The Top Five Career Save Leaders in Baseball

On Monday, New York Yankees closer, Mariano Rivera, became the career saves leaders when he earned no. 602 against the Minnesota Twins. This broke the tie he held with Trevor Hoffman and set a new standard for future closers. But who else ranks up there with Rivera and Hoffman?

These are the top five career saves leaders in baseball.

Mariano Rivera - 602 Saves

Rivera joined the New York Yankees in 1995 and began his career as a starting pitcher. Eventually he was moved to middle relief until he took over the closer role in 1997 when he earned 43 saves. Rivera became an absolute dominant force in the closer role, recording at least 40 saves or more on eight separate occasions. With 17 seasons and counting, Rivera has compiled a 75-57 record with a career ERA of 2.22 in 1209 innings of work. The best season Rivera had was in 2001 when he earned 53 saves for the Yankees while 1.94 Era in 78.2 innings.

Trevor Hoffman - 601 Saves

Hoffman entered the majors with the Florida Marlins but did not find his niche until he joined up with the San Diego Padres. Though it took a few seasons for Hoffman to grow comfortable with the closer role, he eventually took to it and became an All-Star. During the 18 seasons he spent in baseball, Hoffman was able to break the 40 save mark on nine different occasions. His best season was in 1998 when he recorded 53 saves with a 1.48 ERA in 70 innings of work.

Lee Smith - 478 Saves

If you are looking for the closer who set the benchmark for Rivera and Hoffman, then look no further than Smith. He began his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1980 but did not take over the closer role until a few years later. Smith took to the role that was still being defined during the 1980's. Smith's most impressive stretch occurred from 1991 to 1993 where he recorded 40 saves or more in each season. In 1991 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Smith has his best season when he recorded 47 saves with a 2.34 ERA in 73 innings of work.

John Franco - 424 Saves

Franco entered the majors a few years after Smith when he became part of the Cincinnati Reds organization. He took over the closer duties in 1986 and became a mainstay for the Reds and later the Mets. Even though he never had record breaking seasons, Franco was consistent over the 21 years he played in the majors. He had at least 30 or more saves in eight of the seasons. His best year came in 1988 with the Reds when he recorded 39 saves with an ERA 1.57 in 89 innings of work. As a result he even earned a few votes for the NL MVP award.

Bill Wagner - 422 Saves

When Wagner started his major league career in 1995 he began in middle relief until he took over the closer role the following year for the Houston Astros. Despite never leading the NL with saves, Wagner has always been more productive than most, averaging at least 30 saves in nine of the 16 seasons. His best season came in 2003 when he notched 44 saves with a 1.78 ERA in 86.0 innings of work.