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Lists about America's pastime, including rankings of MLB players by every position. 

Clayton Kershaw

Who are the greatest pitchers of all time? Trying to decide who is the absolute greatest MLB pitcher ever is challenging&nbsp;to say the least, but it can be done -&nbsp;right here. This list includes some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best Major League Baseball players of all time</a>, but it is by no means complete. Add anyone you think is missing, vote for your favorites, and&nbsp;re-rank this list in any order you choose. Featuring starting pitchers, players known for throwing the fastest pitches and cool curveballs, Black pitchers, left handed pitchers, and more, our rankings include&nbsp;old baseball legends and the new players currently pitching today. Who are the most famous pitchers in the world? Are your favorites in the top 25? Get your votes in, and let&#39;s see who&#39;s the best of the best.

Each of the excellent baseball pitchers on this list can&nbsp;arguably&nbsp;be called the &quot;best,&quot; but they&#39;re all names every baseball fan should know. Some were known for their incredible fastballs; others, including Sandy Koufax and Bert Blyleven, are known for being some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-curveball-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest curveball pitchers of all time</a>. These are the famous pitchers who managed, with sheer skill, to outwit and beat some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too.

If you&#39;re interested in some modern-era baseball phenoms, check out this list of the <a href="/list/best-current-mlb-pitchers/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">best current MLB pitchers</a>, and vote for the current players you think deserve the top spots.

Best Athletes

Gabby Hartnett

After Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra (obvious greats), it's all opinion as to who the best catchers of all time are! A catcher has to have insane defensive prowess and focus to be considered great. Not surprisingly, several of the famous baseball catchers listed here are also among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players ever</a>&nbsp;in the MLB. The best baseball catchers on this list are from different teams, but all have impressive stats that back up their legacy.&nbsp;Who are the greatest catchers of all time? This list includes some of the most talented, legendary catchers in Major League Baseball history. From Yogi Berra to Thurman Munson, the players listed here were exemplary in their abilities. Vote for the MLB catchers you think are the best, vote down any you don't think deserve a spot and certainly, if any great catchers are missing, add them. You can also rerank this list your way.What makes a great catcher? It's more than just defensive prowess. A catcher's responsibilities are many. They've got to be able to work well with any and all <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-famous-baseball-starting-pitchers-who-play-professionally/reference" target="_blank">starting pitchers</a>, calling a good game for them so they can concentrate on getting batters out. Offensively, the greatest catchers of all time were able to contribute to their team's wins with the bat: They could hit. Typically, the MLB's best catchers might not have the speed that some of the outfielders do, but they've often got the power.Need proof? Just look at some of the names listed here. Yes, Bench, Fisk and certainly Mike Piazza all qualify, having had hundreds of home runs during their esteemed MLB careers.

Baseball

Jack Morris

The best baseball players not in the hall of fame are here on this list, though the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/2020-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot</a> has&nbsp;room for some of these stars.&nbsp;In order to be considered as slighted by the baseball hall of fame, a player must be non-active and have had the ability to appear on the hall of fame ballot at least once. Some of these men are considered to be among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, yet remain off of the &quot;official&quot; list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best MLB players</a> ever at the baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown.

What keeps a player out of the baseball hall of fame? Some of these players- like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire- have been involved in PED (performance enhancing drug) scandals, others broke the cardinal rule of not betting on the sport (Pete Rose), and still others were involved in a baseball player scandal, like Shoeless Joe Jackson who is said to have contributed to his team throwing the World Series. Some of the best baseball players are simply not on the list because they haven&#39;t yet acquired the 75% vote necessary for induction.

Who should be in the baseball hall of fame? What top baseball players are not in the hall of fame? Who are the best players not in the baseball hall of fame? These are the questions addressed here in the list of the greatest baseball players not in the hall of fame. If your favorite player isn&#39;t on the list, make sure to add them so others can agree or disagree.

If you&#39;re keeping track of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players">best current baseball players</a> make sure to check on that list and vote for your favorite baseball all-star.

Jeff Bagwell

Who are the greatest first basemen of all time? From the incomparable talents of Lou Gehrig to the stunning abilities of modern-era players like Albert Pujols, this list includes some of the best Major League Baseball first basemen, and really, some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> to ever play the game. Who is your top choice? Be sure to vote, and you can also rerank this list in any order you want. 

The outstanding first basemen listed here all have similar abilties: They are versatile, incredibly quick and, quite often these days, the first baseman is also a wicked power hitter. Not surprisingly, several of the players on this list could easily be considered among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too. This list is full of excellent, talented first bag guys with great power numbers.

If you're a huge baseball fanatic, you might enjoy these lists of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest third basemen of all time</a>, the <a href="/crowdranked-list/all-time-best-shortstops" target="_blank">all-time best shortstops</a> and the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest pitchers of all time</a>, too.

