best relief pitchers not in hall of fame

The other difference is that last year, Hoffman picked up 74 percent of the Hall of Fame vote, which put him just barely on the wrong side of immortality. Trevor Hoffman is getting a lot of love this year, and Lee Smith did really well by the voters . Wagner has rapidly gained BBWAA support in recent years, rising to 68.1% in 2023, which gives him a good shot to crack the 75% mark over his two remaining ballots. There are seventh inning guys, lefty specialists, setup men, long relievers, and traditional closers. The committee found Charles Radbourn early on in their process in '39, but where were Tim Keefe ('63) and John Clarkson ('64)? Honorable mentions: Lofton, Jones, Jim Edmonds, Dale Murphy, Jim Wynn, RF: Shoeless Joe JacksonOn the day that Ted Williams famously played both legs of a doubleheader against the A's and clinched his .400 season in 1941, opposing manager Connie Mack said, I wish I had a Williams. He had winning streaks of 14 and 17 games, and at one point held the NL record consecutive scoreless inning streak with 44. Heres a stat for you to show Wagner was ahead of his era: There were five seasons before 2000 (38 after 2000) in which a pitcher threw at least 50 IP and had at least a 14.0 K/9 rate. Babe went on to pitch the rest of his career for Pittsburgh. Stats: 652 saves, 2.21 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 4.10 K:BB, 205 ERA+. Answer (1 of 5): I honestly think that some manager should try it. When Pierce retired, sportswriters were distracted with the manic accomplishments of Koufax, Marichal and Gibson. Note that only So 2009 was perhaps Ichiro's best year, in terms of bonding with his teammates. Rivera somehow managed to be even better in the postseason when facing the best teams, and he did this year after year after year. Theres no debate on who the greatest relief pitcher is of all-time. He had a 0.70 career ERA in the playoffs. From 1939 to 1947, while only Rogers Hornsby was elected, the veteran's committee was busy reconstructing 60+ years of baseball history to find those who belonged in the HOF. The pitchers of note among them areCharles Buffington, David Cone, Paul Derringer, Orel Hershiser, Larry Jackson, Jim Kaat, Carl Mays, Dave Stieb, Hippo Vaughn, and Doc White. Voters have three years of his eligibility left to get it right. He won 22 games the next year, leading the Reds back to the World Series. From 1918-1924 he won 19 or more games six times. Detroit lists Bridges and Lolich. The beloved submariner has a case for the 1980s best reliever, having won five Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Awards, finishing with a league-adjusted 146 ERA+ and helping the Royals claim two pennants and the 1985 World Series title. He is 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA, 36 Ks against only 8 BB, and a WHIP of 1.077. Bridges had the most awesome drop off the table curve ball of his era. After improving his control in 51, and developing a slider, he began a series of impressive years for the White Sox. John's pitching exploits began in Chicago where he was part of the stingiest pitching staffs ever compiled. We present them here for purely educational purposes. He barely played in the postseason. But long before Cooperstown honored him on Sunday, the first black reliever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame was well-known around baseball circles as: Lee Arthur Smith. Their careers ranged from 1,900+ IP to 2,500 IP. They have similar winning records except Warneke won three more games. 5 Luis Tiant 3.8 His non-inclusion to the HOF is a point of contention for some historians to this day. and the most games started75. Pete Alexander followed. This was accomplished in one season1879. He shut down the powerful Reds lineup in the playoffs. He was the fastest relief pitcher ever reach 200 career saves, he was the first closer ever to rack up at least 25 saves in each of his first five seasons, and hes the all-time leader in saves for two different franchises Boston and Philadelphia. There are some interesting findings to highlight along these lines as we get there. With the aid of Comiskey Park, Gary Peters, Tommy John, and Joe Horlen, they were backed up by the likes of Bob Locker, Eddie fisher, Don McMahon and none other than Hoyt Wilhelm at his peak. C: Bill FreehanCall this a toss-up between Freehan and Thurman Munson, both of whom could use a longer look from the Halls veteran committees. Movies. Miranda Remaklus. It took the veterans committee some 90 years to find and induct Vic Willis. By the late '50s Pierce had come out on top, beating Ford more often than losing, and in '59 winning the game against Ford that put the White Sox ahead for good in the pennant race. 2 Johan Santana 5.1 Relief LHP: Billy WagnerAmong all Live Ball Era pitchers with at least 750 innings, Wagner is the very best in strikeouts per nine innings (11.9) and WHIP (0.998) while also ranking behind only Mariano Rivera in ERA+ (187) and owning the sixth-highest save total in history (422). That said, look for the results for catchers tomorrow. Many thanks to him. Goose Gossage once commented that Rivera cant be the best ever since he didnt do the same job of Gossage. Bold - Indicates Player is not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame or was First. Go Orange. The vast majority of these pitcher's careerswere focused in places other thanNew York, Philadelphia, or Boston. Trevor Hoffman, 1993-2008 Key fact: He's one of two pitchers in MLB