The World of Baseball

There have been a handful of pitchers who have excelled in the closer’s role in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. This closer is credited with earning a save in one inning. That would be Dennis Eckersley. He pitched for 24 seasons.

Dennis Eckersley began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1975. He started games for the first 12 seasons of his career. In that span, Eckersley won 150 games, including a 20 win season with the Red Sox in 1978. He pitched a no-hitter with the Indians in 1977. When Eckersley was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 1987, manager Tony LaRussa moved him to the bullpen.

Eckersley would make LaRussa look like a genius. He would dominate as the best closer in baseball from 1988 to 1992. Eckersley had remarkable control on the mound and struck fear into the batter. He led the American League (AL) in saves twice (1988, 1992). Eckersley averaged 44 saves from 1988 to 1992. He walked only 38 batters during that span.

Eckersley won the 1988 AL Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. He helped the Athletics win a championship in 1989. Eckersley would have a special season in 1992. He not only won the AL CY Young award. He also won the AL MVP.

Eckersley finished with 390 saves. He won 197 games. Eckerlsey was involved with a total of 587 victories. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004. Dennis Eckersley is one of the greatest closers of all time.