When you think of the greatest eras in Phillies history, the primary closers aren’t at the top of the franchise’s all-time saves leaderboard, as you might expect. They’re up there, but at the very top of the list are firemen who sealed a lot of victories amid a lot of losing.
With that in mind, here are the Phillies’ top 10 all-time regular-season saves leaders, per Baseball Reference:
No. 1: Jonathan Papelbon, 123
One of the least popular Phillies in recent history — who signed with the team after the 2011 season in hopes of winning and demanded a trade to contender in 2015 — is the Phillies’ G.O.A.T. of save accumulation. He racked up 123 (blowing only 15) in less than four playoff-less seasons after leaving the Boston Red Sox — where he became, and is still, that franchise’s saves leader as well. His 368 career saves ranks 11th all time.
No. 2: José Mesa, 112
Mesa came to the Phillies in 2001 and left after the 2003 season, but he skyrocketed up the franchise saves leaderboard in that short span. He crossed the 40-save mark twice in those three years — in dominant 2001 and 2002 seasons in which he posted ERAs below 3.00 — blowing 17 in total. Once Aroldis Chapman earns one more save, Mesa’s 321 will rank 22nd all time.
No. 3: Steve Bedrosian, 103
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