Dodgers Dugout: 10 Best Relief Pitchers in Dodgers History

Hello, welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell. This is a bonus edition of our newsletter as we continue to watch the Top 10 Dodgers in each position.

Top 10 Relief Pitchers

Below is my picks from the top 10 relief pitchers in Dodgers history and how you voted afterwards. The only numbers listed are the Dodgers. Click on the player’s name to navigate to the Baseball-Reference.com page using all statistics.

1. (2010-21, 37-36, 2.37 ERA, 350 saves, 164 ERA+, 3 All-Stars)

It’s really hard to find someone else to be named the best Dodgers bailout. Let’s take a look at his 2017 season: 68.1 innings, 41 saves, 5-0, 44 hits, 7 walks, 109 strikeouts. He came in fifth place in the Cy Young poll and 15th in the MVP poll. He pitched with peace of mind in 701 games for the Dodgers. The next closest is 250 games behind him.

When he was with the Dodgers, I wrote a lot about Janssen. It’s enough to say he had an incredible career with the team and it’s great to see him having a good season with the Angels this season. He pitched in 928 games and has 473 career saves and Hall of Fame numbers.

2. (1961-67, 54-41, 2.56 ERA, 100 saves, 132 ERA+)

For all praise (worthy), Sandy Koufax and Don Dorisdale To pitch the Dodgers for three World Series appearances and two titles in the 1960s, people sometimes overlook the fact that one of them, or the other starter, is waiting on the wing if it gets slower. He went 16-3 in 1963 with 1.67 ERAs and 21 saves in 69 games leading the league, before finishing fourth in the MVP poll, leading the league on the pitch three times, often pitching more than 100 innings. When the Dodgers cleaned up the Yankees in the 1963 World Series, they used only four pitchers: Starter, Koufax, Drysdale, and Johnny LotresAnd Peranoski is relieved.

He later served as Dodger pitching coach from 1981 to 94. He passed away in 2020 in 1984.

3. (1964-75, 61-51, 2.62 ERA, 126 saves, 127 ERA+, 1 All-Star)

In 1968, Brewer approached and remained at work throughout the 1973 season.

Brewer had four terrible seasons for the Cubs before the Dodgers acquired him before the 1964 season. He was not expected to make a team, but he received the better spring training the Dodgers swapped the bailers. Larry Shelley To make space for him

He had a good season but didn’t pitch in too many games that the Dodgers were leading. He had two pitches, fastballs and curves, but neither of them burned the world. In the spring 1965 training, he was trying out screwballs, but was unable to make it work. The Dodgers play the Braves in the exhibition game, and Brewer asked the left-handed man of the legendary Braves Warren Spahn The way he threw a screwball.

“I was working on screwballs, but I didn’t feel confident enough to use it in the game. I approached Spahn and asked for some advice,” Brewer told Sports News in 1968.

Eel pain from his new pitch probably restricted him in 1965 and 1966, but in 1967 he was a new pitcher. Used as a set-up man, he pitched 100 innings with an ERA of 2.68. The following season marked two eras, approaching the periods of 1971 and 1972.

Despite the strong season in 1973, injuries were beginning to pile up for the brewers when he created the All-Star team. Therefore, before the 1974 season, the Dodgers acquired it Mike Marshall He then named him a new nearby. After the season, Brewer asked to trade. In July 1975, the Dodgers sent him to the Angels to the rescuer Dave sells. He retired after the 1976 season after the ligaments in his elbow were torn.

Brewer passed away two days after his 50th birthday. On November 14, 1987, he was killed in a head-on collision.

4. (1999-2006, 25-21, 3.27 ERA, 161 saves, 125 ERA+, 3 All-Stars, 2003 Cy Young Award)

The numbers above are a bit misleading. Because they include time as a poor starting pitcher. If you limit it to his season as a rescuer, his time falls to an astonishing 1.82, 221 ERA+.

In 1999, Gagné was the prospect of pitching as the starting pitcher for the Dodgers organization. He appeared to be the second or three guys in the rotation for many years. However, he struggled in the majors, 19 starts in 2000 and 4-6 with a 5.15 ERA, and 2001 with a 6-7 with a 4.75 ERA in 24 starts. It’s a far cry from what he ultimately does.

Jeff Shaw He retired before the 2002 season and left the Dodgers without getting close. manager Jim Tracy I had an idea: What about Gagni? People often forget the controversial movement that it was at the time. Take one of your top starting pitcher prospects and bring him closer?

After that, Gagné quickly got closest to the best in the game. He dominated spring training. He began the season with 10 consecutive saves. He was selected for the All-Star team. He finished the year with 52 saves.

And he captured the imagination of Dodgers fans. Because he’s been blowing the ball by them near the first time the team ever came in and could just control the batter. He hit 114 in 82 1/3 innings.

