Time to testify

Today is June 19. In a little more than a week the Major League Baseball season will be halfway over, and Jonathan Papelbon, rookie closer for the Boston Red Sox has only given up one run all season. One run. His ERA is 0.25. He is on his way to one of the greatest single season performances by a relief pitcher in history. Let's compare him to some of the greats.

First, look at Dennis Eckersly's greatest season as a closer. In 1990, Eck gave up 9 runs in 73 1/3 innings for an ERA of 0.61. He recorded 48 saves and surrendered 0.61 walks and hits per innings pitched. That is a great season.

Papelbon is on pace to give up just 2 runs this year. His WHIP is 0.64, slightly higher than Eck's in 1990. He's recorded 22 saves. Papelbon is just as dominant as Eckersly was in 1990 but even more difficult to score upon.

Then there's Hoyt Wilhelm. Wilhelm was a great reliever for a lot of years. His best year in terms of ERA was 1967, when he was 44 years old!!! His ERA was 1.31. He gave up 13 earned runs that year in 89 innings. He gave up 8 unearned runs as well. His WHIP was 1.03, a lot less dominant than Eck and Papelbon. So even in his best season, Wilhelm didn't dominate as much as Papelbon and Eckersly did.

Then there was Rick "Goose" Gossage. Hs best ERA came in 1981 when he posted a mark of 0.77. He gave up just 4 earned runs that year and recorded a WHIP of 0.77. He had 20 saves that year and only pitched 46 2/3 innings due to the players strike and injury. Though Gossage was indeed dominant and he gave up just 2 more runs than Papelbon is projected to give up, the shortened season should be weighted against him. Chances are, had he pitched a full season he would have given up 2 or 3 more runs. He did give up 2 unearned runs that year, making it 6 runs to Papelbon's 1. Papelbon clearly is more dominant than Gossage in his finest season.

Then there is Rollie Fingers. His finest season also came in 1981, when he posted an ERA of 1.04 and a WHIP of 0.87. He gave up just nine total runs that year in 78 innings and earned 28 saves. Dominant, but not quite what Papelbon is on pace to do.

The most dominant season by a reliever in the last 15 years was Eric Gagne's 2003 season when he posted a 1.20 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. He recorded 55 saves and gave up just 11 earned runs in 82 1/3 innings. His WHIP is on par with Papelbon's season, but he gave up more runs, due mostly to 5 home runs. Gagne was as dominant as Papelbon, but not flawless. Papelbon beats Gagne's best season.

John Smoltz's 2002 season was nearly as good as Gagne's 2003. Indeed his ERA was lower. An ERA of 1.12 and a WHIP of 0.87. 55 saves and just 8 earned runs in 64 1/3 innings. Dominant, but not as good as Papelbon.

Of the top 100 all time saves leaders in baseball, no other pitcher has posted an ERA of less. than 1.00. Papelbon is clearly having the most dominant season by a relief pitcher in recent memory.

Of course the season is still young. Anything could happen, but right now it's time to give Papelbon his due.