300 save club

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 300 save club is a term applied to 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") earns a save by entering in the ninth inning of a game in which his team is winning by three or fewer runs and finishing the game by pitching one inning without losing the lead.[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 227 total career saves.[8]

Mariano Rivera holds the MLB save record with 603. Only Rivera and Trevor Hoffman have exceeded 500 or 600 saves, and Hoffman is first to achieve either. Rivera, Hoffman, Lee Smith, John Franco, and Billy Wagner are the only pitchers to have recorded more than 400 saves. Rollie Fingers was the first player to record 300 saves, reaching the mark on April 21, 1982. Jason Isringhausen is the most recent, achieving his 300th on August 15, 2011. In total, 23 players have recorded 300 or more saves in their career. Only five relievers – Dennis Eckersley, Fingers, Goose Gossage, Bruce Sutter, and Wilhelm – have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.[9] All but Wilhelm are also members of the 300 saves club. Eligibility for the Hall of Fame requires that a player has been retired five seasons or deceased for at least six months.[10]

Contents

Key

Player Name of the player
SV (SV in 2011) Total career saves (number of saves they have earned during the 2011 season)
Date Date of the pitcher's 300th save
Team The pitcher's team for his 300th save
Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
 • Player is active

List

Statistics are up to date through the 2011 season.
Player SV
(SV in 2011)
Date Team Years active Ref(s)
Rivera, MarianoMariano Rivera • 603 (44) 02004-05-28May 28, 2004 New York Yankees 1995– [11][12]
Hoffman, TrevorTrevor Hoffman 601 02001-08-15August 15, 2001 San Diego Padres 1993–2010 [13]
Smith, LeeLee Smith 478 01991-08-25August 25, 1991 St. Louis Cardinals 1980–1997 [14]
Franco, JohnJohn Franco 424 01996-04-29April 29, 1996 New York Mets 1984–2005 [15]
Wagner, BillyBilly Wagner 422 02006-07-03July 3, 2006 New York Mets 1995–2010 [16]
Eckersley, DennisDennis Eckersley 390 01995-05-24May 24, 1995 Oakland Athletics 1975–1998 [17]
Reardon, JeffJeff Reardon 367 01991-05-20May 20, 1991 Boston Red Sox 1979–1994 [18][19]
Percival, TroyTroy Percival 358 02004-07-29July 29, 2004 Anaheim Angels 1995–2009 [20][21]
Myers, RandyRandy Myers 347 01997-07-01July 1, 1997 Baltimore Orioles 1985–1998 [22][23]
Fingers, RollieRollie Fingers 341 01982-04-21April 21, 1982 Milwaukee Brewers 1968–1985 [24]
Wetteland, JohnJohn Wetteland 330 02000-05-12May 12, 2000 Texas Rangers 1989–2000 [25]
Cordero, FranciscoFrancisco Cordero • 327 (37) 02011-06-01June 1, 2011 Cincinnati Reds 1999– [2][26]
Hernández, RobertoRoberto Hernández 326 02004-05-22May 22, 2004 Kansas City Royals 1991–2007 [27][28]
Mesa, JoséJosé Mesa 321 02005-04-26April 26, 2005 Pittsburgh Pirates 1987
1990–2007
[29][30]
Jones, ToddTodd Jones 319 02007-09-16September 16, 2007 Detroit Tigers 1993–2008 [31][32]
Aguilera, RickRick Aguilera 318 02000-06-02June 2, 2000 Chicago Cubs 1985–2000 [33][34]
Nen, RobbRobb Nen 314 02002-10-10October 10, 2002 San Francisco Giants 1993–2002 [3][35]
Henke, TomTom Henke 311 01995-08-18August 18, 1995 St. Louis Cardinals 1982–1995 [36]
Gossage, GooseGoose Gossage 310 01988-08-06August 6, 1988 Chicago Cubs 1972–1989
1991–1994
[37]
Montgomery, JeffJeff Montgomery 304 01999-08-25August 25, 1999 Kansas City Royals 1987–1999 [38]
Jones, DougDoug Jones 303 01999-09-11September 11, 1999 Oakland Athletics 1982–2000 [39]
Isringhausen, JasonJason Isringhausen • 300 (7) 02011-08-15August 15, 2011 New York Mets 1995– [40]
Sutter, BruceBruce Sutter 300 01988-09-09September 9, 1988 Atlanta Braves 1976–1986
1988
[41]

