Cleveland Indians Closers

Here is the unofficial evolution of the closer role for the Indians (currently dating back to 1990).  The list was compiled primarily through newspaper archives and baseball-reference’s save opportunity statistics. When closers were not officially named by the manager, common sense was used to determine who should be given the title based on number and percentage of the team’s save opportunities over a given time period.

2019

  • Opening Day: Brad Hand

2018

  • Opening Day: Cody Allen
  • Brad Hand acquired at deadline. Allen (6 saves) and Hand (8) used based on matchups for rest of season.

2017

  • Opening Day: Cody Allen

2016

  • Opening Day: Cody Allen
  • Andrew Miller acquired at deadline. Used occasionally based on matchups (3 saves)

2015

  • Opening Day: Cody Allen

2014

  • Opening Day: John Axford
  • Closer by committee after Axford demoted (Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw)
  • Cody Allen took over in late May

2013

  • Opening Day: Chris Perez
  • Vinnie Pestano took over with Perez in DL in June
  • Chris Perez reclaimed job when returning from DL
  • Closer by committee used at end of season (Joe Smith recorded one save)

2012

  • Opening Day: Chris Perez

2011

  • Opening Day: Chris Perez

2010

  • Opening Day: Chris Perez
  • Kerry Wood took over when returning from DL
  • Perez took over when Wood was demoted in July and eventually traded to the Yankees

2009

  • Opening Day: Kerry Wood
  • Others: Wood struggled early and Jensen Lewis, Rafael Betancourt were given a small handful of opportunities but Wood never officially lost the job

2008

  • Opening Day: Joe Borowski
  • Rafael Betancourt took over when Borowski went on DL in April
  • Borowski reclaimed job when he returned from DL
  • Masa Kobayashi took over after Borowski designated for assignment
  • Jensen Lewis took over in August

2007

  • Opening Day: Joe Borowski

2006

  • Opening Day: Bob Wickman
  • Closer by committee after Wickman was traded (Jason Davis recorded one save)
  • Tom Mastny took over in August
  • Rafael Betancourt took over in late September after Mastny blew consecutive saves

2005

  • Opening Day: Bob Wickman

2004

  • Opening Day: David Riske
  • Jose Jimenez replaced Riske in late April
  • Riske reclaimed job in early July
  • Bob Wickman took over after turning from DL in late July

2003

  • Opening Day: Danys Baez
  • David Riske promoted in late August
  • Others: Bob Wickman missed entire season due to Tommy John surgery

2002

  • Opening Day: Bob Wickman
  • Mark Wohlers took over after Wickman went on DL in July
  • Danys Baez promoted to closer in late August

2001

  • Opening Day: Bob Wickman
  • John Rocker took over after being acquired in a June trade
  • Wickman reclaimed the job after Rocker blew two saves, and blew two tie games in July

2000

  • Opening Day: Steve Karsay
  • Bob Wickman took over after being acquired at the trade deadline

1999

  • Opening Day: Mike Jackson
  • Others: Paul Shuey recorded five saves as the primary backup closer

1998

  • Opening Day: Mike Jackson
  • Others: Paul Assenmacher was used on occasion due to matchups as a lefty specialist.

1997

  • Opening Day: Paul Shuey
  • Jose Mesa missed start of season due to rape charges but rejoined team in mid April.
  • Mike Jackson took over when Mesa was demoted after struggled in early May.
  • Mesa reclaimed job in August.
  • Others: Paul Assenmacher was Jackson’s primary backup. Al Morman picked up a few saves due to lefty/lefty matchups.

1996

  • Opening Day: Jose Mesa
  • Paul Shuey unofficially took over briefly while Mesa struggled in July. Mesa went from June 30 to July 22 between saves.

1995

  • Opening Day: Jose Mesa
  • Others: Eric Plunk was primary option when Mesa was unavailable.

1994

  • Opening Day: Steve Farr
  • Paul Shuey took over for Farr in June.
  • Jeff Russell took over after trade on July 1.
  • Others: Jerry Dipoto may have been closer, but missed most of season due to cancer.

1993

  • Opening Day: Derek Lilliquist and Eric Plunk based on matchups.
  • Jerry Dipoto took over in late August.
  • Others: Jeremy Hernandez used occasionally.

1992

  • Opening Day – Steve Olin
  • Others: Derek Lilliquist was primary backup. Ted Power was the “long relief closer” with multiple saves of 2+ innings.

1991

  • Opening Day – Doug Jones
  • Shawn Hillegas takes over when Jones demoted in May
  • Steve Olin takes over for Hillegas in June

1990

  • Opening Day – Doug Jones
[table “” not found /]

All data compiled by Ryan McCrystal