Several starting pitchers have made a move to the bullpen pay off in a big way. A few of the best:
1. Dennis Eckersley
After winning 197 games as a starter, the Eck moved to the bullpen and became a dominant closer, saving 390 games. He was inducted this year into the Hall of Fame.
2. John Smoltz
The right-hander won 163 games for the Braves before moving to the bullpen four years ago. He already has 145 saves, including 36 this season.
3. Eric Gagne
Most people don’t realize that he went 11-14 in 48 starts for the Dodgers from 1999-2001. Since moving into the bullpen in ’02, Gagne has 144 saves, including a record 84 in a row.
4. Tom Gordon
He was in the rotation for six seasons and went 97-90 over 203 starts. The former Cubs and Sox pitcher has spent the last nine seasons in the bullpen and has 114 saves.
5. Dave Giusti
He won 100 games as starter for five years with Houston before spending the next 10 seasons in the bullpen, earning 145 saves.
6. Ron Kline
He started 203 games from 1952-62 before being converted to a reliever. He saved 102 games in 10 seasons, with a high of 29 for Washington in 1965.
And don’t forget . . .
– Charlie Hough, 216 wins as starter, 61 saves.
– Firpo Mayberry, 148 wins, 101 saves.
– Ron Reed, 146 wins, 103 saves.
– Ellis Kinder, 102 wins, 102 saves.