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. ^ Waldstein, David (June 8, 2011). "For Mets, Collegiality Is Part of Closing". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/09/sports/baseball/mets-isringhausen-rodriguez-300-saves.html?partner=rss&emc=rss. 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. http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2011/06/06/bartolo-colon-goes-old-school-carlos-zambrano-sounds-off-and-francisco-cordero/. 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. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20021011&content_id=155605&vkey=cs2002news&fext=.jsp&c_id=null. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  4. ^ Holtzman, Jerome (December 15, 1991). "It`s Historic: 300-save Club Gets Together". Chicago Tribune. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-12-15/sports/9104220993_1_300-save-club-bullpen-relief-specialists. Retrieved July 11, 2011. 
  5. ^ Horneman, Tim (March 23, 2010). "Baseball Save Rules". livestrong.com. http://www.livestrong.com/article/91288-baseball-save-rules/. Retrieved August 31, 2011. 
  6. ^ Weber, Bruce (July 22, 2008). "Jerome Holtzman, 82, 'Dean' of Sportswriters, Dies". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/sports/baseball/22holtzman.html. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  7. ^ Bloom, Barry (July 21, 2008). "Legendary historian Holtzman passes". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080721&content_id=3167355&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Hoyt Wilhelm Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilheho01.shtml. 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. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/07/27/2008-07-27_goose_gossage_joins_exclusive_club_of_re.html. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Rules for Election". National Baseball Hall of Fame. http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/rules-election/bbwaa. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  11. ^ Gagliano, Anthony (May 29, 2004). "Rivera earns 300th career save". MLB. http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040529&content_id=755613&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp. Retrieved July 11, 2011. 
  12. ^ "Mariano Rivera Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/riverma01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  13. ^ "Trevor Hoffman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hoffmtr01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  14. ^ "Lee Smith Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithle02.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  15. ^ "John Franco Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/francjo01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  16. ^ "Billy Wagner Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wagnebi02.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  17. ^ "Dennis Eckersley Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eckerde01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Jeff Reardon Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reardje01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  19. ^ Montella, Paul (May 19, 2011). "This Date in Baseball – MLB – ESPN". ESPN.com (ESPN Internet Ventures). http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=6565968. Retrieved August 22, 2011. 
  20. ^ "Troy Percival Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/percitr01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  21. ^ The Associated Press (July 29, 2004). "Percival gets 300th save against Texas | Amarillo.com | Amarillo Globe-News". Amarillo.com. http://amarillo.com/stories/2004/07/29/mlb_againsttexas.shtml. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Randy Myers Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/myersra01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  23. ^ Schmuck, Peter (July 2, 1997). "Myers, O's hit mark, 4–1 Closer gets 300th save – Baltimore Sun". Articles.baltimoresun.com. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-07-02/sports/1997183116_1_myers-400-saves-300-saves. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Rollie Fingers Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fingero01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  25. ^ "John Wetteland Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wettejo01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  26. ^ "Francisco Cordero Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cordefr01.shtml. Retrieved June 19, 2011. 
  27. ^ "Roberto Hernandez Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernaro01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  28. ^ "Hernandez picks up 300th save in Royals' win". Highbeam Research. Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. May 25, 2002. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-86271367.html. Retrieved August 22, 2011. 
  29. ^ "Jose Mesa Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mesajo01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  30. ^ "Jose 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. http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2005/m05/d04/c1037928.jsp. Retrieved August 22, 2011. 
  31. ^ "Todd Jones Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto02.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  32. ^ "AL Notes: Tigers' Jones notches 300th save | Baseball | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. September 18, 2007. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5143450.html. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  33. ^ "Rick Aguilera Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aguilri01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  34. ^ "On This Date – Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. June 2, 2006. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-06-02/sports/0606020301_1_cubs-quickest-rick-aguilera. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  35. ^ "Robb Nen Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nenro01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  36. ^ "Tom Henke Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/henketo01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  37. ^ "Goose Gossage Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gossari01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  38. ^ "Jeff Montgomery Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/montgje01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  39. ^ "Doug Jones Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesdo01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
  40. ^ "Jason Isringhausen Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/isrinja01.shtml. Retrieved August 16, 2011. 
  41. ^ "Bruce Sutter Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suttebr01.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2011.