** Add 1 to the ranking of the below list. Francisco Rodriguez of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had 62 saves in the 2008 season and is the new MLB single season saves record holder. ** Here's the all-time list as of the start of the 2008 season:
SEASON
SAVES YEAR SV
1 Bobby Thigpen 1990 57
T2 Eric Gagne 2003 55
T2 John Smoltz 2002 55
T4 Randy Myers 1993 53
T4 Trevor Hoffman 1998 53
T4 Mariano Rivera 2004 53
7 Eric Gagne 2002 52
T8 Dennis Eckersley 1992 51
T8 Rod Beck 1998 51
10 Mariano Rivera 2001 50
11 Francisco Cordero 2004 49
T12 Jeff Shaw 1998 48
T12 Dennis Eckersley 1990 48
T12 Rod Beck 1993 48
T15 Jason Isringhausen 2004 47
T15 Armando Benitez 2004 47
T15 Francisco Rodriguez 2006 47
T15 Jose Valverde 2007 47
T15 Lee Smith 1991 47
T15 Chad Cordero 2005 47
T21 Dave Righetti 1986 46
T21 Trevor Hoffman 2006 46
T21 Tom Gordon 1998 46
T21 Lee Smith 1993 46
T21 Jose Mesa 1995 46
T21 Mike Williams 2002 46
T21 Bryan Harvey 1991 46
T28 Robb Nen 2001 45
T28 Kazuhiro Sasaki 2001 45
T28 Dan Quisenberry 1983 45
T28 Dennis Eckersley 1988 45
T28 Eddie Guardado 2002 45
T28 Jeff Montgomery 1993 45
T28 Randy Myers 1997 45
T28 Bob Wickman 2005 45
T28 Joe Borowski 2007 45
T28 Antonio Alfonseca 2000 45
T28 Francisco Rodriguez 2005 45
T28 Eric Gagne 2004 45
T28 Mariano Rivera 1999 45
T28 Duane Ward 1993 45
T28 Bruce Sutter 1984 45
T28 Bryan Harvey 1993 45
T28 Jose Mesa 2002 45
T28 John Smoltz 2003 45
T46 Todd Worrell 1996 44
T46 Joe Nathan 2004 44
T46 Jeff Brantley 1996 44
T46 Dan Quisenberry 1984 44
T46 Billy Koch 2002 44
T46 John Smoltz 2004 44
T46 Mark Davis 1989 44
T46 Francisco Cordero 2007 44
T46 Billy Wagner 2003 44
T55 Joe Nathan 2005 43
T55 Trevor Hoffman 2005 43
T55 Dennis Eckersley 1991 43
T55 Roberto Hernandez 1999 43
T55 John Wetteland 1996 43
T55 Trevor Hoffman 2001 43
T55 Lee Smith 1992 43
T55 John Wetteland 1999 43
T55 Robb Nen 2002 43
T55 Armando Benitez 2001 43
T55 John Wetteland 1993 43
T55 Jeff Shaw 2001 43
T55 Trevor Hoffman 2000 43
T55 Doug Jones 1990 43
T55 Mitch Williams 1993 43
T55 Mariano Rivera 2005 43
T55 Mariano Rivera 1997 43
T55 Jose Mesa 2004 43
T55 Keith Foulke 2003 43
T74 Todd Jones 2000 42
T74 Trevor Hoffman 2007 42
T74 Troy Percival 1998 42
T74 Jeff Shaw 1997 42
T74 Derek Lowe 2000 42
T74 Trevor Hoffman 1996 42
T74 Brad Lidge 2005 42
T74 Jeff Reardon 1988 42
T74 John Wetteland 1998 42
T74 Rick Aguilera 1991 42
T74 Keith Foulke 2001 42
T74 Jose Mesa 2001 42
T86 Ugueth Urbina 1999 41
T86 Robb Nen 2000 41
T86 Eddie Guardado 2003 41
T86 Bobby Jenks 2006 41
T86 Armando Benitez 2000 41
T86 Jeff Reardon 1985 41
T86 Trevor Hoffman 2004 41
T86 Jose Jimenez 2002 41
T86 Danys Baez 2005 41
T86 Rick Aguilera 1992 41
T86 Danny Graves 2004 41
