A save is credited to the relief pitcher who finishes a game while protecting a narrow lead. It’s the closer’s signature stat: come in at the end, hold the lead, and lock down the win.
How you earn one
Broadly, a pitcher gets a save if he finishes a win his team never trails after he enters, and he protects a lead of three runs or fewer (or faces the tying run). It’s a high-pressure job: one bad inning can erase the whole team’s work.
The kings of the save
The all-time leader is Mariano Rivera, the Panamanian Hall of Famer, with a record 652 saves — a number that may never be broken. Closing games is one of the most nerve-wracking and valued roles in the sport.
FAQ
Who has the most saves ever?
Mariano Rivera, with 652.
Who usually earns the save?
The closer, the reliever who pitches the final inning of a close win.
