Saves : 1997 American League Top 25

Finding the American or National League leader in virtually every hitting & pitching statistic is easy-to-do. Finding the top 25 players during any given season is far more challenging. Baseball Almanac has taken away that difficult problem and is pleased to present the data you requested:

"The key for this year was staying healthy, playing 154 games (his biggest goal was to play 162 games). When I'm healthy, I'm can put up the best numbers I can." - Juan Gonzalez (1999)
 

1997 Saves Leaders

Top 25 in the American League

Randy Myers 45 Baltimore Orioles 1
Mariano Rivera 43 New York Yankees 2
Doug Jones 36 Milwaukee Brewers 3
Todd Jones 31 Detroit Tigers 4
John Wetteland 31 Texas Rangers  
Roberto Hernandez 27 Chicago White Sox 6
Troy Percival 27 Anaheim Angels  
Heathcliff Slocumb 27 Boston Red Sox  
Seattle Mariners  
Rick Aguilera 26 Minnesota Twins 9
Billy Taylor 23 Oakland Athletics 10
Jose Mesa 16 Cleveland Indians 11
Mike Jackson 15 Cleveland Indians 12
Matt Karchner 15 Chicago White Sox  
Norm Charlton 14 Seattle Mariners 14
Kelvim Escobar 14 Toronto Blue Jays  
Jeff Montgomery 14 Kansas City Royals  
Tom Gordon 11 Boston Red Sox 17
Hipolito Pichardo 11 Kansas City Royals  
Mike Timlin 10 Toronto Blue Jays 19
Seattle Mariners  
Armando Benitez 9 Baltimore Orioles 20
Bobby Ayala 8 Seattle Mariners 21
Mike James 7 Anaheim Angels 22
Mike Fetters 6 Milwaukee Brewers 23
Butch Henry 6 Boston Red Sox  
Paul Quantrill 5 Toronto Blue Jays 25



Did you know that more than forty players have worn the number twenty-five for the Boston Red Sox — including Jack Clark, Denny Galehouse, Dizzy Trout and Tony Conigliaro.

Future Hall of Famer Sammy Sosa is best known for wearing number twenty-one; however, when the young slugger played for the Chicago White Sox (1989-1991) he only wore number twenty-five.

The most recognizable Detroit Tiger to wear the number twenty-five was probably Norm Cash (who wore it from 1960 through 1974), but did you know that Hall of Famer Larry Doby also wore it during his single season with Detroit?