Expert: Tom Schott - 9/3/2006

Question
What major league pitcher has the most saves in a season and when is it considered a save(ei. # of innings pitched, run differential, etc.)?      THANKS!!

Answer
Mike,

 Sorry I've been so slow at getting back to you on this. I had to be away from my desk for a few days. The season record for number of saves is:
 AL  57 Bobby Thigpen, Chicago, 1990
 NL  55 John Smoltz, Atlanta, 2000
     55 Eric Gagne, LA, 2003

 Here is what constitutes a SAVE. According to the Official Major League rules:

Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:

(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and

(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and

(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:

(a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or

(b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces); or

(c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.

Again, sorry for the delay.

Tom