T97 Francisco Rodriguez 2007 40
T97 Jeff Reardon 1991 40
T97 Robb Nen 1998 40
T97 Todd Jones 2005 40
T97 Bobby Jenks 2007 40
T97 J.J. Putz 2007 40
T97 Troy Percival 2002 40
T97 Tom Henke 1993 40
T97 Trevor Hoffman 1999 40
T97 Ugueth Urbina 2002 40
T97 Steve Bedrosian 1987 40
T97 Mike Jackson 1998 40
T97 Billy Wagner 2006 40
T97 Mariano Rivera 2003 40
T111 Troy Percival 2001 39
T111 Danny Kolb 2004 39
T111 Jason Isringhausen 2005 39
T111 Mike Jackson 1999 39
T111 Derrick Turnbow 2005 39
T111 Takashi Saito 2007 39
T111 Mark Wohlers 1996 39
T111 Jeff Montgomery 1992 39
T111 Billy Wagner 1999 39
T111 Billy Wagner 2001 39
T111 John Franco 1988 39
T111 Jose Mesa 1996 39
T123 Roberto Hernandez 1996 38
T123 Todd Jones 2007 38
T123 Randy Myers 1992 38
T123 B.J. Ryan 2006 38
T123 Kelvim Escobar 2002 38
T123 Trevor Hoffman 2002 38
T123 Tim Worrell 2003 38
T123 Roberto Hernandez 1993 38
T123 Randy Myers 1995 38
T123 John Rocker 1999 38
T123 John Hiller 1973 38
T123 Jeff Russell 1989 38
T123 Rick Aguilera 1998 38
T123 John Franco 1998 38
T123 Billy Wagner 2005 38
T138 Huston Street 2006 37
T138 Bob Wickman 1999 37
T138 Kazuhiro Sasaki 2000 37
T138 Gregg Olson 1990 37
T138 Clay Carroll 1972 37
T138 Jonathan Papelbon 2007 37
T138 Kazuhiro Sasaki 2002 37
T138 Todd Jones 2006 37
T138 Dan Quisenberry 1985 37
T138 Lee Smith 1995 37
T138 John Wetteland 1992 37
T138 Joe Nathan 2007 37
T138 Robb Nen 1999 37
T138 Trevor Hoffman 1997 37
T138 Rollie Fingers 1978 37
T138 Rod Beck 1997 37
T138 Francisco Cordero 2005 37
T138 Doug Jones 1988 37
T138 Chad Cordero 2007 37
T138 Bruce Sutter 1979 37
T158 Mel Rojas 1996 36
T158 Tom Henke 1995 36
T158 Bill Caudill 1984 36
T158 Todd Worrell 1986 36
T158 Eddie Guardado 2005 36
T158 Jeff Montgomery 1998 36
T158 B.J. Ryan 2005 36
T158 J.J. Putz 2006 36
T158 Joe Borowski 2006 36
T158 Troy Percival 1996 36
T158 Dennis Eckersley 1997 36
T158 Dennis Eckersley 1993 36
T158 Lee Smith 1987 36
T158 Dave Righetti 1990 36
T158 Gregg Olson 1992 36
T158 Joe Nathan 2006 36
T158 Byung-Hyun Kim 2002 36
T158 Doug Jones 1992 36
T158 John Franco 1997 36
T158 Jorge Julio 2003 36
T158 Mariano Rivera 1998 36
T158 Mitch Williams 1989 36
T158 Bruce Sutter 1982 36
T158 Billy Koch 2001 36
T158 Octavio Dotel 2004 36
T158 Mariano Rivera 2000 36
T158 Doug Jones 1997 36
T185 Jeff Reardon 1986 35
T185 Dan Quisenberry 1982 35
T185 Rollie Fingers 1977 35
T185 Robb Nen 1996 35
T185 Robb Nen 1997 35
T185 Sparky Lyle 1972 35
T185 Todd Worrell 1997 35
T185 Jonathan Papelbon 2006 35
T185 Billy Wagner 2002 35
T185 Wayne Granger 1970 35
T185 Shawn Chacon 2004 35
T185 Rod Beck 1996 35
T197 Tom Henke 1987 34
T197 Ricky Bottalico 1997 34
T197 Ricky Bottalico 1996 34
T197 Jeff Shaw 1999 34
