STATS Corner
As the Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez chases the single-season record of 57 saves, several teams are chasing him.
Four teams, in fact, each trying to win more games than Rodriguez saves. He could become the first closer in four years -- and the third in major league history -- to save more games than at least one other club wins. Saves did not become an official statistic until 1969.
In this week’s STATS Corner, a look at the closers in the exclusive club of saving as many games as at least one other club wins, from STATS LLC:
*--* 2002 John Smoltz (Braves), 55 saves Devil Rays, 55 victories Tigers, 55 victories 2003 Eric Gagne (Dodgers), 55 saves Tigers, 43 victories 2004 Mariano Rivera (Yankees), 53 saves Diamondbacks, 51 victories 2008 * Francisco Rodriguez (Angels), 45 saves Giants, 45 victories Padres, 42 victories Mariners, 41 victories Nationals, 39 victories * through Friday’s games *--*
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