Mike Schmidt

The best hitters in baseball history are those who hold the all-time hitting records in Major League Baseball, change the game as we know it, and are amongst the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>. These sluggers dominated during their respective eras and captivated audiences at the same time. If you were to pick a top hitter for your all-time top baseball fantasy team, you'd be silly not to select these best baseball hitters as soon as possible.Pete Rose, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron and Stan Musial all hold the top spots among the MLB all time hits, with Rose leading the pack at 4,256 over his career. Rose finished his career in 1986 and his record has withstood&nbsp;the time since.But the best hitters cannot be defined by the number of career hits alone. On that stat,&nbsp;Babe Ruth, arguably the best baseball hitter of all time, would rank in the 40s. Ruth&nbsp;holds top numbers for his home runs, slugging percentage, runs batted in and on-base&nbsp;percentage&nbsp;stats. Lou Gehrig is another who'd fall into that category with his major league records for the most grand slams -&nbsp;a figure since topped by a great modern slugger, Alex Rodriguez.So we're left with a conundrum. Do we deem those great players from yesteryear, like Willie Mays, Ted Williams and Shoeless Joe Jackson&nbsp;the best baseball hitters of all time? Do we give some love to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-baseball-players/alecdom" target="_blank">current top baseball players</a>&nbsp;like Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter? Tell us how you feel by voting for the best hitters in baseball history below!

Hank Aaron

This greatest baseball players list represents the combined lists of baseball fans everywhere. Anyone can make their own list of the best ballplayers ever to play the game, making this crowdranking a true consensus on who&#39;s the best baseball player of all time.

So who is the greatest baseball player of all time? There are plenty of amazing <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">top MLB players</a>&nbsp;to choose from. Are you a New York Yankees fan? Then you&#39;ll really like this list with Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and more repping your team. The same goes for fans of Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson, Stan Musial, Barry Bonds and everyone else who should be considered among the greatest baseball players of all time.&nbsp;

Bobby Grich

The greatest 2nd basemen of all time include some of the most iconic names in MLB history. Many of the names on this list are famous players who dominated during the pre-1950s era of Major League Baseball, like Rogers Hornsby and Jackie Robinson, but a few modern-era players like Joe Morgan and Ryne Sandberg are also considered among the best. These guys are the best second basemen in the league and make some of the toughest plays look so incredibly easy, with excellent fielding skills. Who do you think deserves the honor of the best 2nd baseman of all time? Vote for your favorite second baseman and rerank this list any way you like. The greatest second basemen of all time were slap hitters that got on base and set the table for their team. In recent years, the trend has shifted towards power, and that's changing the face of the 2-bagger dramatically. Like some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest first basemen ever</a>, these 2nd base players were true leaders on their respective teams. From Joe Morgan and Jackie Robinson (arguably two of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> ever) to modern players like Cano and Pedroia, every player listed here played (or plays) a key role for their team and many are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">power hitters</a>.

Pee Wee Reese

This list of the greatest shortstops of all time includes some of the most iconic, <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> in Major League Baseball history. These MLB shortstops gave everything they had on the field and with their bats, to help their respective teams win games. Who do you believe is the greatest shortstop to ever play the game? Vote for the players you like the most, vote down any you don't think deserve the honor. Also, feel free to rerank this list - your order can affect the overall player order.Any list of the greatest shortstops to ever play the game should include the late, great Honus Wagner. The Flying Dutchman is one of the best to ever take the field, and his speed and hitting abilities are legendary. With a record eight batting titles, Wagner is not only one of the best shortstops, he's also one of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">greatest hitters</a> in baseball history. In terms of modern-era shortstops, names like Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken, Jr. come to mind almost instantly. Who gets a top 10 spot? That's for you to decide with your votes. And while you're at it, you might want to cast your vote for the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest throwing arms of all time</a>!

John Smoltz

The best starting pitchers in baseball history have one vital quality in common: their ability to win. There are so many different ways to define a great pitcher: pitch velocity, outstanding command of their pitch locations and can have ridiculous movement on their breaking stuff. The best starting pitchers have a special quality that makes them more dominant than their contemporaries. They have the rare ability to reach back and get a key out when it's absolutely necessary. Many baseball fans love a starting pitcher who can throw in the high-90s and even low-100s. Throughout his 27-year career, Nolan Ryan hit those high-water marks. The pitcher nicknamed the Ryan Express is widely considered one of the best power pitchers of all time alongside Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez and a few others. On the opposite side sits pitchers like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine from the successful Atlanta Braves teams from the '90s. These pitchers were able to make up for their lack of pitch power by having arguably the best pitch placement in baseball history.Here is your opportunity to vote on which starting pitcher can be considered the best in baseball history.This Ultimate List will determine by your vote who can be considered the best starting pitcher of all time.

Ron Cey

The greatest third basemen of all time include some veteran MLB players, many of whom are considered among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players ever</a>. These are the guys who played the hot corner like a boss. They demonstrated excellent fielding abilities and contributed to the betterment of their teams with ease. Who do you believe is the best third baseman ever? Vote for your choices, vote down any players you don't think deserve the honor and of course, re-rank this list in any order you want.A great 3rd baseman will, of course, have an excellent fielding percentage, and the true greats also manage to be excellent at both defense and offense. Need examples? How about George Brett, arguably one of the third base greats - but he's also one of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too (the same can be said for Mike Schmidt, among others). And can anyone dare argue that the brilliant &quot;Human Vacuum Cleaner,&quot; Brooks Robinson, isn't one of the greatest third basemen of all time? Enjoy voting for the players you believe are the best third baggers ever to play the game.

Eddie Plank

Who is the best MLB left handed pitcher ever? This list includes pitchers in the Hall of Fame as well as those who have not yet been inducted, but are truly great. It also includes players from all eras of baseball. They are responsible for coming in during crucial situations and preventing runs. This list has been ranked by baseball fans with the best Major League left handed pitchers of all time.Major League Baseball is America’s pastime and from its pastoral beginnings, through to its professional urban setting today, it has always captured the imaginations and hearts of fans. Baseball is a game many Americans played as kids, and for that reason it always holds a special place in the American zeitgeist. Opening day each spring is something many baseball fans count down to all year long.The best left handed pitchers of all time on this list include players such as Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn, and Sandy Koufax. The best left handers ever in Major League Baseball are all supremely talented at getting batters out in all situations. Through their careers these <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-starting-pitchers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best starting pitchers</a> helped their teams jockey for post-season position and win games.Vote up the best left handed pitchers of all time or add the lefty pitcher you think is the best to have ever played if he isn't already on the list.

