[Lefty Noob]

It's official - Trevor Hoffman is the first closer in MLB history to record 500 career saves.

According to the Associated Press, "Hoffman, who had a dubious start in San Diego 14 years ago, became the first big leaguer to reach that plateau when he saved the San Diego Padres' 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night... Hoffman was able to sneak an 87 mph fastball -- rather than his trademark changeup -- past Russell Martin for the final out. His teammates surrounded him and patted him on the head before David Wells and Heath Bell lifted the bullpen ace onto their shoulders and hauled him toward the dugout."

So, is Trevor Hoffman the greatest closer of all time? Or are his numbers misleading because of the more relaxed save rules?

[MVB]

I'd say he's the second best closer in baseball history, after Rivera.... And that's just because of what Rivera has done in the postseason.

[bears9]

this a great acomplishmentits just to bad lee mith couldnt doit first

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by MVB

I'd say he's the second best closer in baseball history, after Rivera.... And that's just because of what Rivera has done in the postseason.

Wow. No love for Eckersley? Fingers? Sutter? Lots of great closers to have played the game. Hard to believe the top two are both active players.

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Wow. No love for Eckersley? Fingers? Sutter? Lots of great closers to have played the game. Hard to believe the top two are both active players.

dont forget lee smith

[azrael492]

I would say Eck has to be one of the greatest. He cahnged the way that relievers are used today. When he came in the 9th, the game was basically over.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

It's official - So, is Trevor Hoffman the greatest closer of all time? Or are his numbers misleading because of the more relaxed save rules?

I was watching a "Yankeeography" on Sparky Lyle and in their 1977 championship season, on the road in game 4 of the ALCS against KC, and the Yankees were down 2-1 in games (they only played 5 game series back then) so if the Yankees lost they were out.

Billy Martin brought in Sparky in the 4th inning to protect a 5-4 lead. The Yankees added on a run in the 9th to win 6-4. They then won the next game and moved on to the series where Reggie put on his show.

Now that's a save.

A closer today would never be brought in that early. Goose Gossage came in the 5th inning of the Boston-Yankees 1 game playoff in 1978.

So to me the save numbers mean very little. I'm not knocking Hoffman, he is a great closer, but I think you have to judge closers on what you see, more than on the numbers. There are way too many cheap saves today.

All I could say is that I would put Hoffman in the Top 10.