Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award


The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award was an annual award presented to the best relief pitcher in each league in Major League Baseball. It was established in by The Sporting News as the Fireman of the Year Award. At the time, no reliever had ever received a Cy Young Award vote. The Fireman of the Year Award originally recognized the reliever with the most combined saves and wins in each league in MLB. The magazine had started publishing the then-unofficial save statistic that same year. Later, a save was worth two points compared to one for a save in determining the winner. In the award was chosen based on consensus from TSN editors, and it was renamed to Reliever of the Year Award. The award was last issued in 2010 before being discontinued.

Fireman of the Year Award winners

YearAmerican LeagueTeamNational LeagueTeam
Mike FornielesBoston Red SoxLindy McDanielSt. Louis Cardinals
Luis ArroyoNew York YankeesStu MillerSan Francisco Giants
Dick RadatzBoston Red SoxRoy FacePittsburgh Pirates
Stu Miller Baltimore OriolesLindy McDaniel Chicago Cubs
Dick Radatz Boston Red SoxAl McBeanPittsburgh Pirates
Eddie FisherChicago White SoxTed AbernathyChicago Cubs
Jack AkerKansas City A'sPhil ReganLos Angeles Dodgers
Minnie RojasCalifornia AngelsTed Abernathy Cincinnati Reds
Wilbur WoodChicago White SoxPhil Regan Chicago Cubs
Ron PerranoskiMinnesota TwinsWayne GrangerCincinnati Reds
Ron Perranoski Minnesota TwinsWayne Granger Cincinnati Reds
Ken SandersMilwaukee BrewersDave GiustiPittsburgh Pirates
Sparky LyleNew York YankeesClay CarrollCincinnati Reds
John HillerDetroit TigersMike MarshallMontreal Expos
Terry ForsterChicago White SoxMike Marshall Los Angeles Dodgers
Rich GossageChicago White SoxAl HraboskySt. Louis Cardinals
Bill CampbellMinnesota TwinsRawly EastwickCincinnati Reds
Bill Campbell Boston Red SoxRollie FingersSan Diego Padres
Rich Gossage New York YankeesRollie Fingers San Diego Padres
Jim Kern
Mike Marshall
Texas Rangers
Minnesota Twins
Bruce SutterChicago Cubs
Dan QuisenberryKansas City RoyalsRollie Fingers
Tom Hume
San Diego Padres
Cincinnati Reds
Rollie Fingers Milwaukee BrewersBruce Sutter St. Louis Cardinals
Dan Quisenberry Kansas City RoyalsBruce Sutter St. Louis Cardinals
Dan Quisenberry Kansas City RoyalsAl Holland
Lee Smith
Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Cubs
Dan Quisenberry Kansas City RoyalsBruce Sutter St. Louis Cardinals
Dan Quisenberry Kansas City RoyalsJeff ReardonMontreal Expos
Dave RighettiNew York YankeesTodd WorrellSt. Louis Cardinals
Jeff Reardon
Dave Righetti
Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees
Steve BedrosianPhiladelphia Phillies
Dennis EckersleyOakland AthleticsJohn FrancoCincinnati Reds
Jeff RussellTexas RangersMark DavisSan Diego Padres
Bobby ThigpenChicago White SoxJohn Franco New York Mets
Dennis Eckersley
Bryan Harvey
Oakland Athletics
California Angels
Lee Smith St. Louis Cardinals
Dennis Eckersley Oakland AthleticsDoug Jones
Lee Smith
Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals
Jeff MontgomeryKansas City RoyalsRandy MyersChicago Cubs
Lee Smith Baltimore OriolesJohn Franco New York Mets
José MesaCleveland IndiansRandy Myers Chicago Cubs
John WettelandNew York YankeesTrevor HoffmanSan Diego Padres
Mariano RiveraNew York YankeesJeff ShawCincinnati Reds
Tom GordonBoston Red SoxTrevor Hoffman San Diego Padres
Mariano Rivera New York YankeesUgueth UrbinaMontreal Expos
Todd JonesDetroit TigersAntonio AlfonsecaFlorida Marlins

Reliever of the Year Award winners

YearAmerican LeagueTeamNational LeagueTeam
Mariano Rivera New York YankeesArmando Benítez
Robb Nen
New York Mets
San Francisco Giants
Billy KochOakland AthleticsJohn SmoltzAtlanta Braves
Keith FoulkeOakland AthleticsÉric GagnéLos Angeles Dodgers
Mariano Rivera New York YankeesÉric Gagné Los Angeles Dodgers
Mariano Rivera
Joe Nathan
New York Yankees
Minnesota Twins
Chad CorderoWashington Nationals
Francisco RodríguezLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimTrevor Hoffman San Diego Padres
Joe BorowskiCleveland IndiansJosé ValverdeArizona Diamondbacks
Francisco Rodríguez Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimBrad LidgePhiladelphia Phillies
Mariano Rivera New York YankeesRyan FranklinSt. Louis Cardinals
Rafael SorianoTampa Bay RaysHeath BellSan Diego Padres