Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike D.
Does anyone have a good source for highest single season WAR for a reliever? I'm curious how Eck's 1992 compared to others in the modern relief era (say, post '86). Obviously, the high IP "firemen" of the late 70' and early 80's had higher WAR seasons, but in the "closers throw one inning" era, is 2.9 especially good?
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A few top WAR seasons for relievers in the last 50 years. Not sure exactly which were closers throwing one inning years....
Goose Gossage 8.2 in 1975, 6.0 in 1977, 4.5 in 1982, 3.5 in 1983, 3.4 in 1980, 3.2 in 1978
Mark Eichorn 7.6 in 1986
Bruce Sutter 6.5 in 1977, 4.9 in 1979, 4.5 in 1984
Dan Quisenberry 5.5 in 1983, 4.2 in 1985, 3.3 in 1982 and 1984
Greg Minton 5.4 in 1982
Mariano Rivera 5.0 in 1996, 4.3 in 2008, 4.2 in 2004, 4.0 in 2005, 3.9 in 2006, 3.7 in 1997, 3.6 in both 2003 and 2009, 3.5 in 1999, 3.4 in 2001
Willie Hernandez
4.8 in 1984 (MVP)
Lee Smith 4.8 in 1983, 3.2 in 1986
Jeff Montgomery 4.6 in 1989, 4.4 in 1993
Keith Foulke 4.5 in 1999, 3.7 in 2001, 3.5 in 2003 and 2004, 3.0 in 2000
Mark Davis 4.4 in 1989, 3.1 in 1988
Bill Caudill 4.4 in 1982
bob James 4.3 in 1985
Rollie Fingers
4.2 in 1981 (MVP), 3.8 in 1976
John Wetteland 4.2 in 1993
Trevor Hoffman 4.1 in 1998, 3.9 in 1996, 3.1 in 1997
Roberto Hernandez 4.1 in 1996
Tom Gordon 4.0 in 2004, 3.0 in 2005
Byung-Hyun Kim 4.0 in 2002, 3.1 in 2001
Mike Marshall 4.0 in 1972, 3.1 in 1974, 3.0 in 1973 and 1978
J.J. Putz 4.0 in 2007
Joe Nathan 3.9 in 2004, 3.3 in 2006 and 2008, 3.2 in 2013, 3.0 in 2009
Jose Mesa 3.9 in 1995
Billy Wagner 3.8 in 1999, and 3.5 in 1990
Dave Righetti 3.8 in 1986, 3.3 in 1984
Jesse Orosco 3.8 in 1983
Brad Lidge 3.8 in 2004
Francisco Rodriguez 3.7 in 2006, 3.3 in 2004
Eric Gagne 3.7 in 2003
Craig Kimbrel 3.6 in 2017, 3.2 in 2012, 3.1 in 2013
Jeff Shaw 3.6 in 1997, 3.3 in 1996
Jeff Brantley 3.6 in 1990
Jeff Reardon 3.5 in 1982
Bobby Thigpen 3.5 in 1990
Tom Henke 3.4 in 1989, 3.3 in 1987, 3.0 in 1990
Armando Benítez 3.4 in 2004, 3.3 in 1999
Robb Nen 3.4 in 1998
Dennis Eckersley 3.3 in 1990,
2.9 in 1992 (MVP)
John Smoltz 3.3 in 2003
Al Holland 3.3 in 1983
Heath Bell 3.3 in 2007
Doug Jones 3.2 in 1988, 3.0 1997
Todd Worrell 3.2 in 1987
Randy Myers 3.1 in 1990 and 1997
Edwin Diaz 3.1 in 2018
So Dennis Eckersly's 2.9 during his MVP season doesn't really standout--it wasn't even his best WAR as relief pitcher.
The highest Mariano ever finished in MVP was 9th (2004 and 2005) and he never won a Cy Young.