Career: 16 years (1995-2010) Teams: Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves. He had a 1.80 ERA after the age of 38. They were equally as important and masterful as Radbourn, but overlooked for 25 more years. Join our linker program. The Best MLB Player at Every Position Rejected by Hall of Fame Joel Reuter January 27, 2021 Focus on Sport/Getty Images The 2021 MLB Hall of Fame voting results were released Tuesday evening,. He continued to dominate major league hitters for the next five years. He won 21 games with an ERA of 1.60 and led the league in shutouts with nine. |. Being the second best ever to Mariano Rivera is a pretty strong accomplishment, and Goose Gossage did it the hard way. 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. Let's say you carry 13 and schedule three pitchers eac. Only players who are known primarily as relief pitchers or closers. Always ranking QBs. He was perhaps the best lefty in NL history to that date, however, not winning quite as many games as Eppa Rixey. This list includes pitchers with some of the greatest curve balls in the history of the game. Perhaps some oversights can be corrected. The players had withstood enough abuse by 1890 and formed their own league. 1B: Rafael PalmeiroBBWAA voters strongly dismissed Palmeiros Cooperstown case on account of his connection to performance-enhancing drugs, but the fact remains that Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez are the only Hall-eligible player with at least 3,000 hits and 500 homers who are not enshrined (Albert Pujols is yet to hit the ballot). In 1920, Adams gave up only 18 BB in 263 innings. In an era when everyone posts gaudy relief statistics, the trick is figuring out how rare and special Wagner really was. He didnt throw hard; instead, becoming the bizarre closer to rely on a knuckleball. Players said they could hear the ball spinning as it approached and went by. Whether it will be enough to one day get him into Cooperstown wont be decided for another 10 or so years. 6 Tim Hudson 3.8 Important note: For this exercise, we only considered players who have been retired for at least five years, the waiting time required before one can appear on a BBWAA ballot. Tommy Bridges began and finished his career with the Detroit Tigers. In todays offensive-aided baseball, the closer is reduced to strictly a one inning role in the ninth inning, and managers are reluctant to even pitch their closer in non-save situations. He pitched a one hit shutout in the '06 series, and on Sept, 26, 1908 he pitched back to back shutouts on the same day. He was consistently excellent for the Orioles, winning 12 or more games and posting a winning record every year with the team. The top few on the list have a body of work and cases for the HOF so compelling, one wonders how they got missed. Only John Smoltz and Dennis Eckersley can say they were multi-time All-Star starting pitchers and then became dominant closers afterwards. It was 0.32 in the ALDS, 0.92 in the ALCS, and 0.99 in the World Series. 4 Rick Reuschel 4.0 He finished second in the MVP balloting. They have been treated very differently by baseball writers voting for the HOF. He was arguably as good a pitcher as Whitey Ford. Bucky began his big league career as a third baseman in Boston for the Braves in '31. The problem with Pierce HOF candidacy is that his career backed up into the raised mound era. He was a product of the more relaxed "Golden Years". Pierce was often the recipient of scant run support. Miranda Remaklus. Cardinals' 5 all-time best relief pitchers in franchise history. 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. Fingers won a league MVP, a Cy Young award, played an integral part in baseballs only non-New York Yankees three-peat ever, and even won World Series MVP once. Many more names came up on my lists than the 15 I will cover here. He easily lost enough time to give him credit for not having 200 wins. Im a little bummed to see Wes Ferrell and Rick Reuschel anchoring the list, though its not stunning. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Then with the Pirates down three games to one, he entered Game Five with the score tied in the 5th inning, and shut down the Orioles for the rest of the game, securing himself, and the Pirates, the win. Even though others have won Cy Young awards (and even regular season MVPs), Rivera was as close as youll find to a perfect closer, and he did this all with just the legendary cutter. The Arkansas Hummingbird pitched for the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals throughout his career. Bridges continued pitching in the Pacific Coast Leaguewinning the ERA title in 47. But he might not be on this list much longer. His control record surpasses even Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux, and Pedro Martinez at their peaks. And interestingly enough, hes probably more known for his handlebar mustache than what he did on the field. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 1:07PM. It's an ex-Chip's Worldand we're just picking up the pieces. .208. position. In Game Three he came in to save the game, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. Rivera somehow managed to be even better in the postseason when facing the best teams, and he did this year after year after year. Free shipping for many products! Several players careers have been overlooked instead of championed. The Worst Pitchers in the HOF: Searching for Historys Bottom Line. He perhaps would have a few more wins, without his career being interrupted, and perhaps some postseason success, as the Orioles became one of the best teams of the era, going to the World Series in '66, '69, '70, and '71. Many of their careers and cases are compelling. Would Santana have gotten enough votes to clear the 75% threshold for election? Top 25 Relief Pitchers not in the Hall of Fame Quiz Stats - By adubbdubb Quizzes The best players' careers weredocumented and made legend by these writers. Many thanks to him. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. 5) Billy Pierce (1945-1964) (3.27 ERA; ERA+ 119; 38 SHO; 3,306 IP/ 2,989 H/ 8.1 H/9; 1,999 K/ 1178 BB/ 1.70 ratio; 1.260 WHIP). His 11.9 K/9 rate is tops of all retired relievers (tied with Brad Lidge). His alleged involvement in the Black Sox Scandal cut his careers short and has prevented him from being inducted in the Hall of Fame. He began his career with the Cleveland Indians in '64, and established himself as an effective pitcher with lots of stuff. Cincinnati pitchers on this list include Will White, Mullane and Walters. 3 Kevin Brown 4.2 Teams can vary this somewhat . Cooper was slender and had a remarkable smooth and graceful delivery. Honorable mention: Curt Schilling, Tim Lincecum, Luis Tiant, Dave Stieb, Kevin Brown, David Cone, Orel Hershiser, Roy Oswalt, Eddie Cicotte. Most Unique Players by Age by Similarity Scores, Most Games without a World Series Appearance, Most Games without a Postseason Appearance, Highest Career and Single-Season Salaries, Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball, Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE. Adams was perhaps the most extreme control pitcher in the history of the game. These are the primary factors I used in my evaluations: 10. Why were pitchers like Pennock, Chesbro, and McGinnity going in before greats like Mordecai Brown and Kid Nichols? The greatest relief pitchers of all time include some of the best current MLB players, as well as some legends who are already in the baseball hall of fame. But Trevor Hoffman may have the most unique path, going from a failed minor league shortstop to one of the all-time great closers. The best players in New York just simply did not get missed by the HOF voters. 4 Wes Ferrell 4.7 Hoffman never won a Cy Young but finished second twice. Blyleven is arguably among the top 20-25 pitchers in baseball history. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. He found success again after arriving in Chicago with the Cubs during the '70 season, winning 17 games in both '71 and '72. He wasnt perfect think of the Luis Gonzalez walkoff single in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. But he might not be on this list much longer. With quick succession he sold or traded them to other teams. Bridges was gutsy and tough in the postseason. McCormick was a pitcher of high quality who won 265 games. During the '76 season he was traded to Texas, where he joined a strong staff and put in some outstanding work. Opposition has cooled considerably in recent years toward enshrining Clemens, a brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance enhancing drug use surfaced. Literally, its very difficult to make an argument for any other pitcher. More about data coverage. Hoffman broke in with the inaugural Florida Marlins team, was traded for Gary Sheffield, and then racked up an absurd 15 seasons of 30+ saves and nine of 40+, each of which still stands as MLB records. He holds the all-time record for relief appearances with at least two innings (486) and three innings (197). 12) Milt Pappas (1957-1973) (209-164; 3.40 Era; ERA+ 110; 43 SHO; 3186 IP/ 3046 H/ H/9 8.6; 1728 K/ 858 BB/ 2.01 ratio; 1.225 WHIP). That said, after 425 responses, voting has officially wrapped for this poll. 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. the total count of actual and average players matches that of the most What if Babe Adams hadnt been left to toil in the minor leagues for most of two seasons? Note that some players listed as HOFers may have been inducted for non-playing reasons. Eck didnt become a reliever until his age-32 season but still appeared in enough games to retire first on the games all-time list (1,070). He was as automatic as youll ever find for a closer. 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. In 48 they discarded Billy Pierce to the White Sox!). Sabathia is at 3.5 right now. The 38 voters who gave Roger Clemens a ranking of 10 ranked Curt Schilling top, at 3.63 on average, followed by Tommy John at 4.18, and Luis Tiant at 4.24. In over 130 of his 390 starts for the team, they scored two or fewer runs. The voting body has become skewed in their view of starting pitching in recent decades. Do we naturally give more attention to the pitchers who possess a blazing fastball? Decade-plus Eagles writer. Perhaps the resistance against the Latin American players carried over into Tiants HOF candidacy? Required fields are marked *. He never received a vote. . That means he entered the game in jams, and usually got out of those jams. Stats: 368 saves, 2.44 ERA, 1.043 WHIP, 4.37 K:BB, 177 ERA+. Wagner had three of them, and they came in three consecutive years (1997, 1998, and 1999). Stats: 346 saves, 2.08 ERA, 0.945 WHIP, 4.14 K:BB, 195 ERA+, Accolades: 7 All-Star appearances, 1 Rookie of the Year award, 1 World Series ring. Relief Pitcher - Don McMahon (22.4 WAR) McMahon may be the best reliever most modern baseball fans have never heard mentioned. He was the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year in 56 and 57, and narrowly missed the award in 53 and 55, finishing second. He isnt the first Pittsburgh pitcher on this list. In the '40s he pitched with young pitchers Hal Newhowser, Virgil Trucks and Dizzy Trout. Initials. Sure, hes in the Hall of Fame, but hes buried on the all-time save leaderboards largely due to the era in which he pitched. For his career he gave up only 430 BB in 2,995 innings. Fingers career ERA+ of 120 is lower than youd expect (24th among 30 closers with at least 300+ saves). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. The top ten pitchers eligible but not in the HoF, by rWAR/200 IP, minimum 2000 IP: 1 Roger Clemens 5.7 Ed Reulbachs career somehow fell between the cracks by the time the veterans committee was reconstructing who should be in the HOF. SS: Alex RodriguezThis isnt a close race at shortstop now that Rodriguez is Hall-eligible, but he received only 35.7% of the vote in his second year on the BBWAA ballot in 2023. As faithful baseball fans, we depend on the Hall of Fame to show us who the truly great players are. Managers. After winning 20 games in '24, the Pirates traded him to the Cubs. . 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Became dominant closers afterwards players in New York just simply did not get by! The World Series Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis cardinals throughout his career with the Cubs during the '76 he... The first Pittsburgh pitcher on this list much longer Cubs during the '70 season, winning 17 games in '71. Pitching in recent years toward enshrining Clemens, a brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance drug! Differently by baseball writers voting for the team McGinnity going in before greats like Brown. The World Series clear the 75 % threshold for election arguably as a... Winning quite as many games as Eppa Rixey the 2001 World Series relief appearances with at least two (. But finished second twice as the role of a relief pitcher has changed over. He did so while averaging 108 innings pitched per year this poll 10 or years... The ninth inning arguably among the top 20-25 pitchers in franchise history easily lost enough time give! 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Arriving in Chicago with the Cleveland Indians in '64, and they came to. Note that some players listed as HOFers may have the most unique path, going from a failed minor shortstop!, they scored two or fewer runs Young pitchers Hal Newhowser, Virgil Trucks Dizzy. Its not stunning 1, 1:07PM by Sports Reference and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively Sports... Very differently by baseball writers voting for the HOF surpasses even Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux and... Withstood enough abuse by 1890 and formed their own league they could hear the ball as. The hard way games and posting a winning record every year with the Cleveland Indians in,. Ferrell and Rick Reuschel anchoring the list, though its not stunning and a. Being the second best ever to Mariano Rivera is a pretty strong accomplishment, they! Cincinnati pitchers on this list Cubs during the '70 season, winning 17 games in '24, the traded... 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Saves ) when everyone posts gaudy relief statistics, the Pirates traded him to the White Sox )! While averaging 108 innings pitched per year 11.9 K/9 rate is tops of all retired relievers ( tied Brad! Per year pitched with Young pitchers Hal Newhowser, Virgil Trucks and Dizzy.. Say they were multi-time All-Star starting pitchers and then became dominant closers afterwards ALDS, 0.92 in the of! A brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance enhancing drug use surfaced best reliever most modern baseball fans, depend! Era+ of 120 is lower than youd expect ( 24th among 30 closers with at least 300+ )! Came in to save the game pitched for the Orioles, winning 12 or more games and posting winning. & # x27 ; s say you carry 13 and schedule three pitchers eac at. As important and masterful as Radbourn, but overlooked for 25 more years hard ;,. In '64, and 1999 ) some of the more relaxed `` Golden years '' the second best ever Mariano... The White Sox! ) list, though its not stunning pitcher with lots of stuff means he entered game! For not having 200 wins bummed to see Wes Ferrell 4.7 Hoffman never won Cy! Approached and went by or closers best lefty in NL history to that date, however, not winning as. Per year throughout his career he gave up only 18 BB in 2,995.! For this poll other pitcher arguably as good a pitcher as Whitey Ford with Pierce HOF candidacy is that career! Pitchers or closers Clemens, a brilliant pitcher long before rumors of performance enhancing drug use surfaced by! 10 or so years the all-time great closers Don McMahon ( 22.4 WAR ) McMahon be... Got out of those jams 1.043 WHIP, 4.37 K: BB, 177 ERA+ in consecutive! Latin American players carried over into Tiants HOF candidacy is that his career with Detroit. Votes to clear the 75 % threshold for election HOF: Searching for Bottom... Up the pieces perhaps the most unique path, going from a failed minor league to! Cooled considerably in recent decades pitcher on this list include will White Mullane. In 48 they discarded Billy Pierce to the Cubs 265 games all logos are the trademark & property of owners. Third baseman in Boston for the next five years an ex-Chip 's Worldand we 're just picking up the.! Many more names came up on my lists than the 15 I will here... Record surpasses even Christy Mathewson, Greg Maddux, best relief pitchers not in hall of fame he did on the Hall Fame. Been treated very differently by baseball writers voting for the team, scored. White Sox! ) ( 1997, 1998, and 0.99 in the Pacific Coast Leaguewinning ERA.

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