Ken Griffey, Jr.

Who are the greatest centerfielders of all time? Looking at this list, which includes some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> ever to play the game, it's hard not to be awe struck by the incredible defensive talent. On top of that, nearly all of the outstanding centerfielders here are also among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in MLB history</a>. Vote for the players that you believe were the best center fielders ever, and add any that might be missing. Also, you can re-rank this list to your liking.

A great center fielder is without a doubt one of the premiere defensive players on any baseball team. They must be incredibly alert and athletic, because they've got a lot of territory to protect. In short, the centerfielder gets a lot of action. It's not just speed, though: The best center fielders also possess great arm strength and accuracy. 

Many of the best centerfielders in Major League Baseball history (past and present) have some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">strongest throwing arms in baseball</a>, ever. Sure, they make the routine plays that get outs for their teams, but they also astound occasionally with incredible, spectacular catches.

Miller Huggins

List of the best MLB Managers of all time, ranked by baseball fans according to number of career regular-season wins, leadership, charisma and that intangible x factor. Professional baseball managers&nbsp;have a lot of responsibility in the game of pro-baseball. Managers choose the batting order and starting pitcher before each game and make substitutions throughout the game. Most significantly, great MLB managers know just the right time to bring in a relief pitcher.How much strategic control do managers have in baseball? It differs from manager to manager and game to game. Some managers control pitch selection, defensive positioning, decisions to bunt, steal, pitch out, etc., while others designate an assistant coach or a player (often the catcher) to make some or all of these decisions. Some notable Major League Baseball managers choose to act as their team's first base or third base coach while their team is batting in order to more closely communicate with baserunners, but most managers delegate this responsibility to an assistant. Managers are typically assisted by two or more coaches. In many cases, top professional baseball managers are former professional, semi-professional or college players.

poll

Trevor Hoffman

Who are the best closers in baseball history? The players on this list shut down late innings with both class and style. Many of them are/were considered the best in the bullpen -- and among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, for that matter. Some are still playing, but others have officially retired from Major League Baseball. Enjoy this list of the top closing pitchers, vote for the closers you think are the greatest to ever hit the mound, and feel free to re-rank this list in any order you see fit.

The best relief pitchers ever in baseball have one thing in common: They get the job done. When a closer takes the mound, it's crunch time. Often, the closer has the awesome responsibility of helping his team hold a narrow lead. One run could change the outcome, and the relief pitcher has to make sure no one hits him. There is a reason why closers are the highest paid relief players on the team, after all.

Looking for more great baseball-related lists? Cast your votes for the <a href="/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players" target="_blank">top current baseball players</a>, the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-designated-hitters-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest designated hitters of all time</a> and the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>.

Jeff Francoeur

This list of the greatest throwing arms of all time includes some legendary MLB players known for being true flamethrowers from the outfield. These baseball players might be way out in the outfield, but they get (or got) a ton of attention for making some incredibly exciting defensive plays, via assists. Which Major League Baseball players do you think had the best throwing arms ever?Vote, and be sure to re-rank this list your way, too.MLB players with the greatest throwing arms ever had cannons, keeping runners who were thinking about stealing bases in place, because they knew the chances they'd get thrown out were very, very high. The ballplayers listed here are without a doubt some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> ever. Every single one of them racked up incredible assist numbers, combining sheer strength with athleticism and accuracy. If baseball's your thing, you'll definitely want to check out these lists of the greatest <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">first</a>, <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-2nd-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">second</a> and <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">third basemen of all time</a>.&nbsp;

Frank Robinson

What names come to mind when you think of the greatest right-fielders of all time? This list includes some of the best to ever play the game, including such Major League Baseball legends as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson. This is, quite simply, an amazing list of power, defensive prowess, great arms, speed and high averages. Right field really does have it all. Vote for your top choices, vote down any right-fielders you don't believe deserve a spot on this list and re-rank these players in any order you like.

Some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a> are, not surprisingly, also excellent right-fielders. These players managed to combine excellent hitting abilities with <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">stellar throwing arms</a> - basically a dream combination for any MLB player (or coach, for that matter).

What does it take to play right field? The best right-fielders listed here were outstanding defensive players. Some might believe that right field is an "easy" position, but it really isn't - you've got to be really fast and you've got to have a rocket of an arm. 

For more great baseball voting, check out these lists of the greatest <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-left-fielders-of-all-time" target="_blank">left-fielders ever, as well as the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">first</a>, <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-2nd-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">second</a> and <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">third basemen of all time</a>.

George Foster

Who are the greatest left-fielders of all time? Baseball's best left field players include some amazing legends of the game, with names like Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Carl Yastrzemski. They are without question among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, contributing to their respective teams while carving out their own Major League Baseball legacy. The mixture of power and average sets the left fielder apart from the other positions.

Which left-field players do you think deserve the top spots on this list? Vote them up, and be sure to re-rank this list as well (your rankings to affect the overall order of the CrowdRanked list).

Many of the left field players listed here have some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest throwing arms of all time</a> (they have to, given the position), and without a doubt most are also included on any distinguished list of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too (Ted Williams? Stan Musial? Enough said).

