I would rank them in this order:

Rivera

Eck

Hoffman

Wilhelm

NOTE ON RIVERA

 

World Series totals: 9 svs; 1.16 ERA

Postseason totals: 30 svs; .75 ERA

Rollie Fingers

 

341 saves

 

2.90 ERA

Rollie Fingers

Rollie was definately a solid closer.

 

I excluded him from the list because his career ERA was 2.90, which is good, but the average ERA during his career was only 3.47. So in my mind he did not stand out enough in that regard.

 

Smith also had a high ERA but made the list because of his sick amount of saves, and Eck's ERA was inflated by his years as a starter.

No Billy Koch?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shingo Takatsu

 

In Japan of course!

He who has 70 or more consecutive saves is the greatest of all time. So, I voted OTHER.

 

It's Gagne, all the way.

Right now I gotta say Eck or Mo. Gagne has only been doing this a short while, and could still get figured out, or hurt or something. If he keeps it up he could be the best ever.

Gagne.

Gagne.

Agreed

Eck & Fingers are the best, along w/Hoffman.

 

The best Sox closer had to have been Thigpen.

Eck & Fingers are the best, along w/Hoffman.

 

The best Sox closer had to have been Thigpen.

AHHHH Bobby Pigpen ( Yes I spelled it that way on purpose ). He was awesome when he played with us.

I have to say this about Wilhelm. Saves weren't as easy to earn back in his day. I don't know if there was a rule change or not along the way, but the way pitchers were used held down save opportunities. It's a different world for closers today.

I voted "other", with my other being Bruce Sutter.

Sutter was flat-out NASTY in his day, and that split-finger was just about unhittable.

 

Gagne is in the discussion for sure, but he needs to do it for a longer period of time to claim the top spot over Sutter or Eckersley.

Goose Gossage has to be part of this conversation too.

I think Eck and Larussa basically re-invented the closer role. Closers are 1 part pitcher, 1 part luck, 1 part attitude, and 1 part black magic. ALl mist be perfectly alligned. How many times have we seen 1 or 2 season ultimate closer types and then they fade quickly to oblivion?

Eck is the best I ever saw. He was absolutely dominating. (Except that one pitch against Kirk Gibson.)

Eck an Mo have put up numbers that are just mind-boggling. They were easily the two best closers of all time before Gagne came along.

 

And I usually take current players for granted when we're talking about "Best Ever" at their positions. I could only think of three guys that I'd say that about at the current time: Rodriguez, Bonds, and Gagne.

As of now it's Eckersely, but it will be Gagne by the time he is done.

As of now it's Eckersely, but it will be Gagne by the time he is done.

I'll still never forget when Kirk Gibson nailed one off of him in 1988. That was so awesome.

I am very surprised that Mariano has not recieved more love.

 

These are IMO, the two best seasons ever by a closer, both occurred in 1990.

 

Eck 1990: 48 svs; 0.61 ERA; 73.2 IP; .61 WHIP; 73 K.

Thigpen 1990: 57 svs; 1.83 ERA; 88.2 IP; 1.04 WHIP; 70 K.

 

Eck awarded for his dominance, Thigpen for his matching quality with endurance.

I am very surprised that Mariano has not recieved more love.

 

These are IMO, the two best seasons ever by a closer, both occurred in 1990.

 

Eck 1990: 48 svs; 0.61 ERA; 73.2 IP; .61 WHIP; 73 K.

Thigpen 1990: 57 svs; 1.83 ERA; 88.2 IP; 1.04 WHIP; 70 K.

 

Eck awarded for his dominance, Thigpen for his matching quality with endurance.

Gagne went a full season last year without a blown save. That is easily the best season ever for a closer. Easily.

FWIW, Eck's ERA from 1988 to 1997(his 10 full years as a closer) was roughly 2.40(I figured it to be exactly 200 ER in 750 IP)

Unfortanely its probaly Rivera....

Definitely Eckersley. That guy defined automatic. It's a shame he'll be forever known as the guy who gave up the game winning home run to Gibson.