Why is the save the most overrated and worthless baseball statistic ever?

Question

I mean why should anyone get credit for a save when ..

1. a pitcher never faces the tying/winning run?

2. a pitcher gives up earned runs?

very frustrating watching Krod and Mo both come into games today and get 1 out, never face the tying run and yet both get saves.

Answer 1

I've been torn about the save stat for a while, but I think the save is likely the most overrated statistic in baseball because of the money that teams pay to bring in "shut out closers" who really might just be barely better than the likes of, Scot Shields in LAA and Hideki Okajima in BOS.

Sure you could always argue a closer's ERA and WHIP are normally light years better than some other "premier" relievers, but that's because closers often pitch less innings and are always given the advantage of having a lead or tie as you said.

I can see the whole mental aspect of closing a game, especially in the postseason when your team counts on you to win.  But are the true saviors the pitchers who close out the game or the players who win it in the first place?  The players, obviously.

Answer 2

sounds like we have a fan of a team that has a S****y closer...

and if u think save is overrated, try slugging percentage.

Answer 3

Well you are refering to the Al closers whihc ismuch different from NL. The DH ruins the game because less coaching is involved and the demandf or bench players is lower. In the AL the bench players never play and are just bodies in case something bad happens. In the NL the bench players actually play baseball. So in the 9th in the coaches makes major changes like PH and double switches to increase offense in the last couple of innings. So NL closers will face better batters usually becasue by the 9th innning, the pitching spot in the lineup ends up around the 7th hole. And the coaches creates mismatches by PH a lefty batter against a RHP. ALso it is a gut-check. Some of the best players got no balls in the later innings and thats why u have closers, becasue no one else can handle the pressure of single handingly losing thegaem fortheir team.

Answer 4

As a Rangers fan, I could bring up Wes Littleton's "save" when the Rangers won 30-3 last year at Baltimore. . .but I won't.

By the way, I think Holds are more overrated.

Answer 5

Not really. Some guys can't come in in the 9th inning and hold on to a lead. So, I don't think the stat is overrated at all.

Answer 6

saves determine good relievers from bad ones

Answer 7

its not the most over rated stat it is said in baseball that the last 3 outs are the hardest to get...and to get a save it has to be within 3 runs when you come into the game...the closer has to face at least 3 hitters witch would make the 3ed out the tying run...and in the era of the homerun the closer is one of the most important jobs on a baseball team.

Answer 8

eh...a Save makes sense to me. Someone needs to put the game away

Answer 9

Holds by a pitcher.

On Base Percentage for hitters.

Answer 10

ummmm......

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Answer 11

Any and all statistics are useless. It'sa GAME and NOTHING ever statisfied has EVER nor WILL EVER change the world or make it better.