2011 Top Relievers Of The Year

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance gives its Goose Gossage Award to the top relief pitcher of the year.  From time to time relievers reach a level of success that borders on the other worldly. A recent example is Brian Wilson of last year’s World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. Looking back, others who come to mind include Jesse Orozco of the 1986 New York Mets, Willie Hernandez of the 1984 Detroit Tigers and Dennis Eckersley of the 1992 Oakland Athletics. Some of them, such as Bruce Sutter, Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera, maintain this high level on an ongoing basis. How is it possible for someone to be so good in a high-pressure role with such consistency?

I think a combination of factors contributes to a successful relief pitcher. Perhaps most essential, except in the case of Rivera (more on him in a minute), is the mastery of at least one primary pitch enhanced with several secondary pitches. From there, a pitcher must have the ability to alter the velocity of a pitch, modify its movement and determine its location. From the 1961 season, which was the first year that I truly understood this game, to about fifteen years later, those four elements, pitch, velocity, movement and location, were all I thought a pitcher could have in his arsenal. What else was there?

Then Luis Tiant came along and I learned that in rare instances,pitchers can vary their motions. For those so gifted this was a part of their winning formula. A variety of motions keeps a hitter off-balance, because he’s seeing a “different” pitcher from pitch to pitch. He has to contend with a variety of release points as well. For a classic example, watch the 1975 Cincinnati Reds – Boston Red Sox World Series DVD. The reaction Pete Rose had to one of Tiant’s offerings is priceless. One commentator noted that even if you knew what pitch Tiant was about to throw, you didn’t know where it was coming from.

Knowledge of the hitter’s strengths and weaknesses is a responsibility that the pitcher shares with his catcher, other pitchers and the coaching staff. Many ground ball pitcher’s rely on a solid defense, particularly one that is skilled at turning a pitcher’s best friend, the double play. I’ll end with one last essential for a successful reliever: attitude. It’s a certain edge that I cannot fully define, but I recognize it when I see it. It’s an attitude that isn’t acquired; it’s just let out.

American League Relievers

My choice for the Goose Gossage Award in the junior circuit is Jose Valverde, of the Detroit Tigers. Valverde saved every one of his forty-nine opportunities this season. This is a pitcher who lives for the moment when he is inserted in the game. I enjoy his triumphant dance after he finishes each game, too.

A Typical Day At The Office For Jose Valverde

Mariano Rivera is second on my ballot. He has just one pitch, a slider. But which slider is coming?Hitters rarely seem to know. They’re fully aware that it’s on the way, but hitting it is another matter. Want proof? This year he became the record holder for career saves with a total of 603.

Last year’s American League Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz’ excellent season nailed down third place on my ballot. In his short career, he has averaged more than one strikeout for every major-league inning pitched.

National League Relievers

My first-place vote goes to Craig Kimbrel, the Atlanta Braves third-round pick in the 2008 Amateur Draft. Playing for three minor league teams that season, he posted earned run averages of 0.47 (Rookie League, Danville), 0.71 (Low A, Rome) and 0.00 (High A, Myrtle Beach). From there he rocketed his way to the majors where his success continued. During the 2011 season, the 23-year-old Braves Reliever posted a 2.10 ERA, had 46 saves, held opposing batters to a .178 batting average, made 79 appearances, averaged 14.84 strikeouts for every 9 innings pitched and was selected to the National League’s All Star Team.

J. J. Putz enjoyed a turn-around season with the resurgent Arizona Diamondbacks. His 60 appearances, 45 saves and 0.91 WHIP earn him my second-place vote.

Brian Wilson, of the San Francisco Giants, earned my third-place vote. The team’s anemic offense and his injuries limited his save opportunities. He did chalk up 36 of them, however. I still fear “the Beard,” and I am not alone.

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On Deck: The Third Installment Of “What’s Wrong With This Card?”

In The Hole: The Walter Johnson Award – Baseball’s Top Pitcher.