T197 Ugueth Urbina 1998 34
T197 Tom Gordon 2006 34
T197 John Wetteland 2000 34
T197 Bobby Thigpen 1988 34
T197 Bobby Thigpen 1989 34
T197 Rocky Biddle 2003 34
T197 Jason Isringhausen 2001 34
T197 Tom Henke 1992 34
T197 Dustin Hermanson 2005 34
T197 Jim Gott 1988 34
T197 Billy Wagner 2007 34
T197 Don Aase 1986 34
T197 Keith Foulke 2000 34
T197 Mariano Rivera 2006 34
T197 Ron Perranoski 1970 34
T197 Rick Aguilera 1993 34
T217 Goose Gossage 1980 33
T217 Joe Borowski 2003 33
T217 Jeff Russell 1993 33
T217 Jason Isringhausen 2000 33
T217 Billy Taylor 1998 33
T217 Mark Wohlers 1997 33
T217 Bob Wickman 2006 33
T217 Jeff Montgomery 1991 33
T217 Armando Benitez 2002 33
T217 Dan Quisenberry 1980 33
T217 Jason Isringhausen 2006 33
T217 Dennis Eckersley 1989 33
T217 Todd Worrell 1987 33
T217 Lee Smith 1985 33
T217 Dave Smith 1986 33
T217 Dan Plesac 1989 33
T217 Mike Schooler 1989 33
T217 Chris Ray 2006 33
T217 David Weathers 2007 33
T217 Troy Percival 2003 33
T217 Lee Smith 1994 33
T217 Troy Percival 2004 33
T217 Lee Smith 1984 33
T217 John Franco 1990 33
T217 Rod Beck 1995 33
T217 Bob Stanley 1983 33
T217 Billy Koch 2000 33
T217 Jose Mesa 1999 33
T217 Ryan Dempster 2005 33
T246 Jason Isringhausen 2007 32
T246 Jack Aker 1966 32
T246 Troy Percival 2000 32
T246 Jason Isringhausen 2002 32
T246 Brad Lidge 2006 32
T246 Kevin Gregg 2007 32
T246 Todd Worrell 1995 32
T246 Bob Wickman 2001 32
T246 Roberto Hernandez 1995 32
T246 Roberto Hernandez 2000 32
T246 Akinori Otsuka 2006 32
T246 Willie Hernandez 1984 32
T246 Todd Worrell 1988 32
T246 Tom Henke 1990 32
T246 Tom Henke 1991 32
T246 Ugueth Urbina 2003 32
T246 Rick Aguilera 1990 32
T246 Mike Fetters 1996 32
T246 Mike Marshall 1979 32
T246 Danny Graves 2001 32
T246 Matt Mantei 1999 32
T246 Heathcliff Slocumb 1995 32
T246 Bob James 1985 32
T246 John Franco 1989 32
T246 Danny Graves 2002 32
T246 Doug Jones 1989 32
T246 Rick Aguilera 1995 32
T246 Keith Foulke 2004 32
T246 John Franco 1987 32
T275 Rob Dibble 1991 31
T275 Todd Jones 1997 31
T275 Jeff Montgomery 1995 31
T275 Randy Myers 1990 31
T275 Lee Smith 1986 31
T275 John Wetteland 1995 31
T275 Gregg Olson 1991 31
T275 John Wetteland 1997 31
T275 Jeff Reardon 1989 31
T275 Dave Veres 1999 31
T275 Trevor Hoffman 1995 31
T275 Jeff Reardon 1987 31
T275 Randy Myers 1996 31
T275 Jesse Orosco 1984 31
T275 Dave Righetti 1984 31
T275 Troy Percival 1999 31
T275 Ted Abernathy 1965 31
T275 Roberto Hernandez 1997 31
T275 Willie Hernandez 1985 31
T275 Lee Smith 1990 31
T275 Kent Tekulve 1979 31
T275 Miguel Batista 2005 31
T275 Dave Righetti 1987 31
T275 Kent Tekulve 1978 31
T275 Heathcliff Slocumb 1996 31
T275 Bruce Sutter 1977 31
T275 Mike Marshall 1973 31
T275 Ken Sanders 1971 31
