Teams with multiple pitchers with post season saves since 1969

(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

The Rangers have played two game in the post season and have two saves from two different pitchers. And neither of those pitchers are named Shawn Tolleson who led the team with 35 saves.

It is refreshing when managers make decisions based on the situation rather than just drag the closer out in the 9th as a default. (Sam Dyson pitched the 9th in Game 1 instead of Tolleson. Manager Jeff Banister used Tolleson in Game 2 when it was NOT a save situation.)

The save became an official stat in 1969. Teams in the post season initially played to the situation instead of using the closer in all close 9th innings. But as saves began to pile up (especially after Tony LaRussa began using Dennis Eckersley one inning at time) and the prices of an innings closers sky rocketed, managers seemed to manage by the book and stick the closer in no matter what.

Every once in a while, a team will have multiple pitchers record a save in a post season. It does not happen often, but they pop up. Just last year, the Giants had 3 different pitchers credited with a save. If Tolleson saves a game, then the Rangers will match that total.

So here are all the teams to use more than one pitcher to save a game since 1969.

Teams with multiple pitchers with post season saves since 1969
1969 New York Mets – Ron Taylor (WS), Nolan Ryan (WS)
1970 Baltimore Orioles – Pete Richert (WS), Dick Hall (WS)
1970 Cincinnati Reds – Clay Carroll (NLCS), Don Gullett (NLCS)
1972 Oakland A’s – Vida Blue (ALCS), Rollie Fingers (WS)
1972 Cincinnati Reds – Clay Carroll (WS), Jack Billingham (WS), Tom Hall (WS)
1973 New York Mets – Tug McGraw (NLCS, WS), George Stone (WS), Ray Sadecki (WS)
1973 Oakland A’s – Rollie Fingers (ALCS, WS), Darold Knowles (WS)
1974 Oakland A’s – Rollie Fingers (ALCS, WS), Catfish Hunter (WS)
1975 Cincinnati Reds – Pedro Borbon (NLCS), Rawly Eastwick (WS), Will McEnaney (WS)
1976 Cincinnati Reds – Pedro Borbon (NLCS), Will McEnaney (WS)
1978 New York Yankees – Ken Clay (ALCS), Rich Gossage (ALCS)
1979 Pittsburgh Pirates – Don Robinson (NLCS), Kent Tekulve (WS)
1980 Philadelphia Phillies – Tug McGraw (NLCS, WS), Ron Reed (WS)
1981 Los Angeles Dodgers – Bob Welch (NLCS), Steve Howe (WS)
1982 Milwaukee Brewers – Pete Ladd (ALCS), Jim Slaton (ALCS), Bob McClure (WS)
1983 Baltimore Orioles – Sammy Stewart (ALCS), Tippy Martinez (WS)
1984 San Diego Padres – Rich Gossage (NLCS), Craig Lefferts (WS)
1985 St. Louis Cardinals – Ken Dayley (NLCS), Todd Worrell (WS), Jeff Lahti (WS)
1986 Boston Red Sox – Calvin Schraldi (ALCS, WS), Bob Stanley (WS)
1987 Minnesota Twins – Juan Berenguer (ALCS), Jeff Reardon (ALCS, WS)
1987 St. Louis Cardinals – Ken Dayley (NLCS, WS), Todd Worrell (NLCS, WS)
1988 Los Angeles Dodgers – Alejandro Pena (NLCS), Orel Hershiser (NLCS), Brian Holton (NLCS), Jay Howell (WS)
1990 Cincinnati Reds – Randy Myers (NLCS, WS), Rob Dibble (NLCS)
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates – Ted Power (NLCS), Bob Patterson (NLCS)
1990 Oakland Athletics – Dennis Eckersley (ALCS), Rick Honeycutt (ALCS)
1991 Pittsburgh Pirates – Bob Walk (NLCS), Roger Mason (NLCS)
1992 Toronto Blue Jays – Tom Henke (ALCS, WS), Mike Timlin (WS)
1992 Atlanta Braves – Jeff Reardon (NLCS), Mike Stanton (WS)
1993 Philadelphia Phillies – Mitch Williams (NLCS), Larry Andersen (NLCS)
1995 Atlanta Braves – Mark Wohlers (DS, NLCS, WS) Greg McMichael (NLCS), Pedro Borbon (WS)
1995 Seattle Mariners – Norm Charlton (DS, ALCS), Bill Risley (DS)
1996 Baltimore Orioles – Randy Myers (DS), Armando Benitez (ALCS)
1997 Cleveland Indians – Jose Mesa (DS, ALCS, WS), Brian Anderson (WS)
1998 San Diego Padres – Trevor Hoffman (DS, NLCS), Donne Wall (NLCS)
1999 Atlanta Braves – Kevin Millwood (DS), John Rocker (DS, NLCS), John Smoltz (NLCS)
1999 New York Yankees – Mariano Rivera (DS, ALCS, WS), Ramiro Mendoza (ALCS)
2000 New York Mets – John Franco (DS), Armando Benitez (NLCS, WS)
2003 Florida Marlins – Ugueth Urbina (DS, NLCS, WS), Braden Looper (NLCS)
2003 Chicago Cubs – Joe Borowski (DS), Mike Remlinger (NLCS)
2003 Boston Red Sox – Derek Lowe (DS), Scott Williamson (ALCS)
2005 Chicago White Sox – Bobby Jenks (DS, WS), Mark Buehrle (WS)
2007 Colorado Rockies – Manny Corpas (DS, NLCS), Ryan Speier (NLCS)
2008 Tampa Bay Rays – Dan Wheeler (DS), David Price (ALCS)
2009 Philadelphia Phillies – Brad Lidge (DS, NLCS), Ryan Madson (WS)
2010 Texas Rangers – Darren Oliver (ALCS), Neftali Feliz (WS)
2011 Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde (DS, ALCS), Phil Coke (ALCS)
2012 Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde (DS), Phil Coke (ALCS)
2014 San Francisco Giants – Santiago Castilla (DS, NLCS, WS), Hunter Strickland (DS), Madison Bumgarner (WS)
2015 Texas Rangers – Sam Dyson (DS), Ross Ohlendorf (DS)