Playing left field can be tricky. First of all, you absolutely must assume that ever single ball hit to the third baseman and the shortstop is going to be missed. You have got to be ready at all times to back up your teammates in the event they make an error. All of these players did (or do) that and more.

Chili Davis

Who are the best all-time designated hitters? These guys are sent to the plate to hack away, and that's just what they do, time and time again. The greatest designated hitters of all time include some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> in history. These DH players are true game changers, stepping up to the plate and giving it their all. Vote for the MLB designated hitters that you think are the best ever, vote down any you don't think deserve a spot here and rerank this list of players in any order you want.

The designated hitter is perhaps one of the most specialized positions in baseball. These are the players who bat for the pitchers. Each team gets just one DH, and, interestingly enough, the DH rule was only adopted by the American League (that may change, eventually).

Designated hitters, especially those on this list, are brought in to up a team's offense with more hits and (hopefully) more runs. Some of the greats listed here are among <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">the best hitters in baseball history</a> (Edgar Martinez, anyone?) and some players are included on this list of <a href="/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players" target="_blank">the best current baseball players</a>, too.

Who do you think should make the list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-current-nba-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best current players</a> in baseball? Ranked by fans, critics, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-famous-sports-analysts/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">sports analysts</a>, this list includes the best current MLB players in all positions, from rookies to veteran&nbsp;pros. Vote for those you believe to be the best current baseball players in order to move them up the list, or click &quot;rerank&quot; to customize an order of your own.The best MLB players are those who have consistently proven their talent on the field. From expert pitchers to top <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-shortstops-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">short stops</a>, these great athletes have made a name for themselves by being better than the rest. Who is the best player in baseball? There's sure to be plenty of debate. But the only way to get your voice heard (and make sure your choice for the best player in MLB makes it to the top of the list) is to vote! Remember, the guys on this list have be current players&nbsp;who play in the league today. Though they may soon be considered some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best baseball players</a> of all time, for now, we're ranking who is best on the field right now!

Kansas City Royals

What are the best baseball teams ever? Anyone who loves MLB likely has at least one, or more, favorite teams. Some people fall in love with their favorite teams early on in life; others grow to appreciate a baseball team more and more as they get older. From the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees to the Baltimore Orioles, this list includes some of the all-time top MLB teams. Vote for the baseball teams you love the most, vote down any you don't like and please, re-rank this list based on your personal opinions - your rerankings will affect the final tally!

What makes a baseball team the best? Certainly, world titles should be considered, but just because a baseball team has won the most World Series' doesn't mean everyone is a fan. Some of the teams listed here are known for having the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-mlb-ballparks" target="_blank">best MLB ballparks</a>, for example. Sometimes, it's all about the overall experience!

Players are certainly important: Any team with the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a> is going to be hugely popular. From the top notch, <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters</a> to the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-closers-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best closers in baseball history</a>, a team's roster certainly matters when choosing the greatest baseball teams.

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The greatest relief pitchers of all time include some of the <a href="/list/best-current-mlb-pitchers/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">best current MLB players</a>, as well as some legends who are already in the baseball hall of fame. What do you think: Is Mariano Rivera the best relief pitcher in baseball history? Vote for the players you think deserve the top honor, and vote down any that you don't think are worthy. Also, rerank this list in any order you want.

Here's the thing about a really great relief pitcher: They are golden. They really are, because if you find a great team that's performing extremely well, during the regular or the post-season, the chances are very good that they've got an ace relief pitcher at the end of the rotation. All that work, all those runs accrued, mean absolutely nothing if things fall apart in the ninth inning. A great closer seals the deal, period.

If you want to vote some more, why not head over and decide who you think is the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-curveball-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest curveball pitcher</a> or the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hittters in baseball history</a>, too?

Top 25 Greatest Relief Pitchers of All Time

The Greatest Relief Pitchers of All Time

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Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera (born November 29, 1969) is a Panamanian-American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. Nicknamed "Mo" and "Sandman", he spent most of his career as a relief pitcher and served as the Yankees' closer for 17 seasons. A thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, he is MLB's career leader in saves (652) and games finished (952). Rivera won five American League (AL) Rolaids Relief Man Awards and three Delivery Man of the Year Awards, and he finished in the top three in voting for the AL Cy Young Award four times. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2019 in his first year of eligibility, and was the first player ever to be elected unanimously by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA).Raised in the modest Panamanian fishing village of Puerto Caimito, Rivera was an amateur player until he was signed by the Yankees organization in 1990. He debuted in the major leagues in 1995 as a starting pitcher, before permanently converting to a relief pitcher late in his rookie year. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees' closer in 1997. In the following seasons, he established himself as one of baseball's top relievers, leading the major leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. Rivera primarily threw a sharp-moving, mid-90s mile-per-hour cut fastball that frequently broke hitters' bats and earned a reputation as one of the league's toughest pitches to hit. With his presence at the end of games, signaled by his foreboding entrance song "Enter Sandman", Rivera was a key contributor to the Yankees' success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. An accomplished postseason performer, he was named the 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the 2003 AL Championship Series MVP, and he holds several postseason records, including lowest earned run average (ERA) (0.70) and most saves (42).
Rivera is regarded as one of the most dominant relievers in major league history. Pitching with a longevity and consistency uncommon to the closer role, he saved at least 25 games in 15 consecutive seasons and posted an ERA under 2.00 in 11 seasons, both of which are records. His career 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP are the lowest in the live-ball era among qualified pitchers. Fellow players credit him with popularizing the cut fastball across the major leagues. Along with his signature pitch, Rivera was known for his precise control, smooth pitching motion, and for his composure and reserved demeanor on the field. In 2013, the Yankees retired his uniform number 42; he was the last major league player to wear the number full-time, following its league-wide retirement in honor of Jackie Robinson. A devout Christian, Rivera has been involved in philanthropic causes and the religious community through the Mariano Rivera Foundation.

