Francisco Rodriguez set the MLB record for saves in 2008 with 62 saves in 68.1 innings pitched. During that season, Rodriguez had 77 strikeouts with an ERA of 2.24. An All-Star that year, he finished in third place for the American League Cy Young award behind Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay.
Rodriguez, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during his record-setting season in 2008. Throughout his 16-year career, he had a total of 437 saves and 1,142 strikeouts with a 2.86 ERA. Rodriguez retired in 2017.
The top five single-season saves leaders in MLB history are:
- Francisco Rodriguez, 62 saves (2008)
- Edwin Diaz, 57 saves (2018)
- Bobby Thigpen, 57 saves (1990)
- Eric Gagne, 55 saves (2003)
- John Smoltz, 55 saves (2002)