 

Cardinals pitchers who clinched a post season Series: From Alexander to Rosenthal

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At the end of the World Series, I wrote a blog post where I paid tribute to every single Boston Red Sox pitcher who threw the clinching pitch in a post season series.

It was a fascinating walk down the proverbial baseball memory lane. But this is not exclusively a Red Sox blog. And with the St. Louis Cardinals making the World Series, there are many post seasons to revisit with them as well.

The Cardinals have one of the most storied franchises in history and some great Hall of Famers have thrown the final pitch in October, plus a few obscure names as well.

St. Louis fans cheered at the end of 27 total playoff series, including 9 Division Series, 7 NLCS, 11 World Series and the 2012 Wild Card Game.

No post season series won by the Cardinals finished with an offensive play. There are no series walk off hits in St. Louis history.

Here are the Cardinal pitchers who delivered the ultimate triumph.

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GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER

Game 7, 1926 World Series

Cardinals 3, Yankees 2

October 10, 1926

At Yankee Stadium
2 1/3 innings of relief of starter Jesse Haines for the save.

FINAL OUT: Babe Ruth caught stealing, catcher to shortstop.
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BILL HALLAHAN
Game 7, 1931 World Series

Cardinals 4. Athletics 2

October 10, 1931

At Sportsman Park, St. Louis
1/3 of an inning of relief of starter Burleigh Grimes for the save.

FINAL OUT: Max Bishop flies out to center fielder Pepper Martin.
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DIZZY DEAN

Game 7, 1934 World Series

Cardinals 11, Tigers 0

October 9, 1934
At Briggs Stadium, Detroit

Complete game 6 hit shutout.

FINAL OUT: Marv Owen hits into a force to shortstop Leo Durocher who throws to second baseman Frankie Frisch to retire Billy Rogell.

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JOHNNY BEAZLEY
Game 5, 1942 World Series

Cardinals 4, Yankees 2

October 5, 1942
At Yankee Stadium

Complete game victory.

FINAL OUT: George Selkirk grounds to second baseman Jimmy Brown who throws to first baseman Johnny Hopp for the out.

 

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TED WILKS
Game 6, 1944 World Series

Cardinals 3, Browns 1

October 9, 1944
At Sportsman Park

3 2/3 innings of shutout relief of Max Lainer for the save.

FINAL OUT: Strikeout of pinch hitter Mike Chartak.

 

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HARRY BRECHEEN
Game 7, 1946 World Series

Cardinals 4, Red Sox 3

October 15, 1946
At Sportsman Park

2 innings of relief for starter Murry Dickson for the win.

FINAL OUT: Tom McBride grounds out to second baseman Red Schoendienst who throws to shortstop Marty Marion to force out Pinky Higgins.

 

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BOB GIBSON

Game 7, 1964 World Series

Cardinals 7, Yankees 5

October 15, 1964
At Sportsman Park

Complete Game Victory.

FINAL OUT: Bobby Richardson pops up to second baseman Dal Maxvill.

Game 7, 1967 World Series

Cardinals 7, Red Sox 2

October 12, 1967
At Fenway Park

Complete Game Victory.

FINAL OUT: Strikeout of George Scott.

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BRUCE SUTTER

Game 3. 1982 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 6, Braves 2

October 10, 1982
Atlanta – Fulton County Stadium

2 1/3 innings of relief for starter Joaquin Andujar for the save.

FINAL OUT: Chris Chambliss flies out to left fielder Lonnie Smith.

Game 7, 1982 World Series

Cardinals 6, Brewers 3

October 20, 1982
Busch Stadium, St. Louis

2 innings of relief for starter Joaquin Andujar for the save.

FINAL OUT: Strikeout of Gorman Thomas.

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KEN DAYLEY

Game 6, 1985 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 7, Dodgers 5

October 16, 1985
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

1 inning of relief for starter Joaquin Andujar and reliever Todd Worrell for the save.

FINAL OUT: Pedro Guerrero flies out to center fielder Willie McGee.

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DANNY COX

Game 7, 1987 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 6, Giants 0

October 14, 1987
Busch Stadium

Complete Game 8 hit shutout.