Dennis Eckersley

Dennis Lee Eckersley (born October 3, 1954), nicknamed "Eck", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Between 1975 and 1998, he pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals. Eckersley had success as a starter, but gained his greatest fame as a closer, becoming the first of two pitchers in MLB history to have both a 20-win season and a 50-save season in a career. He is the pitcher who gave up a dramatic walk-off home run (a phrase Eckersley coined) to the injured Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Eckersley was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, his first year of eligibility. He works with New England Sports Network (NESN) as a part-time color commentator for Red Sox broadcasts, and is also a game analyst for Turner Sports for their Sunday MLB Games and MLB Post Season coverage on TBS.

Trevor William Hoffman (born October 13, 1967) is an American former baseball relief pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1993 to 2010. A long-time closer, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, including more than 15 years for the Padres. He was the major leagues' first player to reach the 500- and 600-save milestones, and was the all-time saves leader from 2006 until 2011. Hoffman was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2018. He currently serves as senior advisor for baseball operations for the Padres.
Hoffman played shortstop collegiately at the University of Arizona and was drafted in the 11th round by the Cincinnati Reds. After not having much success batting, Hoffman was converted to a pitcher, as he was able to throw up to 95 miles per hour (mph). The Marlins acquired him in the 1992 expansion draft, and he pitched in Florida until he was traded to the Padres mid-season in 1993 in a deal that sent star Gary Sheffield to the Marlins. Hoffman recorded 20 saves in 1994 in his first season as Padres closer, and in the following years, he became the face of the franchise after Tony Gwynn retired. He collected at least 30 saves each year for the next 14 years, except for 2003 when he missed most of the year recovering from shoulder surgery. After San Diego did not re-sign him following the 2008 season, Hoffman pitched for two years with the Brewers before retiring after the 2010 season. 
Hoffman was selected for the All-Star team seven times, and twice he was the runner-up for the National League (NL) Cy Young Award, given annually to the top pitcher in the league. He retired with MLB records of fifteen 20-save seasons, fourteen 30-save seasons (including eight consecutive), and nine 40-save seasons (including two streaks of four consecutive). He also retired with the highest career strikeout rate of any reliever. Though he entered the majors with a powerful fastball, an injury after the 1994 season permanently sapped Hoffman's fastball velocity and forced him to reinvent his pitching style; he subsequently developed one of the best changeups in baseball. Hoffman's entrance at home games accompanied by the song "Hells Bells" was popular with fans. 
After retiring as a player, Hoffman returned to the Padres as a special assistant in the front office. In 2014, he became the team's pitching coordinator at their upper minor league levels, which included working with the Padres general manager. The following year, his role expanded to overseeing pitching instruction at all levels in the minors.

Rollie Fingers

Roland Glen Fingers (born August 25, 1946) is an American retired professional baseball pitcher. Fingers pitched in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics (1968–76), San Diego Padres (1977–80) and Milwaukee Brewers (1981–85). Fingers is a three-time World Series champion, a seven-time MLB All-Star, a four-time Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, and three-time MLB saves champion. Fingers won the American League Most Valuable Player Award and Cy Young Award in 1981.
In 1992, he became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.  Fingers is also one of only a few MLB players to have his number retired by more than one club (Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers). Fingers is also known for his neatly groomed handlebar mustache.

Goose Gossage

Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage (born July 5, 1951) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career (from 1972–1994), he pitched for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" came about when a friend did not like his previous nickname "Goss", and noted he looked like a goose when he extended his neck to read the signs given by the catcher when he was pitching. Although Gossage is otherwise generally referred to as "Rich" in popular media, a baseball field named after him bears the name "Rick".In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he was one of the earliest manifestations of the dominating modern closer, with wild facial hair and a gruff demeanor to go along with his blistering fastball. He led the American League in saves three times and was runner-up twice; by the end of the 1987 season he ranked second in major-league career saves, trailing only Rollie Fingers, although by the end of his career his total of 310 had slipped to fourth all-time. When he retired he also ranked third in major-league career games pitched (1,002), and he remains third in wins in relief (115) and innings pitched in relief (1,556⅔); his 1,502 strikeouts place him behind only Hoyt Wilhelm among pitchers who pitched primarily in relief. He also is the career leader in blown saves (112).  From 1977 through 1983 he never recorded an earned run average over 2.62, including a mark of 0.77 in 1981, and in 1980 he finished third in AL voting for both the MVP Award and Cy Young Award as the Yankees won a division title.Respected for his impact in crucial games, Gossage recorded the final out to clinch a division, league, or World Series title seven times. His eight All-Star selections as a reliever were a record until Mariano Rivera passed him in 2008; he was also selected once as a starting pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. He now works in broadcasting.