When Gagne was in his prime, no one left the game early because they wanted to see him closing it. If the Dodgers had a narrow lead, people would stand up, expecting his arrival as soon as the eighth innings are over. As soon as the gun “Rose” and “Welcome to the Jungle” begin to perform, the stadium gush with cheers and hist. A very few Dodgers in history received that kind of reception every time. Gagne became known as “Game Over,” and he lined up games with T-shirts throughout the stadium.

In 2003, Gagné completed only 20 walks with an ERA 1.20, 55 saves (not blown away), 137 strikeouts and 82.2 innings. He only gave up 37 hits. He was selected as the winner of NL Cy Young. It remains the biggest season in history. Since 2002-2004, Gagne has made 84 consecutive saves, but it’s still a record.

Gagne’s career was quickly unraveled. He injured his knee in spring training before the 2005 season. He returned, injured his arm and had surgery from Tommy John, who ended the season. He only pitched two games in 2006, then injured his back and required season-ending surgery due to two herniated discs.

After the season he became a free agent and bouncing back to three teams. His final season was in 2008 with Milwaukee. He attempted a comeback with the Dodgers in 2010, but after six runs in two spring training innings, he retired.

Streak’s glow dulled when he was named as a player with a drug that would improve performance in the Mitchell Report. He used human growth hormone, apologized to fans, and said he began using it in 2005 when he was injured after a straight win. Gagné talked about it in 2010.

“It changed that a lot over the years,” Gagne said. “But now you’re coming to grips. You have to accept it and just keep going. You have to go on and enjoy baseball, kick people out and get back to basics. There’s a lot of regret. But all the while I was with the Dodgers, it’s been an incredible time. The Mitchell report and everything is negative. It’s always my resume for the rest of my life.”

5. (1939-42, 1946-48, 70-41, 3.34 ERA, 49 saves, 115 ERA+)

Since the beginning of that era, it is difficult to compare rescuers before an era close to rescuers. At the time, savings were not even statistical (reported retroactively), and rescuers regularly pitch multiple innings.

It brings us to the first true “close” Casey in Dodger history. He lost three seasons in World War II after leading the NL with 13 saves in 1942. He returned to 11-5 with five saves in 1946 and led the NL with 18 saves in 1946. Casey was a starter even to the manager. Leo Durochar He switched to rescue him midway through the 1941 season. It made all the difference in the world for Casey, who flourished in that role. In 1942, the Dodgers trained in Cuba and in authors. Ernest Hemingway It was there. Some team members and Hemingway were drinking drinks when Hemingway challenged Casey to fight. Casey refused, so Hemingway’s sucker punched him. Casey beat Hemingway quite a bit until the author punched Casey at the gro caliber and declared the fight a draw.

Casey lived a difficult life after baseball and died in 1951 at the age of 37.

6. (1988-92, 22-19, 2.07 ERA, 85 saves, 170 ERA+, 1 All-Star)

Nearly two seasons in Auckland, Howell spent a terrible 1987, 3-4 with an ERA of 5.89. Since the season he was part of the three-team deal the Dodgers traded. Bob Welch, Matt Young and Jack Savage And I received Howell, Alfredo Griffin and Jesse Orozco.

Following the controversy over “sticky substances” with the pitcher a few seasons ago, 1988 Dodgers fans had to remember Howell, who was stopped during the NLCS to use pine tar on his gloves. It was cold and rainy in New York, so Howell did it to grab the ball better. He was stopped after three games (reduced to two the next day). This is an event that seems to anger the team rather than torn apart. He made that season 21 save. He pitched in Game 3 of the World Series in Oakland and gave up on winning the game after retiring as the first batter at the bottom of the ninth Mark McClair. Some of the A’s then said how happy they were to see Howell and his “Little League Curve Ball” appear in the game. That was a message board document from Tommy LasoldaHe didn’t hesitate to bring Howell the next day. He led the Dodgers, leading 4-3, making two appearances in the seventh. A had the first and second runners. Griffin made an error to shorts with a hit on the ball, loaded the base and raised McGwire, who first popped out on the first pitch. Howell finished a 2-1/3 inning save. Can you imagine that long pitching today?

Howell put together five excellent seasons with the Dodgers and then went on to have seasons in Atlanta and Texas before retiring.

7. (1950-60, 70-52, 3.63 ERA, 81 saves, 113 ERA+, 2 All-Stars)

Rabin relied on the sinker as his main pitch. Peter Gorenbok In the book “Bums,” he says, “They sway to it and you fall to the top of the ball. So you’re not going to hit a lot of line drives from me. Rabin pitched in four games in the 1955 World Series, earning one and saving one.

