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Who is considered the Phillies greatest all-time closer?

T

TheBigUglies

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Oct 26, 2021
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Phlebitis said:
I will never forgive Mitch Williams for taking years off my life before ruining sports forever for me.
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I agree. In the Canadian pavilion at EpCot they show a video of that horrible pitch in '94 celebrating a Canadian team winning a World Series.

I am going to go with Tugger as well.
 
NedFromYork

NedFromYork

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Aug 29, 2001
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The highest-ranked primary reliever/closer in Philadelphia Phillies franchise history by career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is Tug McGraw, who generated 13.8 WAR during his decade-long tenure with the team.While it is common to judge a closer by their total saves—a category led by Jonathan Papelbon with 123—WAR measures a pitcher's total value, accounting for multiple-inning appearances and context.The all-time Phillies relievers and closers who recorded at least 30 saves for the franchise are ranked below by their Baseball-Reference WAR earned specifically while playing for Philadelphia:All-Time Phillies WAR
 
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LionJim

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
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NedFromYork said:
The highest-ranked primary reliever/closer in Philadelphia Phillies franchise history by career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is Tug McGraw, who generated 13.8 WAR during his decade-long tenure with the team.While it is common to judge a closer by their total saves—a category led by Jonathan Papelbon with 123—WAR measures a pitcher's total value, accounting for multiple-inning appearances and context.The all-time Phillies relievers and closers who recorded at least 30 saves for the franchise are ranked below by their Baseball-Reference WAR earned specifically while playing for Philadelphia:All-Time Phillies WAR
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Huh. Did not see that coming.
 
R

rigi19041

Sophomore
Apr 1, 2026
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NedFromYork said:
The highest-ranked primary reliever/closer in Philadelphia Phillies franchise history by career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is Tug McGraw, who generated 13.8 WAR during his decade-long tenure with the team.While it is common to judge a closer by their total saves—a category led by Jonathan Papelbon with 123—WAR measures a pitcher's total value, accounting for multiple-inning appearances and context.The all-time Phillies relievers and closers who recorded at least 30 saves for the franchise are ranked below by their Baseball-Reference WAR earned specifically while playing for Philadelphia:All-Time Phillies WAR
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War Is a GARBAgE made up stat that did not even exist when Mcgraw played.

Players don't generate war. It is an ESTIMATE.


Ps. Sometimes the replacement with the lower war actually wins more games.
 
R

rigi19041

Sophomore
Apr 1, 2026
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LionJim said:
Huh. Did not see that coming.
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Bogus stat. WAR is an estimate. Papelbon has way more saves in half as many games.


Closers did not even exist 50 years ago. It was a bullpen by committee.


Closers usually are not around too long. Many one and done. Here today gone tomorrow.


Best closer for one year was probably al Holland.
 
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nittanymoops

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2004
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rigi19041 said:
Bogus stat. WAR is an estimate. Papelbon has way more saves in half as many games.


Closers did not even exist 50 years ago. It was a bullpen by committee.


Closers usually are not around too long. Many one and done. Here today gone tomorrow.


Best closer for one year was probably al Holland.
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Best closer for one year for the Phils was, is and probably always will be Lidge. 48/48 and a dogpile is really hard to beat.

Career would be Tug, but I agree that closers were not a real specialty until Bruce Sutter in the late 70s/early 80s when McGraw’s career was winding down.
 
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LionJim

LionJim

Heisman
Oct 12, 2021
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nittanymoops said:
Best closer for one year for the Phils was, is and probably always will be Lidge. 48/48 and a dogpile is really hard to beat.

Career would be Tug, but I agree that closers were not a real specialty until Bruce Sutter in the late 70s/early 80s when McGraw’s career was winding down.
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McGraw was sort of a goofball and this might be influencing my “eh” opinion of him. But he played on two World Championship teams, that’s always part of the equation. A tough guy, none tougher.
 
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