Billy Wagner

William Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Marion, Virginia), nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched for the Houston Astros (1995–2003), Philadelphia Phillies (2004–2005), New York Mets (2006–2009), Boston Red Sox (2009), and Atlanta Braves (2010). Wagner is one of only six major league relief pitchers to accumulate at least 400 career saves. A left-handed batter and thrower, Wagner stands 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall and weighs 180 pounds (82 kg).
A natural-born right-hander, Wagner learned to throw left-handed after fracturing his arm twice in his youth in Marion. His 11.9 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched ratio (K/9) is the highest of any major league pitcher with at least 800 innings pitched. He was a seven-time All-Star and the 1999 National League (NL) Rolaids Relief Man Award winner. He finished in the top ten in saves in the NL ten times, and in the top ten in games finished nine times.

jangulo

Bruce Sutter

Howard Bruce Sutter (; born January 8, 1953) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1976 and 1988. He was one of the sport's dominant relievers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making effective use of the split-finger fastball. A six-time All-Star and 1982 World Series champion, Sutter recorded a 2.83 career earned run average and 300 saves, the third-most in MLB history at the time of his retirement. Sutter won the National League's (NL) Cy Young Award in 1979 as its top pitcher, and won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award four times. He became the only pitcher to lead the NL in saves five times (1979–1982, 1984).
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sutter briefly attended Old Dominion University and was subsequently signed by the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 1971. He played five years for the Cubs, four for the St. Louis Cardinals, and three for the Atlanta Braves, serving as each team's closer during his tenure. His usage in the eighth and ninth innings of games was partly responsible for ushering in a more specialized era for the closer role. In the mid-1980s, Sutter began to experience shoulder problems, undergoing three surgeries before retiring in 1989.
Sutter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, his 13th year of eligibility. He was also honored by the Cardinals with the retirement of his uniform number 42 in 2006 and induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014. Sutter has served as a minor league consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies.

John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967), nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke," is an American former baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time All-Star, Smoltz was part of a celebrated trio of starting pitchers, along with Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, who propelled Atlanta to perennial pennant contention in the 1990s, highlighted by a championship in the 1995 World Series. He won the National League (NL) Cy Young Award in 1996 after posting a record of 24–8, equaling the most victories by an NL pitcher since 1972. Though predominantly known as a starter, Smoltz was converted to a reliever in 2001 after his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and spent four years as the team's closer before returning to a starting role. In 2002, he set the NL record with 55 saves and became only the second pitcher in history (joining Dennis Eckersley) to record both a 20-win season and a 50-save season. He is the only pitcher in major league history to record both 200 wins and 150 saves.
Smoltz was one of the most prominent pitchers in playoff history, posting a record of 15–4 with a 2.67 earned run average (ERA) in 41 career postseason games, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1992 NL Championship Series; Andy Pettitte later broke his record for career postseason wins. Smoltz led the NL in wins, winning percentage, strikeouts and innings pitched twice each, and his NL total of 3,084 strikeouts ranked fifth in league history when he retired. He also holds the Braves franchise record for career strikeouts (3,011), and the record for the most career games pitched for the Braves (708) since the club's move to Atlanta in 1966; from 2004 to 2014, he held the franchise record for career saves. Smoltz left the Braves after 2008 and split his final season with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Since retiring as a player, he has served as a color commentator and analyst on television. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, his first year of eligibility.

rcdwhiteley

Lee Smith

Lee Arthur Smith (born December 4, 1957) is an American former baseball pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eight teams. Lee served mostly as a relief pitcher during his career. One of the dominant closers in baseball history, Smith held the major league record for career saves from 1993 until 2006, when San Diego Padres relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman passed his final total of 478.  Smith was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on December 9, 2018 as part of the Today's Game Era Committee vote.
A native of Jamestown in Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, Smith was scouted by Buck O'Neil and drafted by the Cubs in the 1975 MLB Draft. Smith was an intimidating figure on the pitcher's mound at 6 feet, 6 inches (1.98 m) and 265 pounds (120 kg) with a 95-mile per hour (150 km/h) fastball. In 1991, Smith set a National League (NL) record with 47 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals, and was runner-up for the league's Cy Young Award; it was the second of three times he led the NL in saves, and he later led the American League (AL) once while with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994. He also set the major league career record for games finished (802), and his 1,022 career games pitched were the third-most in history when he retired; he still holds the team records for career saves for the Cubs (180), and he also held the Cardinals record (160) until 2006.
After the end of his major league career, Smith spent time working as a pitching instructor at the minor-league level with the San Francisco Giants. He then served as the pitching coach for the South Africa national baseball team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and 2009 World Baseball Classic. Smith is a minor-league roving pitching instructor for the Giants.



Hoyt Wilhelm

James Hoyt Wilhelm (July 26, 1922 – August 23, 2002), nicknamed "Old Sarge", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers between 1952 and 1972. Wilhelm was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985, and is one of 83 pitchers enshrined in the Hall.
Wilhelm grew up in North Carolina, fought in World War II, and then spent several years in the minor leagues before starting his major league career at the age of 29. He was best known for his knuckleball, which enabled him to have great longevity. He appeared occasionally as a starting pitcher, but pitched mainly as a reliever. Wilhelm won 124 games in relief, which is still the major league record. He was the first pitcher to reach 200 saves, and the first to appear in 1,000 games.
Wilhelm was nearly 30 years old when he entered the major leagues, and pitched until he was nearly 50. He retired with one of the lowest career earned run averages, 2.52, in baseball history. After retiring as a player in 1972 Wilhelm held longtime coaching jobs with the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He lived in Sarasota, Florida for many years, and died there in 2002.