After he retired, sadness seemed constant in Rabin’s life. He once said Roger Kahn“Did you hear about Jay? My son. Clement Walter Rabin JR. He stepped into a Vietnamese mine and blew his feet away. The Marines sent their cars to our house. Barbara (Wife of Clem Sr.) was separated. I was playing golf. My brother-in-law saw this marine car and said, “Is this about Jay, Clem Rabin, Junior?” The Marines were very courteous. He asked who he was talking to, and my brother-in-law said he was Jay’s uncle and Marines couldn’t say anything under the rules. Only close relatives. When they came and dropped me off the golf course, the first thing they said was, “Jay was hurt, but he’s alive.” He wrote me a letter from the hospital. That was very calm and true. If I were a ball player, I would not have always been apart. But the trip cost me all the money and Jay grew up. If I were a ball player, I would have developed a real relationship with my son. Year, headlines, victory, they are not worth the cost to us. Jay’s feet. ”

“Clem Rabin was one of the main reasons the Dodgers won it all in 1955.” Vin Scully After Rabin passed away in 2007 at the age of 80, he said, “He had the heart of a lion and the intelligence of a wi-fed fox. He was also a good guy.”

8. (1981-87, 30-28, 2.76 ERA, 64 saves, 128 ERA+)

Some Dodger fans remember Niedenfer as the guy who gave up on that home run Jack Clark. But they miss the big picture. Niedenfuer was a quality relief pitcher and pitched 106 innings that year. He also gave up on winning the game Homer Ozzy Smith The first half of the series. “Looking back, I am extremely proud that your manager is confident enough to be the guy he puts in that situation.

Niedenfuer was also a key reliefer for the 1981 World Series champion, pitching five innings in the World Series, giving up three hits and abandoning runs he didn’t get. Niedenfuer lives in Florida with his wife actress Judy Landers. They have two daughters.

One of the things I remember most about Niedenfuer was that after giving up on Clark’s Homer, I answered all the questions from the media after the game. He did not hide or return home before the reporter arrived. As he said, “Just because I didn’t do my job doesn’t mean you can’t do your job.”

The Dodgers traded Niedenfer for the Baltimore Orioles on May 22, 1987. John Shelby And pitcher Blood Haven.

Niedenfuer has joined the “Ask ……” series. .

9. (1974-76, 28-29, 3.01 ERA, 42 Saves, 114 ERA+, 2 times All-Stars, 1974 Cy Young Award)

Marshall was a man with a strong opinion. He felt he could pitch almost every day, but most of his managers thought he was a nut. Until he connects Walter Alstontelling him to trust Marshall and tell him if he can’t pitch. And that’s how Marshall came in 106 games, reassuring an astounding 208.1 innings, earning 15-12 with 2.42 ERA and 31 saves. He won the Cy Young Award and became the first rescuer. However, Marshall was very open and a huge supporter of the fast-growing union, so he was usually sent quickly by the team. The Dodgers traded him in 1976. Overall, Marshall spent 14 seasons in the majors and played for nine teams. He is also an important background character Gym buttonBook of “Ball 4”.

10. (1980-85, 2.35 ERA, 59 saves, 150 ERA+, 1 All-Star, 1980 NL Rookie of the Year)

The tragic story of Steve Howe in 10 sentences:

1. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1980 and later built a major drug problem when he was given cocaine at a new conference and announced his award.
2. He was on the mound for the final final of the 1981 Dodgers’ World Series title.
3. He had his best season in 1983. He had 18 saves and 1.44 ERA in 68.2 innings.
4. It was suspended for the entire 1984 season.
5. The Dodgers finally gave up on him midway through the 1985 season.
6. He finally seemed to clean himself after coming and going to baseball for the rest of the ’80s.
7. He pitched for six seasons with the Yankees from 1991 to 96.
8. He was suspended seven times in his career due to substance abuse.
9. In 2006 he was killed in a single-car accident when the truck rolled into Coachella.
10. An autopsy report found Meth in his system.

Next 10: Takashizaite, Larry Shelley, Phil Regan, Joe Black, Alejand Ropeña, Jonathan Broxton, Jeffshaw, Todd Worrell, Edrowbuck, Vitotamuris.

Top 5 managers

Who are the five best Dodgers managers of all time (including Brooklyn)? The list will be sent by email in order. Remember, we’re only considering what they were Dodgers.

Many of you have been asking for a list of people to consider for each position. This is everyone who managed the Dodgers in at least 81 games:

Walter Alston, Bill Barney, Charlie Byrne, Max Carrey, Bill Darren, Chuck Dressen, Patsy Donovan, Leo Durocher, Charlie Ebbets, Dave Foots, Burley Grimes, Ned Hanlon, Glenn Hoffman, Dave Johnson, Tommy Lasolda, Dolly Matt Roberts, Wilbert Robinson, Bill Russell, Bert Schotton, Casey Stengel, George Taylor, Joe Torre, Jim Tracy, John Ward.

And finally

Steve Howe He will win the finals of the 1981 World Series. .

Until next time…

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