T275 Donnie Moore 1985 31
T275 Mike Timlin 1996 31
T275 Bill Campbell 1977 31
T275 Billy Koch 1999 31
T275 Mike Henneman 1996 31
T275 Ron Perranoski 1969 31
T275 Brian Fuentes 2005 31
T310 Bobby Thigpen 1991 30
T310 Ed Farmer 1980 30
T310 Mike Schooler 1990 30
T310 Goose Gossage 1982 30
T310 Dan Plesac 1988 30
T310 Dave Giusti 1971 30
T310 Gene Garber 1982 30
T310 Greg Minton 1982 30
T310 Mel Rojas 1995 30
T310 Todd Jones 1999 30
T310 Bob Wickman 2000 30
T310 Steve Farr 1992 30
T310 Jeff Russell 1992 30
T310 Dennis Eckersley 1996 30
T310 Jeremy Accardo 2007 30
T310 Gregg Olson 1998 30
T310 Jeff Reardon 1992 30
T310 Jeff Russell 1991 30
T310 Kerry Ligtenberg 1998 30
T310 Billy Wagner 1998 30
T310 Danny Graves 2000 30
T310 Ron Davis 1983 30
T310 John Franco 1991 30
T310 Brian Fuentes 2006 30
T310 John Franco 1994 30
T310 Mariano Rivera 2007 30
T310 Mitch Williams 1991 30
T310 Danys Baez 2004 30
T338 Dave Righetti 1985 29
T338 Lee Smith 1988 29
T338 Gregg Olson 1993 29
T338 Dennis Eckersley 1995 29
T338 Braden Looper 2004 29
T338 Dave Veres 2000 29
T338 Brad Lidge 2004 29
T338 Fred Gladding 1969 29
T338 Jim Kern 1979 29
T338 Luis Arroyo 1961 29
T338 Dick Radatz 1964 29
T338 Doug Henry 1992 29
T338 Jay Howell 1985 29
T338 Lee Smith 1983 29
T338 Rollie Fingers 1982 29
T338 Steve Bedrosian 1986 29
T338 Al Holland 1984 29
T338 Terry Forster 1972 29
T338 Matt Mantei 2003 29
T338 Ron Davis 1984 29
T338 Chad Cordero 2006 29
T338 Mitch Williams 1992 29
T338 John Franco 1986 29
T338 Ron Kline 1965 29
T338 Lindy McDaniel 1970 29
T338 Rich Loiselle 1997 29
T338 Rick Aguilera 2000 29
T338 Steve Olin 1992 29
T338 John Franco 1995 29
T367 Steve Bedrosian 1988 28
T367 Bobby Howry 1999 28
T367 Jeff Brantley 1995 28
T367 Todd Jones 1998 28
T367 Braden Looper 2003 28
T367 Randy Myers 1998 28
T367 Braden Looper 2005 28
T367 Doug Bair 1978 28
T367 Rollie Fingers 1981 28
T367 Ted Abernathy 1967 28
T367 Roy Face 1962 28
T367 Roberto Hernandez 2001 28
T367 Antonio Alfonseca 2001 28
T367 LaTroy Hawkins 2001 28
T367 Tim Burke 1989 28
T367 Jay Howell 1989 28
T367 Mike Williams 2003 28
T367 Rod Beck 1994 28
T367 John Franco 1996 28
T367 Bruce Sutter 1980 28
T367 Mariano Rivera 2002 28
T367 Jeff Zimmerman 2001 28
T367 Mark Davis 1988 28
T367 Ryan Dempster 2007 28
T367 Juan Acevedo 2002 28
T392 Sparky Lyle 1973 27
T392 Minnie Rojas 1967 27
T392 Ugueth Urbina 1997 27
T392 Dave Smith 1988 27
T392 Tug McGraw 1972 27
T392 Mike DeJean 2002 27
T392 Goose Gossage 1978 27
T392 Tom Gordon 2001 27
T392 Troy Percival 1997 27
T392 Gregg Olson 1989 27
T392 Tom Timmermann 1970 27
T392 Ellis Kinder 1953 27
T392 Jeff Montgomery 1994 27
T392 Tom Henke 1986 27
T392 Hoyt Wilhelm 1964 27
T392 Stu Miller 1963 27
T392 Jeff Shaw 2000 27