FINAL OUT: Chili Davis flies out to left fielder Vince Coleman.

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DENNIS ECKERSLEY
Game 3, 1996 National League Division Series

Cardinals 7, Padres 5

October 5, 1996
Jack Murphy Stadium, San Dieg0

1 Inning of relief of four pitchers including starter Donovan Osborne for the save.

FINAL OUT: Steve Finley flies out to centerfielder Ray Lankford.

 

Cardinals pitcher Dave Veres in the sixth inning.

DAVE VERES

Game 3, 2000 National League Division Series

Cardinals 7, Braves 1

October 7, 2000
Turner Field, Atlanta

1 inning of relief for four pitchers including starter Garrett Stephenson and winner Britt Rheames.

FINAL OUT: Paul Bako strikes out.

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JASON ISRINGHAUSEN

Game 3, 2002 National League Division Series

Cardinals 6, Diamondbacks 3

October 5, 2002
Busch Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Andy Benes and three other relievers for the save.

FINAL OUT: David Delucci grounds to second baseman Fernando Vina who throws to first baseman Tino Martinez.

Game 4, 2004 National League Division Series

Cardinals 6, Dodgers 2

October 10, 2004
Dodger Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Jeff Suppan and two other relievers.

FINAL OUT: Alex Cora strikes out.
Game 7, 2004 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 5, Astros 2

October 21, 2004
Busch Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Jeff Suppan and two other relievers for the save.

FINAL OUT: Jose Vizcaino grounds out to second baseman Tony Womack who throws to first baseman Albert Pujols for the out.

Game 3, 2005 National League Division Series

Cardinals 7, Padres 4

October 8, 2005
PetCo Park, San Diego

1 1/3 innings of relief for starter Matt Morris and three other relievers for the save.

FINAL OUT: Ryan Klesko grounds to Isringhausen who throws to first baseman Albert Pujols for the out.

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ADAM WAINWRIGHT

Game 4, 2006 National League Division Series

Cardinals 6, Padres 2

October 8, 2006
Busch Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Chris Carpenter and two other relievers.

FINAL OUT: Dave Roberts grounds out to first baseman Albert Pujols.

Game 7, 2006 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 3, Mets 1

October 19, 2006
Shea Stadium, New York

1 inning of relief for starter Jeff Suppan and winning pitcher Randy Flores for the save.

FINAL OUT: Carlos Beltran called out on strikes.

Game 5, 2006 World Series

Cardinals 4, Tigers 2

October 27, 2006
Busch Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Jeff Weaver.

FINAL OUT: Brandon Inge strikes out.

Game 5, 2013 National League Division Series

Cardinals 6, Pirates 1

October 9, 2013
Busch Stadium

Complete game victory

FINAL OUT: Pedro Alvarez strikes out.

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CHRIS CARPENTER

Game 5, 2011 National League Division Series

Cardinals 1, Phillies 0

October 7, 2011
Citizens Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia

Complete Game 3 Hit Shutout

FINAL OUT: Ryan Howard grounds out to second baseman Nick Punto who throws to first baseman Albert Pujols for the out.

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JASON MOTTE

Game 6, 2011 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 12, Brewers 6

October 16, 2011
Miller Park, Milwaukee

1 inning of relief for starter Edwin Jackson, winner, Marc Rzepczynski and three other relievers.

FINAL OUT: Pinch Hitter Mark Kotsay strikes out.

Game 7, 2011 World Series

Cardinals 6, Rangers 2

October 28, 2011
Busch Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Chris Carpenter and three other relievers.

FINAL OUT: David Murphy flies out to left fielder Allen Craig

 

2012 National League Wild Card Game

Cardinals 6, Braves 3

October 5, 2012
Turner Field

1 inning of relief for starter Kyle Lohse and four other relievers for the save.

FINAL OUT: Dan Uggla grounds out to second baseman Daniel Descalso who throws to first baseman Allen Craig for the out.

 

Game 5, 2012 National League Division Series

Cardinals 9, Nationals 7

October 12, 2012

Nationals Park, Washington

2 innings of relief for starter Adam Wainwright and four other relievers for the win.

FINAL OUT: Ryan Zimmerman pops up to second baseman Daniel Descalso.

 

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TREVOR ROSENTHAL

Game 6, 2013 National League Championship Series

Cardinals 9, Dodgers 0

October 18, 2013
Busch Stadium

1 inning of relief for starter Michael Wacha and reliever Carlos Martinez.

FINAL OUT:  Mark Ellis strikes out.

 

That’s quite a collection of Hall of Famers and some relievers you may have forgotten. Alexander, Dean, Gibson, Sutter and Eckersley are all in Cooperstown as of now.

Alexander had thrown a complete game victory in Game 6 of the 1926 World Series and earned the save in Game 7.

Likewise, Breechen won Game 6 as a starter and Game 7 as a reliever.

Bob Gibson, Bruce Sutter, Jason Isringhausen, Adam Wainwright and Jason Motte clinched multiple series. Wainwright is the only one to do so as both a starter and a reliever.

With the Cardinals pitching staff as deep as it is, no doubt this list will be updated very soon.