Top 10 Closers in MLB History

Baseball has seen its fair share of game-saving arms, but only a handful of closers etched their names into MLB legend. This list counts down the 10 greatest to ever take the mound in the ninth inning, delivering heat, breaking hearts, and racking up saves. Here’s who made the ultimate short list of shutdown kings.

10. Tom Henke — The Quiet Terminator

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Known for his steely calm and signature glasses, Henke racked up 311 saves with pinpoint control. He was never flashy, but he always got the job done, becoming one of the most trusted arms of the ’80s and early ’90s.

9. Dan Quisenberry — Submarine Specialist

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Quisenberry baffled hitters with his sidearm sinkers and soft-spoken style. He led the AL in saves five times, all without overpowering stuff — just brains, finesse, and pinpoint accuracy.

8. Jonathan Papelbon — Fire and Fury

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Papelbon’s electric fastball and intensity made him a fierce closer for the Red Sox and Phillies. He holds the all-time saves record for Boston and was nearly automatic in the postseason.

7. Rollie Fingers — The Original Mustachioed Closer

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Long before closers were mainstream, Fingers was redefining the role. He won both MVP and Cy Young in 1981 and added flair to dominance with his unforgettable mustache and wicked slider.

6. Billy Wagner — Left-Handed Lightning

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One of the most explosive lefties in history, Wagner threw 100 mph fastballs at hitters’ necks. He finished with 422 saves and a staggering strikeout rate few closers could dream of.

5. Bruce Sutter — Split-Finger Pioneer

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Sutter popularized the split-finger fastball and used it to dominate the late ’70s and ’80s. His 300 saves and Hall of Fame plaque speak to just how groundbreaking his style was.

4. Dennis Eckersley — Starter Turned Superstar Closer

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Eckersley reinvented himself into a dominant closer, notching 390 saves and a jaw-dropping 0.61 ERA in 1990. His transition from starter to reliever helped change bullpen roles forever.

3. Trevor Hoffman — The Changeup King

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Hoffman’s entrance to “Hells Bells” sent chills through ballparks, but his changeup did the real damage. He racked up 601 saves — the second most ever — and did it with cool precision.

2. Goose Gossage — Power and Intimidation

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Gossage brought raw power and a wild intensity to the mound. He threw multiple innings at a time, often against the toughest hitters, making him one of the fiercest closers of all time.

1. Mariano Rivera — The Unquestioned GOAT

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Rivera’s cut fastball broke more bats than hearts, and that is saying something. He retired with 652 saves, a career ERA of 2.21, and a postseason ERA of 0.70. No one was more automatic in the clutch.

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