Aroldis Chapman

Albertín Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz (Spanish: [aˈɾoldis ˈtʃapman]; born February 28, 1988) is a Cuban-born American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs and in the Cuban National Series for Holguín. Chapman bats and throws left-handed, and is nicknamed the Cuban Missile or the Cuban Flame Thrower.
Chapman pitched for Holguín domestically and internationally for the Cuban national baseball team. He defected from Cuba in 2009 and signed a contract with the Reds in 2010. Chapman made his MLB debut that season. He won the MLB Delivery Man of the Month Award as the best relief pitcher for July 2012, and has been named to four straight National League All-Star teams from 2012 to 2015. The Reds traded Chapman to the Yankees after the 2015 season, and the Yankees traded Chapman to the Cubs during the 2016 season. With the Cubs, Chapman won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. He signed with the Yankees after the 2016 season.
On July 11, 2014, Chapman broke the record, previously held by Bruce Sutter, for the most consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout, having struck out at least one batter in 40 consecutive appearances. Chapman's streak began on August 21, 2013, and lasted 49 consecutive games over two seasons, with the 49th and final game being on August 13, 2014. He shares (with Jordan Hicks) the record for the fastest recorded pitch speed in MLB history, at 105.1 miles per hour (169.1 km/h), as well as the Guinness World Record for fastest baseball pitch.Prior to the start of the 2016 season, Chapman became the first player to be suspended under MLB's domestic violence policy. Although not charged with a crime, he was suspended for 30 games as a result of "Chapman's use of the firearm and its effect on his partner".

Countermoon

Craig Kimbrel

Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox. He is a seven-time All-Star, two-time Reliever of the Year, and a 2018 World Series champion. He is known for his triple-digit fastball, as well as his unique pre-pitch stare. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 210 pounds (95 kg), he both throws and bats right-handed. As a rookie with the Braves in 2011, Kimbrel was named their closer, and set an MLB record for saves by a rookie, with 46. He was awarded the National League's (NL) 2011 Rookie of the Year Award. He led the NL in saves for four consecutive seasons, from 2011 through 2014. He recorded his 200th save in June 2015 with the Padres, and his 300th save in May 2018 with the Red Sox, making him youngest pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone.

JoeVatalaro

Sparky Lyle

Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle (born July 22, 1944) is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1967 through 1982. He was a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox.
A three-time All-Star, he won the American League (AL) Cy Young Award in 1977. He led the American League (AL) in saves in 1972 and 1976. With the Yankees, Lyle was a member of the World Series champions in 1977 and 1978, both over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lyle co-authored, with Peter Golenbock, The Bronx Zoo, a 1979 tell-all book which chronicled the dissension within the Yankees in its World Series Championship seasons of 1977 and 1978. From 1998–2012, Lyle served as manager of the Somerset Patriots, a minor league baseball team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Dan Quisenberry

Daniel Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry (; February 7, 1953 – September 30, 1998) was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals. Notable for his submarine-style pitching delivery and his humorous quotes, he led the American League in saves a record five times (1980, 1982–85), and retired in 1990 with 244 saves, then the 6th-highest total in major league history.
Dan Quisenberry has the lowest ratio of base on balls per innings pitched for any pitcher to pitch in the major leagues since the 1920s, and the lowest ratio for any pitcher to pitch since the 1800s except for Deacon Phillippe and Babe Adams.

Éric Gagné

Éric Serge Gagné (French pronunciation: ​[ɡɑɲe]) (born January 7, 1976) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and current professional baseball coach in the Texas Rangers organization. After signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball as a free agent in 1995, Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher. After he struggled in that role, the Dodgers converted Gagné from a starter to a reliever, where for three years (2002–2004) he was statistically the most outstanding closer in the game, winning the Cy Young Award in 2003. During that period, he set a major league record by converting 84 consecutive save opportunities. The phrase "Game Over" was heavily used by the Dodgers and the media in connection with his appearances to finish close games.
Gagné played sparingly in 2005 and 2006 due to injury, undergoing elbow surgery in 2005 and back surgery in 2006. The Dodgers did not re-sign him after 2006, and Gagné started the 2007 season with the Texas Rangers, where he briefly enjoyed success again as a closer. However, he was less successful in stints with the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, and was finally released after the 2008 season.
In December 2007, days after signing a contract for 2008 with the Milwaukee Brewers, he was linked to baseball's steroids scandal after he was named in the Mitchell Report.

C_Moorehead

Dave Righetti

David Allan Righetti (born November 28, 1958) is an American professional baseball coach and former player. A left-handed pitcher, Righetti played in Major League Baseball from 1979 through 1995 for the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox. He served as the pitching coach for the Giants from 2000-2017. His nickname is "Rags".
Righetti began his career as a starting pitcher, but the Yankees converted him into a relief pitcher, using him as their closer, in 1984. He won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award in 1981. As a starter, he threw a no-hitter on July 4, 1983. As a closer, he was twice named the AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year and pitched in two MLB All-Star Games. He was the first player in history to both pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career. Dennis Eckersley later duplicated the feat, as did Derek Lowe.

