Who Has The Most Career Saves In MLB History?

Mariano Rivera holds the all-time MLB record for career saves with 652. He played for the New York Yankees for his entire 19-year career, from 1995 to 2013. Rivera was a dominant closer, winning five World Series championships with the Yankees and making 13 All-Star teams. He was known for his signature cutter pitch and his incredible consistency, never blowing more than 24 saves in a season.

Rivera's 652 saves is a staggering number, and it is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. The only other pitcher to reach 600 saves is Trevor Hoffman, who retired in 2010 with 601 saves. Rivera is also the only pitcher to have won 40 or more saves in 10 different seasons.

Rivera's dominance as a closer was unprecedented. He was the first pitcher to record 500 saves, and he did it faster than any other pitcher in history. He also holds the MLB record for most saves in the postseason (42).

Rivera was a key member of the Yankees' dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was the closer for all five of the Yankees' World Series championships during that time period. Rivera was also named the World Series MVP in 1999 after he pitched 3.2 shutout innings and recorded two saves in the Yankees' five-game victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Rivera was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019 in his first year of eligibility. He received a record-breaking 99.7% of the vote, making him the first player to be elected unanimously to the Hall of Fame.

Overview Who has the most career saves in MLB history?

Here is a list of the top 10 pitchers in MLB history in terms of career saves:

1. Mariano Rivera - 652
2. Trevor Hoffman - 601
3. Lee Smith - 478
4. Francisco Rodríguez - 437
5. John Franco - 424
6. Billy Wagner - 422
7. Kenley Jansen - 420
8. Craig Kimbrel - 417
9. Dennis Eckersley - 390
10. Joe Nathan - 377

What makes a great closer?

There are many qualities that make a great closer. First, they need to have a dominant pitch that they can throw for strikes consistently. Rivera's cutter was one of the best pitches in MLB history, and it was the key to his success.

Second, closers need to have a strong mental game. They need to be able to handle the pressure of closing out games, even when things are not going their way. Rivera was always cool under pressure, and he rarely blew saves.

Finally, closers need to be durable. They need to be able to pitch in high-leverage situations on a regular basis. Rivera pitched in more than 1,000 games in his career, and he was one of the most reliable closers in MLB history.

Mariano Rivera's legacy

Mariano Rivera is widely regarded as the greatest closer of all time. He holds the MLB record for career saves, and he was a dominant force on the mound for nearly two decades. Rivera was also a key member of the Yankees' dynasty of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Rivera's legacy is one of excellence and consistency. He was a true professional who always put the team first. He was also a role model for young players, and he showed them what it means to be a champion.

Additional information

Here is some additional information about Mariano Rivera and his career saves record:

• Rivera's 652 saves is the most by any pitcher in both the American League and the National League.
• Rivera is the only pitcher to have recorded 500 or more saves.
• Rivera is the only pitcher to have recorded 40 or more saves in 10 different seasons.
• Rivera had an MLB record 15 seasons with at least 28 saves.
• Rivera's career 2.21 ERA is the lowest among any pitcher with at least 1,000 innings pitched.
• Rivera had an MLB record 952 games finished in his career.
• Rivera was selected to the All-Star team 13 times, the most ever by a reliever.
• Rivera had a career postseason ERA of 0.70, the lowest in MLB history.
• Rivera was on five Yankees World Series championship teams (1996, 1998-2000, 2009).
• Rivera won the 1999 World Series MVP and 2003 ALCS MVP awards.
• Rivera was the first player ever to be elected unanimously to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mariano Rivera holds the all-time MLB record for career saves with 652. He was a dominant closer for the New York Yankees for 19 seasons and was a key part of their late 1990s dynasty. Rivera reinvented the closer role with his signature cutter pitch and his ability to consistently deliver in high-pressure situations. His postseason numbers are among the best in MLB history. Rivera's career saves record is unlikely to ever be broken. He was deservedly the first unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as the greatest closer of all time.