Closers don’t always get the love they deserve. They come in, throw flames, and lock games down under immense pressure, yet unless they’re racking up 50-save seasons or striking out the side in October, many of them fade into baseball’s background.
This list is all about those bullpen heroes who were quietly elite. From reliable journeymen to single-franchise legends, these 15 closers didn’t get the spotlight they earned, but they absolutely should have.
15. Jeff Montgomery
He was a staple for the Royals throughout the ’90s, quietly piling up 304 career saves. Montgomery didn’t flash much, but he got the job done with ice in his veins.
14. Keith Foulke
He closed out one of the most iconic moments in Red Sox history, yet people forget how dominant he was before and after. Foulke’s changeup was filthy, and his postseason poise was legendary.
13. Armando Benítez
Sure, he had a few high-profile meltdowns, but don’t let that overshadow 289 career saves and a sub-3.00 ERA in multiple seasons. When he was locked in, few could touch him.
12. Bob Wickman
He didn’t look the part, but Wickman was a model of consistency across a surprisingly long career. His sinker kept hitters off balance, and he finished with 267 saves.
11. Dave Righetti
Righetti was ahead of his time, transitioning from a solid starter to an elite closer before it was cool. He held down the Yankees’ bullpen before Mariano ever showed up.
10. Steve Bedrosian
“Bedrock” had a Cy Young season in ’87, but most fans don’t realize how consistently solid he was. He finished with over 180 saves and played a key role for multiple teams.
9. Doug Jones
Jones didn’t fit the mold of a power closer; he relied on guile and off-speed mastery. Somehow, that turned into 303 career saves and a long-lasting MLB career.
8. Jose Valverde
He was loud, expressive, and effective, especially during his perfect 49-for-49 save season in 2011. Valverde never really got the long-term credit for how dominant he was in his prime.
7. Ugueth Urbina
Off-the-field issues overshadowed a very productive career, but strictly on the mound, Urbina was electric. He racked up over 200 saves with a nasty fastball-slider combo.
6. Roberto Hernández
He wasn’t flashy, but Hernández was incredibly durable, pitching in parts of 17 seasons and finishing with 326 saves. His reliability made him a go-to guy for multiple clubs.
5. John Axford
For a few seasons, Axford was one of the most feared closers in the league, and the mustache only made him more intimidating. Injuries slowed him down, but his peak was elite.
4. Tom Henke
Nicknamed “The Terminator,” Henke anchored the Blue Jays’ bullpen for years and helped bring a title to Toronto. He retired with 311 saves and somehow still feels forgotten.
3. Chad Cordero
The flat-brimmed legend of the Nationals’ early days, Cordero was dominant before injuries derailed his trajectory. He led the NL in saves in 2005 and looked like a future star.
2. Francisco Cordero
“CoCo” bounced around a bit but was always productive, finishing with 329 career saves. He rarely got the same hype as his peers, but the numbers speak for themselves.
Read More: 10 MLB Players Who Were Briefly the Face of a Franchise
1. Jonathan Papelbon
Yes, he was fiery and sometimes polarizing, but Papelbon should be in every elite closer conversation. He’s Boston’s all-time saves leader and had a sub-2.00 ERA in the postseason, put some respect on his name.
Read More: The 15 Best MLB Closers of All Time