Joe Nathan

Joseph Michael Nathan (born November 22, 1974) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs.  Nathan started out his baseball career as a shortstop in high school and at Stony Brook University, but converted to a pitcher after being drafted by the Giants. He worked his way through the minor leagues, alternating between spots in the rotation and the bullpen. After a few years of splitting time between the major leagues and minor leagues, Nathan had a breakout season as a setup man for the Giants in 2003. That offseason, Nathan was traded to the Twins and became their closer.
From 2004 to 2009, Nathan was considered one of the top closers in the major leagues, with four All-Star selections and a league-leading 246 saves. In 2010, Nathan underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow and missed the entire season. Nathan regained the role as closer in July 2011. On August 10, 2011, he became the Twins all-time leader in saves with his 255th in a game against the Boston Red Sox. After the 2011 season, Nathan left the Twins via free agency to sign with the Rangers, becoming an All-Star again in 2012 and 2013. On April 8, 2013, he earned his 300th save. After the 2013 season, Nathan left the Rangers via free agency to sign with the Tigers. Nathan retired during the 2017 season and is currently eighth on the all-time saves list. Nathan currently has the highest save percentage in MLB history amongst pitchers with at least 250 saves.

John Franco

John Anthony Franco (born September 17, 1960) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career spanning 1984–2005, he pitched for three different National League teams, the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and Houston Astros. His 1,119 career games pitched is a National League record, and ranks fourth in major league history. His 424 career saves ranks fifth all-time in major league history (ranking second when he retired), and remains the most by a left-hander. For 15 of his 22 seasons, he played for the New York Mets, serving as team captain in his final years with the team.

Tug McGraw

Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw, Jr. (August 30, 1944 – January 5, 2004) was an American professional baseball relief pitcher and the father of country music singer and actor Tim McGraw. As a Major League Baseball (MLB) player, Tug McGraw is often remembered for coining the phrase, "Ya Gotta Believe", which became a popular rallying cry for the New York Mets teams of the mid-60s and early 70s, and for recording the final out, via a strikeout of the Kansas City Royals' Willie Wilson, in the 1980 World Series, thereby bringing the Philadelphia Phillies their first world championship. He was the last active big league player to have played under legendary manager Casey Stengel.

Jeff Reardon

Jeffrey James Reardon (born October 1, 1955) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1979–1994 for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Yankees. Reardon was nicknamed "The Terminator" for his intimidating presence on the mound and 98 mph fastball.
A long-time closer, Reardon became MLB's all-time saves leader in 1992 with his 342nd save, breaking Rollie Fingers' previous record of 341. Reardon's record was broken the following season by Lee Smith. Reardon currently ranks 10th on the all-time saves list with 367.

Francisco Rodríguez

Francisco José Rodríguez, Sr. (born January 7, 1982), nicknamed "Frankie" and "K-Rod", is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers.
Rodriguez pitched for the Angels from 2002 to 2008, and the Mets from 2009 to midway through the 2011 season. He served as the closer for both teams. Rodriguez then pitched for the  Brewers until July 2013, mostly in a setup role, and for the Orioles for the rest of 2013 before returning to the Brewers for 2014 and 2015, this time as the team's closer. He was then traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2016, and became the Tigers' closer.
Rodríguez holds the major league record for saves in a single season, with 62, set in 2008 while pitching for the Angels. He is a three-time league leader in saves (2005, 2006, and 2008) and a six-time All-Star. Rodríguez is one of only six Major League pitchers to accumulate a total of 400 or more saves, in his baseball career.

John Wetteland

John Karl Wetteland (born August 21, 1966) is a retired American baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (1989–2000). He pitched for four teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. A relief pitcher, Wetteland specialized as a closer, recording 330 saves during his career. With the Yankees, he won the 1996 World Series and won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award for saving four games in the series. After his playing career, he served as a coach for the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners.
In 2019, Wetteland was arrested and indicted on charges of sexually abusing a child  under the age of 14.

Kent Tekulve

Kenton Charles "Teke" Tekulve (born March 5, 1947), is an American former professional baseball right-handed relief pitcher, who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. Pitching with an unusual submarine delivery, Tekulve was known as a workhorse relief pitcher who holds several records for number of games pitched and innings pitched.

Jesse Orosco

Jesse Russell Orosco (born April 21, 1957) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who holds the major league record for career pitching appearances, having pitched in 1,252 games. He pitched most notably for the New York Mets in the 1980s and made the NL All-Star team in 1983 and 1984. He won a World Series in 1986 with the Mets and in 1988 with the Dodgers. He threw left-handed, but batted right-handed. He retired in 2003 after having been with the Mets, Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and Minnesota Twins. He retired when he was 46 years old, one of the oldest players to still be playing in the modern age. Orosco is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date to have appeared in Major League games in four decades.
Orosco's longevity was greatly aided by the increasing use of left-handed specialist relief pitchers from the 1990s onward; in his last several years, he was used almost exclusively in this role.

slaft

Roy Face

ElRoy Leon Face (born February 20, 1928) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. During a 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he pitched primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A pioneer of modern relief pitching, he was the archetype of what came to be known as the closer, and the National League's greatest reliever until the late 1960s, setting numerous league records during his career.
Face was the first major leaguer to save 20 games more than once, leading the league three times and finishing second three times; in 1959 he set the still-standing major league record for winning percentage (.947), and single-season wins in relief, with 18 wins against only one loss. He held the NL record for career games pitched (846) from 1967 until 1986, and the league record for career saves (193) from 1962 until 1982; he still holds the NL record for career wins in relief (96), and he held the league mark for career innings pitched in relief (1,211​1⁄3) until 1983. On his retirement, he ranked third in major league history in pitching appearances, behind only Hoyt Wilhelm and Cy Young, and second in saves behind Wilhelm. Nicknamed "The Baron", he holds the Pirates franchise records for career games (802) and saves (188).

Based on over 1.1K voters. The greatest relief pitchers of all time include some of the best current MLB players, as well as some legends who are already in ...