HOLDS RECORDS

MLB Holds Records set MLB Pitchers | Baseball Almanac

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).

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"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 Records

Career Holds Records

Most Holds
In A Career
AL Matt Thornton Seattle 5 182
Chicago 146
Boston 19
New York 12
NL Tony Watson Pittsburgh 152 234
Los Angeles 8
San Francisco 74
ML Tony Watson Pittsburgh 152 246
Los Angeles [NL] 8
San Francisco 67
Los Angeles [AL] 12
San Francisco 7

Holds Records

Single Season Holds Records

Fewest Holds
League Leader | Full Season
AL Buddy Groom Oakland 27 1999
NL John Johnstone San Francisco 28 1999
Most Holds
In A Season
AL Joel Peralta Tampa Bay 41 2013
NL Tony Watson Pittsburgh 41 2015
Most Holds
In A Season | Lefthander
AL J.C. Romero Minnesota 33 2002
NL Tony Watson Pittsburgh 41 2015
Most Holds
In A Season | Righthander
AL Joel Peralta Tampa Bay 41 2013
NL Tyler Clippard Washington 40 2014
Luke Gregerson San Diego 2010
Most Holds
In A Season | Rookie
AL Daniel Bard Boston 32 2010
NL Akinori Otsuka San Diego 34 2004

Holds Records

Team Single Season Holds Records

Fewest Holds
In Any Season
AL 2000 Kansas City Royals 22 2000
NL 2002 Chicago Cubs 31 2002
Most Holds
In Any Season
AL 2011 New York Yankees 96 2011
NL 2010 San Diego Padres 111 2010
Hold Records | Research by Baseball Almanac
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Did you know that the first player to lead his respective league in holds (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 (relatively) newly created hold stat? Will it survive the test of time? Will it eventually lead to a specific pitcher type? Baseball Almanac invites you to share your opinion(s) about the hold stat on Baseball Fever.