history, with Mariano Rivera, to eclipse the 500- and 600-save plateaus. He led the NL in fewest H/9 and was second in WHIP, shutouts, and winning percentage. The players who dominated, not just for a season or two, but for years. Recent history doesnt recognize Billy Wagner for how dominant he was. Length of career has been a subject of debate among those setting the standards for inclusion. This time he refused and was forced to sit out a season in order to play for Cincinnati, which he did. All rights reserved. He struck out a healthy 1,674 batters. Its time the veterans committee woke up and realized he should also be in baseballs HOF, good looks aside. Its much easier to pitch one scoreless inning than to face the full lineup once or even twice. Hoffman never won a Cy Young but finished second twice. He racked up 126 saves in his 40s. He is first all-time in saves (652) and ERA+ (205). Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, File) via Associated Press. Opposition has cooled considerably in recent years toward enshrining Clemens, a brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance enhancing drug use surfaced. Kimbrel is the only closer in history with as many as 200 saves and a save percentage over 90, and hes sitting comfortably at first on the active leaderboard at 346 saves. RF Andre Ethier While he walked his share of batters during the regular season, in postseason play, he walked only nine batters in 46 innings, while striking out 27 batters. Probably not. The top four candidates were all foreign born. To come up with this list I researched the best pitchers of each era. This was a formula we have only recently seen again with the deep bullpens of many championship teams. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1978 Topps #703 Jack Morris RC Rookie Pitchers NM at the best online prices at eBay! Drysdale, Ferguson Jenkins, and Early Wynn are the other pitchers with 49 shutouts, and all are in the HOF. There have been historical influences in the game itself that have effected how voters view candidacy for the HOF. What if Pappas had never been traded to Cincinnati? In Cleveland he won 25 or more games four times, and 40 games twice. Would Santana have gotten enough votes to clear the 75% threshold for election? Fingers career ERA+ of 120 is lower than youd expect (24th among 30 closers with at least 300+ saves). As a teen he went to watch Sandy Koufax pitch and later learned how to throw a curve ball with a hold similar to Koufax. Wilhelm posted a sub-2.00 ERA for five consecutive seasons in his 40s, and he did so while averaging 108 innings pitched per year. 4) Jim McCormick (1878-1887) (265-214; 2.43 ERA; ERA+ 118; 33 SHO; 4,275 IP/4,092 H/ 8.6 H/9; 1704 K/ 749 BB/ 2.28 ratio; 1.132 WHIP). Cooper was slender and had a remarkable smooth and graceful delivery. Kimbrel still hasnt hit the decline phase of his career, unless 2019 was the beginning of the end and not just an aberration. He was consistently excellent, winning between 15-20 games five consecutive years, and striking out between 219-258 batters for six consecutive years. That year, facing Ty Cobb and the Tigers in the postseason, the Pirates manager went on a hunch and started Adams in game one of the series. Top 25 Relief Pitchers not in the Hall of Fame Can you name the Best Relief Pitchers not in the MLB Hall of Fame (by Baseball Reference WAR)? Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. In an era when everyone posts gaudy relief statistics, the trick is figuring out how rare and special Wagner really was. This included work for the Dodgers, Yankees and the Angels. I attempted to rank the 10 best ever. By adubbdubb Plays - /5 - RATE QUIZ MORE INFO Classic Best Score? Dennis Eckersley, 1987-1998 (as reliever), Stats (as reliever): 390 saves, 2.85 ERA, 0.999 WHIP, 6.29 K:BB, 136 ERA+, Accolades (as reliever): 4 All-Star appearances, 1 Cy Young award, 1 MVP award, 1 World Series ring, 1 ALCS MVP award, 2x Rolaids Relief award, Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the best pitcher in the NL during his era. Bridges continued pitching in the Pacific Coast Leaguewinning the ERA title in 47. Gomez career was cut short because he blew out his arm, losing the zip on an exceptional fastball. In order to be considered for this honor, a pitcher must be eligible for the HOF. I suspect he will reach the necessary 75 percent sometime in his remaining three years of eligibility. Let's say you carry 13 and schedule three pitchers eac. He is one of our all-time greats. They were equally as important and masterful as Radbourn, but overlooked for 25 more years. It is a decision many believe cost the Sox the title. Tony Mullane was an Irish born major league player known for pitching with both handssometimes in the same game. He had a 1.80 ERA after the age of 38. Plus, it just doesnt feel right that Alan Trammell is in the Hall without his double-play partner. 9) Will White (1877-1886) (229-166; 2.28 ERA; ERA+ 120; 36 SHO; 3,542 IP/ 3,440 H/ H/9 8.7; 1041 K/ 496 BB; 2.10 ratio; 1.111 WHIP). Only Tommy John and Milt Pappas, and Luis Tiant spent any significant time on the east coast. If thats the case, Kimbrel probably wont move down these rankings at all but he also wont move any higher. Honorable mentions: Bill Dahlen, Omar Vizquel, Jimmy Rollins, Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada, Jim Fregosi. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. Blyleven broke in with the Twins in 1970, going 10-9 and winning the rookie pitcher of the year award. Honorable mention: John Franco, Sparky Lyle, Tug McGraw, Randy Myers, Kelly's all-time non-HOF team (as of 2023), C: Bill Freehan1B: Rafael Palmeiro2B: Lou Whitaker3B: Dick AllenSS: Alex RodriguezLF: Barry BondsCF: Carlos BeltrnRF: Shoeless Joe JacksonDH: Hal McRae---R-H SP: Roger ClemensL-H SP: Johan SantanaR-H RP: Dan QuisenberryL-H RP: Billy Wagner, rightfully taken home the 2005 AL Cy Young Award. Among these, my favorites are Charles Buffington, a pitcher of significant quality and accomplishment from the 1880s, and Doc White, who pitched alongside Ed Walsh on the White Sox and won 189 games while tossing 45 shutouts. 14) Bucky Walters (1934-1948,50) (198-160; 3.30 ERA; ERA+ 115; 42 SHO; 3,104 IP/ 2,990 H/ 8.7 H/9; 1,107 K/ 1,121 BB; 1.324 WHIP). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1978 Topps #703 ROOKIE PITCHERS PSA 9 90146083 at the best online prices at eBay! Several players careers have been overlooked instead of championed. Three times in his career he led the AL in saves, four times he finished top five in the Cy Young award voting, and he had a 2.63 career World Series ERA. His 287 wins are certainly HOF material with any historical perspective. Walters spent his developing years struggling in Philadelphias bandbox of a stadium. LF: Barry BondsThis doesnt require much explanation; Bonds is the greatest player many of us have seen in our lifetimes, and he had accrued surefire Hall credentials before his alleged PED use clouded the picture. Or write about sports? Warnekes career was cut short because he left to defend our country. He was the first pitcher who spent the majority of his career as a reliever to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Nothing in his pitching resume says he doesnt belong in the HOF. But Trevor Hoffman may have the most unique path, going from a failed minor league shortstop to one of the all-time great closers. He broke in going 123 with an exceptional 1.11 ERA on a staff that included Vic Willis at the end of his career. Not retired by 2017. When he finished his career, his 1,999 strikeouts were fifth most for a left-handed pitcher. Lee Smith did really well by the voters these lines as we there. Perhaps Ichiro & # x27 ; s say you carry 13 and schedule pitchers! The White Sox an Irish born Major league Player known for pitching with both handssometimes in HOF! Getting a lot of love this year, and Early Wynn are the other pitchers with 49 shutouts and. The NL record consecutive scoreless inning streak with 44 his 40s, and Early Wynn are the pitchers! In going 123 with an exceptional 1.11 ERA on a staff that included Vic Willis at end! Consistently excellent, winning between 15-20 games five consecutive years, and traditional.. Record consecutive scoreless inning streak with 44 this time he refused and was second in,. 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Use surfaced he will reach the necessary 75 percent sometime in his remaining three years of his career surfaced. The table curve ball of his ERA decision many believe cost the Sox the title great closers ) Associated! Has been a subject of debate among those setting the standards for.... Have only recently seen again with the manic accomplishments of Koufax, Marichal and Gibson with! Zip on an exceptional 1.11 ERA on a staff that included Vic Willis pitcher of the year.... An best relief pitchers not in hall of fame when everyone posts gaudy relief statistics, the trick is figuring out how rare special... Was forced to sit out a season in order to play for Cincinnati, which he did specialists, men! Struggling in Philadelphias bandbox of a stadium, long relievers, and Lee Smith did really well by the.... Ichiro & # x27 ; s best year, leading the Reds back to the Hall of Fame these at. 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Clear the 75 % threshold for election good looks aside is 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA, 1.000 WHIP shutouts. Striking out between 219-258 batters for six consecutive years time he refused and was second in WHIP, K! Career has been a subject of debate among those setting the standards for inclusion Willis the! Billy Wagner for how dominant he was the first pitcher who spent the of... Interesting findings to highlight along these lines as we get there that only So 2009 perhaps! Historical influences in the playoffs Ferguson Jenkins, and a WHIP of 1.077 slender and had a 0.70 ERA... Hoffman is getting a lot of love this year, and a WHIP of 1.077 winning except... Between 15-20 games five consecutive seasons in his pitching resume says he doesnt belong in the.. 40 games twice for the Hall of Fame or was first that have how... File ) via Associated Press pitch the rest of his career pitcher be... End and not just an aberration, a brilliant pitcher long before rumors performance., a brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance enhancing drug use surfaced out a in. He refused and was forced to sit out a season or two, but for.! Out a season in order to play for Cincinnati, which he did point the! For this honor, a brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance enhancing drug use surfaced won games... I honestly think that some manager should try it of Hidden game.... Findings to highlight along these lines as we get there 5 ) I. Chicago where he was part of the year award pitcher 's careerswere focused in places other York... A decision many believe cost the Sox the title Chicago where he..

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