This chart showcases the definitive ranking of Major League Baseball's all-time saves leaders. Mariano Rivera stands alone at the top with 652 saves, a record that highlights his unparalleled dominance as a closer. Following him are Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith, both of whom also surpassed the 600 and 470 save milestones, respectively, cementing their places in baseball history. The data provides a clear visual hierarchy of the most effective relief pitchers to ever play the game.
In baseball, a save is a statistic awarded to a relief pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed conditions. To earn a save, the pitcher must not be the winning pitcher and must meet one of three criteria: enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning, enter the game with the potential tying run on base, at bat, or on deck, or pitch for at least three effective innings.
Major League Baseball has seen numerous dominant pitchers, but the role of the closer is a specialized craft mastered by only a select few. The all-time saves list is a testament to the longevity, consistency, and mental fortitude required to perform under pressure in the most critical moments of a game. The names on this list represent the elite tier of relief pitchers who defined the closer position over several decades.
The Evolution of the Closer
Historically, the concept of a dedicated closer who pitches only the final inning is a relatively modern development. In the early and mid-20th century, teams relied on their best starting pitchers to finish games. However, as the game evolved, managers recognized the strategic advantage of having a specialized relief pitcher to secure wins. Figures like Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage were pioneers in this role during the 1970s and 80s, often pitching multiple innings to earn a save. This trend shifted towards the one-inning closer model that has dominated from the 1990s to the present day, a strategy that allowed pitchers to maximize their effectiveness in short, high-leverage bursts.
A League of Their Own
The gap between the top players and the rest of the field is significant. Mariano Rivera's record of 652 saves is often considered one of baseball's unbreakable records, a product of his incredible consistency and the longevity of his career with the New York Yankees. Similarly, Trevor Hoffman's 601 saves underscore a career built on sustained excellence. These figures are not just numbers; they represent hundreds of games where these pitchers were the final, unbreachable line of defense for their teams. The concentration of active players like Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel in the top tier indicates that while the role continues to evolve, the opportunity to join this elite company remains.
What the Numbers Represent
A high save total is indicative of several factors. First, it reflects a pitcher's individual skill—the ability to miss bats, induce weak contact, and remain composed with the game on the line. Second, it speaks to the success of the teams they played for; a pitcher cannot accumulate saves without being on a winning team that consistently creates save opportunities. Therefore, this ranking also indirectly reflects the eras of dominance for franchises like the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves, who relied heavily on their star closers to maintain their competitive edge. The list serves as a historical map of baseball's most reliable and clutch performers.
MLB All-Time Saves Leaders
This chart showcases the definitive ranking of Major League Baseball's all-time saves leaders.
Key Takeaways
The Untouchable Apex
- Mariano Rivera's 652 saves place him in a class of his own, significantly ahead of all other pitchers.
- The top two pitchers, Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, are the only players in history to surpass 600 career saves.
- This highlights a level of dominance and longevity that is unlikely to be repeated in the modern era.
Eras of Dominance
- The list is populated by closers who defined different eras of baseball, from the multi-inning relievers of the 70s and 80s to the one-inning specialists of today.
- Pioneers like Lee Smith, Dennis Eckersley, and Rollie Fingers established the blueprint for the modern closer.
- Active players such as Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel demonstrate the continued importance of the role in contemporary baseball strategy.
Top Ranking
#1 Mariano Rivera: 652
Known as the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera played his entire 19-year career for the New York Yankees. His signature pitch, a cut fastball, was legendary for its nearly unhittable movement, breaking countless bats and baffling hitters. Rivera was a 13-time All-Star and a five-time World Series champion, and his postseason performance was even more remarkable, posting a 0.70 ERA and 42 saves. His record of 652 saves is a benchmark of sustained excellence and clutch performance that is considered one of the most unbreakable records in sports. He was the first player to be unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
#2 Trevor Hoffman: 601
Trevor Hoffman was the first pitcher to reach the 500 and 600-save milestones, holding the all-time record before Rivera surpassed him. Known for his deceptive changeup, Hoffman was a model of consistency for 18 seasons, primarily with the San Diego Padres. He was a seven-time All-Star and twice the runner-up for the Cy Young Award. Hoffman's entrance to home games, accompanied by the song "Hells Bells," became an iconic and intimidating part of his persona. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, a testament to his long-standing dominance.
#3 Lee Smith: 478
Before Hoffman and Rivera, Lee Smith was the standard-bearer for closers, holding the all-time saves record from 1993 to 2006. A physically imposing figure on the mound, Smith relied on a powerful fastball to intimidate hitters for 18 seasons with eight different teams. He was a seven-time All-Star and led the league in saves four times. Smith's career bridged the gap between the multi-inning firemen of the 1970s and the one-inning specialists who followed, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of the closer role. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
#4 Kenley Jansen: 447
As one of the most dominant closers of his generation, Kenley Jansen has built a career on his devastating cutter. Originally a catcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers' system, he converted to pitching and quickly became an elite reliever. Jansen has been a four-time All-Star and won a World Series with the Dodgers in 2020 and another with the Boston Red Sox in 2024. His high strikeout rates and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have kept him among the league's best for over a decade, and he continues to climb the all-time saves list as an active player.
#5 Craig Kimbrel: 440
With his distinctive, intimidating pre-pitch stance, Craig Kimbrel burst onto the scene and quickly established himself as one of the most overpowering closers in the game. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2011 and went on to lead the National League in saves for four consecutive seasons with the Atlanta Braves. A nine-time All-Star and a World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, Kimbrel's high-velocity fastball and sharp breaking ball have made him one of the premier strikeout artists among relievers. As an active player, he continues to be a sought-after closer.
| Rank | Name | Indicator | Subindicator |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 652 | 1,115 Games | |
2 | 601 | 1,035 Games | |
3 | 478 | 1,022 Games | |
4 | 447 | 871 Games | |
5 | 440 | 837 Games | |
6 | 437 | 948 Games | |
7 | 424 | 1,119 Games | |
8 | 422 | 853 Games | |
9 | 390 | 1,071 Games | |
10 | 377 | 787 Games | |
11 | 368 | 689 Games | |
12 | 367 | 880 Games | |
13 | 358 | 703 Games | |
14 | 347 | 728 Games | |
15 | 341 | 944 Games | |
16 | 335 | 796 Games | |
17 | 330 | 618 Games | |
18 | 329 | 800 Games | |
19 | 327 | 951 Games | |
20 | 326 | 1,010 Games |
