Greatest reliever seasons ever

[Gregory Pratt]

I nominated Mike Marshall, Cy Young Award winner in 1974:

 

W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HBP WP BFP IBB BK ERA *lgERA *ERA+ WHIP

 

15 12 106 0 0 0 83 21 208.3 191 66 56 9 56 143 1 5 857 1 3 2.42 3.41 141 1.186 MVP-3,CYA-1,AS

 

(That doesn't mean I'd vote for him. Just a nomination.)

 

What do you nominate / vote for, and why?

[Gregory Pratt]

Also, this is really interesting. From here:

 

Here are the best relief seasons, according to the Baseball Prospectus stat WXRL, which is expected wins added over a replacement-level pitcher and adjusted for level of opposing hitters.

 

1. John Hiller, 1973 Tigers (9.64)

10-5, 38 saves, 1.44 ERA, 125.1 IP, 89 H, 39 BB, 124 SO

 

2. Eric Gagne, 2003 Dodgers (9.24)

2-3, 55 saves, 1.20 ERA, 82.1 IP, 37 H, 20 BB, 137 SO

 

3. Willie Hernandez, 2004 Tigers (9.14)

9-3, 32 saves, 1.92 ERA, 140.1 IP, 96 H, 36 BB, 112 SO

 

4. Stu Miller, 1965 Orioles (8.96)

14-7, 24 saves, 1.89 ERA, 119.1 IP, 87 H, 32 BB, 104 SO

 

5. Troy Percival, 1996 Angels (8.31)

0-2, 36 saves, 2.31 ERA, 74 IP, 38 H, 31 BB, 100 SO

 

6. Trevor Hoffman, 1998 Padres (8.29)

4-2, 53 saves, 1.48 ERA, 73 IP, 41 H, 21 BB, 86 SO

 

7. Keith Foulke, 2000 White Sox (8.21)

3-1, 34 saves, 2.97 ERA, 88 IP, 66 H, 22 BB, 91 SO

 

8. Eric Gagne, 2002 Dodgers (8.20)

4-1, 52 saves, 1.97 ERA, 82.1 IP, 55 H, 16 BB, 114 SO

 

9. Dan Quisenberry, 1980 Royals (8.20)

12-7, 33 saves, 3.09 ERA, 128.1 IP, 27 BB, 37 SO

 

10. Brad Lidge, 2004 Astros (8.10)

6-5, 29 saves, 1.90 ERA, 94.2 IP, 57 H, 30 BB, 157 SO

[maggsmaggs]

Gagne, in 2003, was damn near unhittable. I mean teams probably thought there was no way they were scoring on him, he would be my choice as that season was just sick. I mean 15 Ks per 9 inn, an almost 7:1 KK to BB ratio, 1.20 ERA, .133 BAA and a 55/55 in saves. Those are literally Nintendo numbers, granted he was probably aided by PEDs but damn, it was the best season for a reliever IMO.

[Gregory Pratt]

He was fun to watch.

[gosox41]

Also, this is really interesting. From here:

 

Here are the best relief seasons, according to the Baseball Prospectus stat WXRL, which is expected wins added over a replacement-level pitcher and adjusted for level of opposing hitters.

 

1. John Hiller, 1973 Tigers (9.64)

10-5, 38 saves, 1.44 ERA, 125.1 IP, 89 H, 39 BB, 124 SO

 

2. Eric Gagne, 2003 Dodgers (9.24)

2-3, 55 saves, 1.20 ERA, 82.1 IP, 37 H, 20 BB, 137 SO

 

3. Willie Hernandez, 2004 Tigers (9.14)

9-3, 32 saves, 1.92 ERA, 140.1 IP, 96 H, 36 BB, 112 SO

 

4. Stu Miller, 1965 Orioles (8.96)

14-7, 24 saves, 1.89 ERA, 119.1 IP, 87 H, 32 BB, 104 SO

 

5. Troy Percival, 1996 Angels (8.31)

0-2, 36 saves, 2.31 ERA, 74 IP, 38 H, 31 BB, 100 SO

 

6. Trevor Hoffman, 1998 Padres (8.29)

4-2, 53 saves, 1.48 ERA, 73 IP, 41 H, 21 BB, 86 SO

 

7. Keith Foulke, 2000 White Sox (8.21)

3-1, 34 saves, 2.97 ERA, 88 IP, 66 H, 22 BB, 91 SO

 

8. Eric Gagne, 2002 Dodgers (8.20)

4-1, 52 saves, 1.97 ERA, 82.1 IP, 55 H, 16 BB, 114 SO

 

9. Dan Quisenberry, 1980 Royals (8.20)

12-7, 33 saves, 3.09 ERA, 128.1 IP, 27 BB, 37 SO

 

10. Brad Lidge, 2004 Astros (8.10)

6-5, 29 saves, 1.90 ERA, 94.2 IP, 57 H, 30 BB, 157 SO

 

 

I'm surprised Eckersley isn't in the top 10. He had some dominant seasons as a closer.

 

[Leonard Zelig]

I'm surprised Eckersley isn't in the top 10. He had some dominant seasons as a closer.

 

Uh, yeah. In 1990, 0.61 ERA 73K to 4BB 48 Saves, 5 ER for the whole year?!!!??!?!?!

[GoSox05]

Uh, yeah. In 1990, 0.61 ERA 73K to 4BB 48 Saves, 5 ER for the whole year?!!!??!?!?!

 

 

That is just unreal. 4 walks and 5 ER the whole year! That is about as good as it gets.

[Felix]

Either Gagne ('03) or Eck ('90). Both of their seasons were ridiculous.

[RME JICO]

Eck in 1990, only 45 baserunners in 73 innings is ridiculous with a WHIP of 0.61. His 5 year run from 88-92 may be the most dominant stretch ever for a reliever:

 

359.2 IP, 1.90 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 247 H, 76 ER, 38 BB, 378K and 220 Saves in 5 seasons. Also, a 5 time All-Star, AL MVP, and Cy Young in that period while winning a World Series to boot.

 

 

How about the 2003 Houston Astros bullpen having Billy Wagner, Octavio Dotel and Brad Lidge.

[Chisoxfn]

Gagne, in 2003, was damn near unhittable. I mean teams probably thought there was no way they were scoring on him, he would be my choice as that season was just sick. I mean 15 Ks per 9 inn, an almost 7:1 KK to BB ratio, 1.20 ERA, .133 BAA and a 55/55 in saves. Those are literally Nintendo numbers, granted he was probably aided by PEDs but damn, it was the best season for a reliever IMO.

Agreed...no one even comes close to 2003 Gagne. Although 90 Eck was pretty damn filthy as well.

[YASNY]

I gotta give it to '90 Eck.

[Chisoxfn]

I think 90 ECK was amazing, but what Gagne did was in an even more offensive era than 1990.

[YASNY]

I think 90 ECK was amazing, but what Gagne did was in an even more offensive era than 1990.

 

Yes, but Gagne was evening the score so to speak. And he was only 'even' against the Sosa's and McGuire's that were out there. Against the rest ..... ?

[YASNY]

Yes, but Gagne was evening the score so to speak. And he was only 'even' against the Sosa's and McGuire's that were out there. Against the rest ..... ?

 

Yes , I know the years don't match up with the players, but the point is made.