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300 save club

A right-handed Hispanic baseball pitcher, wearing a grey uniform with the lettering "NEW YORK" across it, with his body facing the right as he prepares to throw a baseball.
Mariano Rivera has the most career saves in Major League Baseball history with 652.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 300 save club is the group of pitchers who have recorded 300 or more regular-season saves in their careers.[1][2][3][4] Most commonly a relief pitcher ("reliever" or "closer") earns a save by being the final pitcher of a game in which his team is winning by three or fewer runs and pitching at least one inning without losing the lead. The final pitcher of a game can earn a save by getting at least one batter out to end the game with the tying run on base, at bat, or on deck, or by pitching the last three innings without relinquishing the lead, regardless of score.[5] The statistic was created by Jerome Holtzman in 1959 to "measure the effectiveness of relief pitchers" and was adopted as an official statistic by MLB in 1969.[6][7] The save has been retroactively measured for past pitchers where applicable. Hoyt Wilhelm retired in 1972 and recorded just 31 saves from 1969 onwards, for example, but holds 228 total career saves.[8]

Mariano Rivera holds the MLB save record with 652. Only Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have exceeded 500 or 600 saves, and Hoffman was the first to achieve either. Only eight pitchers have recorded 400 or more saves: Rivera, Hoffman, Lee Smith, Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, Francisco Rodríguez, John Franco, and Billy Wagner.

Rollie Fingers was the first player to record 300 saves, reaching the mark on August 21, 1982. Aroldis Chapman is the most recent, achieving his 300th on August 26, 2021. The New York Mets are the only franchise to see three players reach the milestone while on their roster—John Franco, Billy Wagner, and Jason Isringhausen. In total, 31 players have recorded 300 or more saves in their career. Only eight relievers – Dennis Eckersley, Fingers, Goose Gossage, Hoffman, Rivera, Smith, Bruce Sutter, and Wilhelm – have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;[9] all but Wilhelm also have at least 300 saves.[10] Jansen, Kimbrel, and Chapman are the only active players with more than 300 saves.[11]

Key

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Player Name of the player
SV Total career saves
Date Date of the pitcher's 300th save
Team The pitcher's team for his 300th save
† Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
‡ Player is active[note 1]

List

[edit]
A man in a white baseball uniform and navy blue cap stands on a dirt mound throwing a pitch with his right hand. He is wearing a black belt, black shoes, and a black baseball glove, and his uniform reads "Padres" in navy blue script across the chest, outlined in tan. His cap has two interlocked letters: "S" and "D".
Trevor Hoffman was the first player to reach the 500 and 600 save milestones.
Aroldis Chapman, joining the club on August 26, 2021, is the most recent addition.
Player SV 300th save Years active Ref(s)
Date Team
Mariano Rivera† 652 May 28, 2004 New York Yankees 1995–2013 [12][13]
Trevor Hoffman† 601 August 15, 2001 San Diego Padres 1993–2010 [14]
Lee Smith† 478 August 25, 1991 St. Louis Cardinals 1980–1997 [15][16]
Kenley Jansen‡ 447 September 25, 2019 Los Angeles Dodgers 2010–present [17]
Craig Kimbrel‡ 440 May 5, 2018 Boston Red Sox 2010–present [18]
Francisco Rodríguez 437 June 22, 2013 Milwaukee Brewers 2002–2017 [19][20]
John Franco 424 April 29, 1996 New York Mets 1984–2005 [21]
Billy Wagner 422 July 4, 2006 New York Mets 1995–2010 [22]
Dennis Eckersley† 390 May 24, 1995 Oakland Athletics 1975–1998 [23]
Joe Nathan 377 April 8, 2013 Texas Rangers 1999–2000, 2002–2009, 2011–2016 [24][25]
Jonathan Papelbon 368 June 10, 2014 Philadelphia Phillies 2005–2016 [26]
Jeff Reardon 367 May 20, 1991 Boston Red Sox 1979–1994 [27][28]
Troy Percival 358 July 28, 2004 Anaheim Angels 1995–2005, 2007–2009 [29][30]
Randy Myers 347 July 1, 1997 Baltimore Orioles 1985–1998 [31][32]
Rollie Fingers† 341 August 21, 1982 Milwaukee Brewers 1968–1985 [33]
Aroldis Chapman‡ 335 August 26, 2021 New York Yankees 2010–present [34]
John Wetteland 330 May 12, 2000 Texas Rangers 1989–2000 [35]
Francisco Cordero 329 June 1, 2011 Cincinnati Reds 1999–2012 [2][36]
Fernando Rodney 327 September 22, 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks 2002–2003, 2005–2019 [37]
Roberto Hernández 326 May 25, 2002 Kansas City Royals 1991–2007 [38][39]
Huston Street 324 July 22, 2015 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 2005–2017 [40]
José Mesa 321 April 27, 2005 Pittsburgh Pirates 1987, 1990–2007 [41][42]
Todd Jones 319 September 16, 2007 Detroit Tigers 1993–2008 [43][44]
Rick Aguilera 318 June 2, 2000 Chicago Cubs 1985–2000 [45][46]
Robb Nen 314 August 6, 2002 San Francisco Giants 1993–2002 [3][47]
Tom Henke 311 August 18, 1995 St. Louis Cardinals 1982–1995 [48]
Goose Gossage† 310 August 6, 1988 Chicago Cubs 1972–1989, 1991–1994 [49]
Jeff Montgomery 304 August 25, 1999 Kansas City Royals 1987–1999 [50]
Doug Jones 303 September 11, 1999 Oakland Athletics 1982–2000 [51]
Jason Isringhausen 300 August 15, 2011 New York Mets 1995–2012 [52]
Bruce Sutter† 300 September 9, 1988 Atlanta Braves 1976–1986, 1988 [53]
A ticket from the game where Goose Gossage became the second player in MLB history to earn 300 career saves on August 6, 1988.

