
Most (In A Season) (By A Lefthander)	AL	J.C. Romero	Minnesota	33	2002
	NL	Mike Remlinger	Atlanta	30	2001
	NL	Mike Remlinger	Atlanta	30	2002
Most (In A Season) (By A Righthander)	AL	Jason Grimsley	Kansas City	28	2003
		LaTroy Hawkins	Minnesota	28	2003
		Paul Shuey	Cleveland	28	2000
	NL	Octavio Dotel	Houston	33	2003
Most (In A Season) (By A Rookie) (First Season EVER)	AL	Kelly Wunsch	Chicago	24	2000
	AL	Jeff Zimmerman	Texas	24	1999
	NL	Luis Ayala	Montreal	19	2003
	NL	Kevin Walker	San Diego	19	2000
Hold Team / Franchise Records
Record	Lg	Team(s)		Data
Most (In History) (by a Franchise)	AL	Oakland Athletics		354	1999-2003
Most (In History) (by a Franchise)	NL	St. Louis Cardinals		360	1999-2003
Hold Team Single Season Records
Record	Lg	Team(s)	Data
Fewest (In A Season)	AL	Kansas City	20	2000
Fewest (In A Season)	NL	Chicago	31	2002
Most (In A Season)	AL	Oakland	98	2002
	NL	Chicago	97	2001
	NL	Pittsburgh	97	2002
Hold Record Book by Baseball Almanac

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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