Kansas City Royals Top Five Relief Pitchers

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past couple of months, we have taken a trip down memory lane, going over the top five players in the history of the Kansas City Royals. We began by looking at the catcher position, and with our review of the best relief pitchers in Kansas City Royals history, we will have reviewed the players with the best careers over the 45 years of the Royals franchise.

Like some of the other positions in Kansas City Royals history, relief pitching has historically been a strength of the franchise. Dating back from the Golden Era of Royals baseball through present, it seems as though the Royals have always had that shutdown closer, that pitcher who made the ninth inning a foregone conclusion. It truly is amazing at how the Royals have managed to have such an excellent history in relief.

And so, we will take a look back at the five relievers that have had the best careers with the Kansas City Royals. Even if their total Wins Above Replacement scores do not indicate as much, the list that follows encompasses some of the truly best players in Royals history. As per the previous treks back through team history, the Fangraphs.com Wins Above Replacement category was used as a guide in determining the list.

To be considered for this list, a pitcher needed to have over half of their career appearances for the Royals come in relief. Therefore, Tom Gordon, who started 144 of his 274 games, just missed the cut.

We will be back next week looking over the greatest lineup the Royals could have, based on the best seasons at each position. But for now, sit back and enjoy this trip through the best relievers the Royals had to offer.

Next: A brilliant Rule V draft pick

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

4. Doug Bird (1973-1978, 10.7 WAR)

If I was to ask you who, according to Wins Above Replacement, was thought to be the third best relief pitcher in Kansas City Royals history, Doug Bird may not come to mind. Yet, that is exactly where he presently stands, although his grasp on that spot is tenuous, given that Greg Holland is lurking just behind.

Discounting that 1976 season when the Royals placed Bird in the rotation, he was quite the solid reliever. He was remarkably durable, hailing from an era when relievers typically lasted more than an inning or two. In fact, Bird averaged over two innings per relief appearance and is second in Royals history with 16 saves of three or more innings.

While his numbers may not overwhelm, Bird was a solid reliever at a time when relief pitching was generally an afterthought. He produced a 49-36 record with 58 saves, a 3.56 ERA and a 1.245 WHiP in his six seasons with the Royals. His rookie season, when Bird posted a 2.99 ERA, a 1.075 WHiP and finished fourth in the American League with 20 saves.

Doug Bird may not be one of the first names that come to mind when the best relievers in Kansas City Royals history are discussed, but he certainly deserves his place on this list.

Next: The best closer in baseball today

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3. Greg Holland (2010-present, 9.5 WAR)

Over the past two seasons, the Kansas City Royals have become known for their amazing defense and their stellar bullpen. In particular, the bullpen Cerberus of Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera earned plenty of national recognition last season, especially given the Royals playoff run.

Since stepping in as the Royals closer part way through the 2012 season, Holland has been virtually untouchable. In his two full seasons closing, Holland has made the All-Star team, finished ninth in the Cy Young vote both years and earned MVP votes. In fact, those two years have earned Holland the distinction of being the best closer in baseball.

It is certainly easy to see why that would be the case. Thus far in Holland’s time with the Royals, he has posted a 2.19 ERA and a 1.069 WHiP, saving 113 games. However, those career totals do not do justice to Holland’s performance over the past two seasons, where he has cemented his place in the pantheon of closers. Over those past two seasons, Holland has notched 93 saves with a 1.32 ERA and a 0.889 WHiP, striking out 193 batters in 129.1 innings of work.

If the Royals and Greg Holland ever do come to terms on the long debated extension, then he could end up as the greatest reliever in Kansas City Royals history. He certainly appears to be well on his way right now.

Next: The all time Royals saves leader

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jeff Montgomery (1988-1999, 13.6 WAR)

27 years ago yesterday, the Kansas City Royals sent Van Snider to the Cincinnati Reds for a struggling pitcher named Jeff Montgomery. A year and a half later, Montgomery was on his way to putting together a solid career and becoming the Royals all time leader in saves.

While Montgomery never earned a Cy Young vote, he still earned recognition for his work as the Royals closer. He was a three time All-Star and finished 13th in the 1993 MVP ballot. That same season, Montgomery was named the American League Relief Pitcher of the Year, as he led the American League with 45 saves while posting a 2.27 ERA and a 1.008 WHiP.

Overall in his time with the Royals, Montgomery notched 304 saves while posting a 3.20 ERA and 1.233 WHiP. While not the classic flamethrower that one sees as a closer now, Montgomery struck out 720 batters in 849.1 innings of work. Taking over from one of the best relievers of his era in Dan Quisenberry, Montgomery proved to be an excellent replacement.

It is unfortunate that Jeff Montgomery only got to experience the end of the Kansas City Royals run of relevance during the late 1980’s and into the early 1990’s. He was a very good player who did not get nearly the recognition he deserved.

Next: The gold standard

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

1. Dan Quisenberry (1979-1988, 15.2 WAR)

A submarine pitcher who relied upon impeccable control and an uncanny ability to generate ground balls, Dan Quisenberry likely would not be a closer in this day and age. In fact, it is worth wondering how much of a chance he would receive, considering he once stated that he did not fear losing his fastball because he did not have one. Quisenberry also once said that he may be the only relief pitcher with more saves than strikeouts, which in 1984, when he struck out 41 batters yet recorded 44 saves, was an accurate assessment.

Yet, despite not being able to throw a baseball through a sheet of paper, Quisenberry was one of the truly elite closers in baseball during his prime. He was a three time All-Star, finished in the top three in the Cy Young ballot four consecutive years and even managed a third place finish in the 1984 MVP vote. Quisenberry also won five Reliever of the Year awards, including four consecutive from 1982 through 1985.

During his time with the Kansas City Royals, Quisenberry compiled 238 saves with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.150 WHiP. Contrary to his self-effacing assessment of his pitching, Quisenberry did manage to strike out 321 batters, giving him just a few more strikeouts than saves. He also walked only 139 batters, 58 of which were intentional, in 920.1 innings. It was truly amazing to watch him pitch.

He may not have been the prototypical closer even back then, but Dan Quisenberry is still the greatest closer in Kansas City Royals history.

Next: Kansas City Royals Top Five Starting Pitchers