I remember back in 1990, there was no closer more dominant than the Chicago White Sox's own Bobby Thigpen. In that season, Thigpen set the MLB record for saves with 57, blowing by the old MLB save record in a single season by 11. Dave Righetti, of the New York Yankees, had set the new standard for saves in a single season with his 46 in 1986. Thigpen, four years later, would smash that one.
He wasn't the best closer in the game before 1990, or even after. But whatever it was during that season, something clicked with him. He was able to catch lightning in a bottle, which very few closers can do.
Thigpen's single-season MLB save record stood for eighteen years until Francisco Rodriguez set the new mark with 62 in 2008.
Bobby Thigpen's 1990 Season At A Glance
57 saves, led MLB and set a new single-season record
He was selected for his first All-Star Game
Had a career low 1.84 ERA that season, the lowest of his career
Saved 30 games on the road, with a 1.70 ERA. Home teams only hit .144
In June of that season, he posted a 1-0 record, while saving 10 games with a 1.35 ERA
Dominated the New York Yankees. 1-0, 8 saves, 1.13 ERA. He allowed one ER in 8 games
Bobby Thigpen Stats