T392 Ted Power 1985 27
T392 Cecil Upshaw 1969 27
T392 Darold Knowles 1970 27
T392 Dave Smith 1985 27
T392 Mike MacDougal 2003 27
T392 Bruce Sutter 1978 27
T392 Doug Jones 1994 27
T392 Heathcliff Slocumb 1997 27
T392 Mike Stanton 1993 27
T392 Wayne Granger 1969 27
T392 Mike Timlin 1999 27
T392 Danny Graves 1999 27
T392 Jose Mesa 2005 27
T392 Joe Page 1949 27
T423 Dave Giusti 1970 26
T423 Roberto Hernandez 1998 26
T423 Bill Caudill 1983 26
T423 Randy Myers 1988 26
T423 Jeff Reardon 1982 26
T423 Al Reyes 2007 26
T423 Goose Gossage 1985 26
T423 Goose Gossage 1977 26
T423 Roberto Hernandez 2002 26
T423 Goose Gossage 1975 26
T423 Norm Charlton 1992 26
T423 Bill Landrum 1989 26
T423 Sparky Lyle 1977 26
T423 Bill Caudill 1982 26
T423 Rawly Eastwick 1976 26
T423 Billy Taylor 1999 26
T423 Lindy McDaniel 1960 26
T423 Lance Carter 2003 26
T423 Doug Jones 1993 26
T423 Tim Stoddard 1980 26
T423 Mike Henneman 1995 26
T423 Rick Aguilera 1997 26
Through the 2008 season, that is Mordecai 'Three Finger' Brown who won 29 games in the 1908 season.
A save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game with a certain number of saves or percentage of save opportunities. Mariano Rivera is the MLB's leader in one season's saves with 652.
In MLB, that is Pud Galvin of the 1883 Buffalo Bisons with 75 (record was 49-26).
John Franco. Franco had 424 career saves which is 4th most in MLB history. He led the National League in saves in 3 seasons (1988, 1990, 1994) but was never the MLB season leader.
dave stewart
Rafael Soriano with 45 saves for the 2010 Rays.
Through the 2008 season, that is Ken Sanders of the 1971 Brewers who pitched in 83 games. He led the American League in saves that year with 31.
Sandy Koufax with 382 strikeouts in 1965.
Ferguson Jenkins with 25 in 1974.
Through the 2008 season, that is Paul Quantrill who pitched in 86 games in the 2004 season.
Through the 2008 season, that is Mordecai 'Three Finger' Brown who won 29 games in the 1908 season.
The Pirates franchise record for most wins by a pitcher in a season is held by Frank Killen who won 34 games in 1893.
Through the 2007 season, Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres is the MLB all time saves leader with 524.
As of 9/19/2011: Mariano Rivera is the all-time saves leaders with 602. The single season record for saves is 62, held by Francisco Rodriguez.
A save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game with a certain number of saves or percentage of save opportunities. Mariano Rivera is the MLB's leader in one season's saves with 652.
Susan Dunmire
Red Ruffing. Ruffing holds the Red Sox record for most losses in a season with 25 in 1928. His record that season was 10-25.