Baseball’s 10 Greatest Relief Pitchers, Ranked

Last Updated: October 16th, 2026 by Matthew Brown

The bullpen has become increasingly important in the game of baseball. Gone are the days when starting pitchers were basically expected to complete every game they started. Now it's almost commonplace to see bullpen games every few days from every single team in the league.

Let's take a look at the greatest relievers who, even though they specialized in the late innings, helped to accelerate this trend.

10. Joe Nathan: The Late Bloomer

I feel like Joe Nathan looked like the most unassuming closer in history. I didn't really know he was one for a while until he just started dominating the ninth inning. His longevity is what's remarkable here.

He basically had two peaks: he did a great job with the Twins and Rangers, but we can't remember his renaissance as a closer for the Tigers.

Joe Nathan — Career	Total
W	64
L	34
ERA	2.87
G	787
IP	923.1
SO	976
WHIP	1.12
SV	377
All-Star selections	6

9. John Franco: The Lefty Legend

Left-handed closers were sort of an anomaly because of how important they became in coming in for just one batter who wasn't in the ninth inning. Remember when that would happen? Can't anymore with the three-batter/inning-ending minimum.

Anyway, John Franco was an innovator of the position simply for being left-handed and a darn good closer.

John Franco — Career	Total
W	90
L	87
ERA	2.89
G	1119
IP	1245.2
SO	975
WHIP	1.33
SV	424
All-Star selections	4

8. Rollie Fingers: The Original Closer

I know there are many relievers who were getting saves for their respective teams before this man came along, but Rollie Fingers is still considered the grandfather of this role. He led the A's dynasty to their three straight World Series titles and did it while sporting the sweetest-looking mustache in all of baseball.

I love that he has still worn it well after retirement, as it is one of the most signature looks a pitcher has ever had.

Rollie Fingers — Career	Total
W	114
L	118
ERA	2.91
G	944
IP	1701.1
SO	1299
WHIP	1.16
SV	341
MVP	1
Cy Young	1
All-Star selections	7
World Series titles	3

7. Bruce Sutter: The Split-Finger Pioneer

Bruce Sutter was almost mesmerizing as a closer. He didn't have the fastest fastball, but he had a very effective one as it set up his devastating splitter. He won the 1979 Cy Young, proving that the closer role was here to stay.

You could say he helped the beginnings of the closer revolution, which is part of the reason why he's enshrined in Cooperstown.

Bruce Sutter — Career	Total
W	68
L	71
ERA	2.83
G	661
IP	1042.0
SO	861
WHIP	1.14
SV	300
Cy Young	1
All-Star selections	6
World Series titles	1

6. Lee Smith: The Consistent Closer

Big Lee Smith brought a presence to the mound that made any opposing team scared to face him in the ninth inning. His hard fastball just whizzed by batters as he cruised his way to the all-time saves record for his time at 478.

That wouldn't be broken until the likes of other guys on this list came around.

Lee Smith — Career	Total
W	71
L	92
ERA	3.03
G	1022
IP	1289.1
SO	1251
WHIP	1.26
SV	478
All-Star selections	7

5. Billy Wagner: The Dominant Lefty

A left-handed closer is so unique and so valuable. Billy Wagner allowed managers to use their bullpens differently, not being afraid to have a right-hander come into the eighth inning because it wasn't going to be another one after that.

Wagner sure made it uncomfortable for righties and lefties at the plate as he blazed his fastball high and hard.

Billy Wagner — Career	Total
W	47
L	40
ERA	2.31
G	853
IP	903.0
SO	1196
WHIP	1.00
SV	422

4. Goose Gossage: The Intimidator

I think Goose Gossage innovated an aspect of the position that would be part of the closer role in the future. He brought a look. A menacing look.

With that mustache and those piercing eyes, Gossage won the at-bat before he threw a pitch.

That's what led him to 310 career saves and 1,502 strikeouts.

Rich Gossage — Career	Total
W	124
L	107
ERA	3.01
G	1002
IP	1809.1
SO	1502
WHIP	1.23
SV	310
All-Star selections	9
World Series titles	1

3. Dennis Eckersley: The Role Revolutionist

I really admire Dennis Eckersley. He was really the first All-Star starting pitcher to notice that a transformation was necessary to add more depth to his career. I don't think he had overpowering stuff or pitches that dropped below the bat path.

He threw what would probably now be called a sweeper that moved as no other slider or curveball did back in his day.

Dennis Eckersley — Career	Total
W	197
L	171
ERA	3.50
G	1071
IP	3285.2
SO	2401
WHIP	1.16
SV	390
MVP	1
Cy Young	1
All-Star selections	6
World Series titles	1

2. Trevor Hoffman: Master of the Changeup

When so many relievers were trying to blow it by hitters during his era, Trevor Hoffman brought excitement to his outings by pulling the string like no other. His changeup led him to be the first closer ever to hit 600 career saves.

Instead of "falling off a table", Hoffman made it look like it was falling off a cliff. It was just a sight to see hitters whiff over and over again.

Trevor Hoffman — Career	Total
W	61
L	75
ERA	2.87
G	1034
IP	1089.1
SO	1133
WHIP	1.06
SV	601
All-Star selections	7

1. Mariano Rivera: The Greatest Closer of All Time

There is no other pitcher in history who embodies the role of closer quite like Mariano. When "Enter Sandman" started playing, you knew this game was over. He was an icon, so much so that he was the first unanimously voted Hall of Famer.

The crazy thing is, and I know it's said over and over again, that he basically did it all with just one pitch. The cutter.

Mariano Rivera — Career	Total
W	82
L	60
ERA	2.21
G	1115
IP	1283.2
SO	1173
WHIP	1.00
SV	652
All-Star selections	13
World Series titles	5

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