See also

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Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ A player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or not played for a full season.

References

[edit]
General
  • "All-Time Total Pitching Statistics". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  • "Career Leaders & Records for Saves". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
Specific
  1. ^ Waldstein, David (June 8, 2011). "For Mets, Collegiality Is Part of Closing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Torres, Adry (June 6, 2011). "Bartolo Colon Goes Old School, Carlos Zambrano Sounds Off, and Francisco Cordero Joins 300 Club – Fox News Latino". Latino.foxnews.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-21. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Harding, Thomas (October 11, 2002). "Giants lean on Nen to slam door | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  4. ^ Holtzman, Jerome (December 15, 1991). "It's Historic: 300-save Club Gets Together". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  5. ^ Office of the Commissioner of Baseball (2017). Official Baseball Rules (PDF) (2017 ed.). United States of America: MLB Advanced Media. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-9961140-4-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
  6. ^ Weber, Bruce (July 22, 2008). "Jerome Holtzman, 82, 'Dean' of Sportswriters, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  7. ^ Bloom, Barry (July 21, 2008). "Legendary historian Holtzman passes". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "Hoyt Wilhelm Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "Goose Gossage joins exclusive club of relievers in baseball's Hall of Fame". New York Daily News. Associated Press. July 27, 2008. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "Rules for Election". National Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 30, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  11. ^ "Active Leaders & Records for Saves". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Gagliano, Anthony (May 29, 2004). "Rivera earns 300th career save". MLB. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  13. ^ "Mariano Rivera Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  14. ^ "Trevor Hoffman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  15. ^ "Lee Smith Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  16. ^ "Lee Smith, Harold Baines elected to Hall of Fame by Today's Game Era Committee". Baseballhall.org. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  17. ^ "Kenley Jansen Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  18. ^ "Craig Kimbrel Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "Francisco Rodríguez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  20. ^ "Francisco Rodriguez closes out Brewers' win for 300th save". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2013-06-22. Archived from the original on 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  21. ^ "John Franco Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  22. ^ "Billy Wagner Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  23. ^ "Dennis Eckersley Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  24. ^ "Joe Nathan Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  25. ^ Lacques, Gabe (April 9, 2013). "Ump's blown call enables Joe Nathan to notch 300th save". USA Today Sports. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  26. ^ "Jonathan Papelbon Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  27. ^ "Jeff Reardon Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  28. ^ Montella, Paul (May 19, 2011). "This Date in Baseball – MLB – ESPN". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  29. ^ "Troy Percival Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  30. ^ "Percival gets 300th save against Texas | Amarillo.com | Amarillo Globe-News". Amarillo.com. The Associated Press. July 29, 2004. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  31. ^ "Randy Myers Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  32. ^ Schmuck, Peter (July 2, 1997). "Myers, O's hit mark, 4–1 Closer gets 300th save – Baltimore Sun". Articles.baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  33. ^ "Rollie Fingers Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  34. ^ "Aroldis Chapman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  35. ^ "John Wetteland Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  36. ^ "Francisco Cordero Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  37. ^ "Fernando Rodney Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  38. ^ "Roberto Hernandez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  39. ^ "Hernandez picks up 300th save in Royals' win". Highbeam Research. Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. May 25, 2002. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  40. ^ "Huston Street Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2009. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  41. ^ "José Mesa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  42. ^ "José Mesa named winner of the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Deliveryman of the Month Award" for April" (Press release). Major League Baseball. May 4, 2005. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  43. ^ "Todd Jones Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  44. ^ "AL Notes: Tigers' Jones notches 300th save | Baseball | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  45. ^ "Rick Aguilera Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  46. ^ "On This Date – Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. June 2, 2006. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  47. ^ "Robb Nen Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  48. ^ "Tom Henke Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  49. ^ "Goose Gossage Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  50. ^ "Jeff Montgomery Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  51. ^ "Doug Jones Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  52. ^ "Jason Isringhausen Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  53. ^ "Bruce Sutter Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2011.