What is a save in baseball?

By HotBotUpdated: July 18, 2024

Answer

Definition of a Save

In baseball, a save is a statistic credited to a relief pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The concept of a save is intended to measure the effectiveness of pitchers who enter the game in challenging situations and successfully maintain their team's lead.

Historical Background

The statistic of the save was created by sportswriter Jerome Holtzman in 1959 and was officially adopted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1969. Before this, there was no formal measure to recognize the efforts of relief pitchers who preserved victories. Holtzman's innovation has since become a key metric in evaluating the performance of relief pitchers.

Criteria for a Save

For a pitcher to be credited with a save, the following conditions must be met:

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1. The pitcher must be the last one to appear for his team.

2. He must not be the winning pitcher.

3. He must enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning, or enter the game with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck, or pitch at least three innings.

Three Run Lead Rule

A common situation for a save is when a pitcher enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and successfully completes at least one inning. This scenario often occurs in the ninth inning, where the closer is brought in to finish the game.

Tying Run Rule

The pitcher can also earn a save if they enter the game when the potential tying run is on base, at bat, or on deck, regardless of the score. This rule recognizes the high-pressure situations where the pitcher has little room for error.

Three-Inning Rule

A less common scenario is when a pitcher earns a save by pitching three or more innings to finish the game, regardless of the lead size. This typically happens when a long reliever or a mop-up pitcher is used to preserve the win in games with larger leads or extra-inning situations.

The Role of the Closer

The closer is a specialized relief pitcher who is often assigned to pitch the final inning of a game when his team has a small lead. The role of the closer has become an integral part of modern baseball strategy, with managers often reserving their best relief pitcher for this high-stakes situation.

Notable Closers in MLB History

Several pitchers have excelled in the closer role and amassed impressive save totals over their careers. Some of the most notable closers include:

Mariano Rivera: The all-time leader in saves with 652, Rivera played his entire career with the New York Yankees and is renowned for his dominant cutter pitch.
Trevor Hoffman: Second on the all-time saves list with 601 saves, Hoffman was known for his devastating changeup and played the majority of his career with the San Diego Padres.
Lee Smith: One of the early dominant closers, Smith recorded 478 saves and was known for his intimidating presence on the mound.

Save Opportunities

A save opportunity is a situation in which a relief pitcher can earn a save. These opportunities are critical in evaluating a closer's effectiveness. A pitcher who frequently converts save opportunities into actual saves is highly valued.

Blown Saves

A blown save occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game in a save situation but does not maintain the lead. This statistic is often used in conjunction with saves to give a fuller picture of a closer's performance. For instance, a pitcher with many saves but also many blown saves might be less effective than one with fewer saves but a higher conversion rate.

Advanced Metrics and Saves

While the save is a valuable statistic, advanced metrics provide a more comprehensive evaluation of a reliever's performance. Some of these metrics include:

WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched): This measures the number of baserunners a pitcher allows per inning, providing insight into their control and effectiveness.
FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching): This estimates a pitcher's effectiveness at preventing home runs, walks, and strikeouts, independent of the fielding behind them.
WAR (Wins Above Replacement): This evaluates a player's overall contribution to their team, including both pitching and defensive metrics.

Controversies and Criticisms

The save statistic has its share of controversies and criticisms. Some argue that it overvalues the closer role and undervalues other relief pitchers who may enter the game in equally or more challenging situations. Critics also point out that the save rule can lead managers to make suboptimal decisions, such as not using their best relievers in high-leverage situations earlier in the game.

Evolution of the Relief Pitcher Role

The role of relief pitchers, including closers, has evolved significantly over the years. In the early days of baseball, starters were often expected to finish games themselves. As the game evolved, the specialization of relief roles emerged, with specific pitchers designated for late innings, matchups, and save situations. This evolution has led to a greater emphasis on bullpen management and strategic deployment of pitchers.

Impact on Team Strategy

The save rule has a profound impact on team strategy, influencing decisions on pitcher usage, bullpen construction, and game management. Managers must balance the need to preserve leads with the long-term health and effectiveness of their pitching staff. This dynamic adds layers of complexity to in-game decision-making and overall team strategy.

The save in baseball is a multifaceted and sometimes controversial statistic that has significantly shaped the role of relief pitchers and team strategies. As you delve deeper into the intricacies of this rule, consider how it aligns with the evolving dynamics of the game and the broader context of player performance metrics.