Ranking the Top Five Pirates Closers Since the 2000 Season
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the closer's role has always been a strength for the team since they started keeping track of saves. From Kent Tekulve to Elroy Face the Pirates have regularly had a reliable arm for the ninth inning. Today, we will be ranking the top five players to hold the closer's role since the 2000 season. It is one of the best moments in a game for the home team's fans when their team is winning heading into the ninth. The video board goes black, the music gets a little bit louder, and the anticipation in the stadium begins to build. The video board suddenly lights up with a highlight reel full if strikeouts and game-winning plays as the closer comes barrelling out of the bullpen for another save opportunity. Over the last several years, a save opportunity has been almost guaranteed for the Pirates with one of their top arms serving as closer. Each of Pittsburgh's last four closers has at least made one all-star game appearance and has reco...