[1][2][3][4] Most commonly a relief pitcher ("reliever" or "closer") earns a save by being the final pitcher of a game in which his team is winning by three or fewer runs and pitching at least one inning without losing the lead.
Only eight pitchers have recorded 400 or more saves: Rivera, Hoffman, Lee Smith, Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, Francisco Rodríguez, John Franco, and Billy Wagner.
Rollie Fingers was the first player to record 300 saves, reaching the mark on August 21, 1982.
The New York Mets are the only franchise to see three players reach the milestone while on their roster—John Franco, Billy Wagner, and Jason Isringhausen.
Only nine relievers – Dennis Eckersley, Fingers, Goose Gossage, Hoffman, Rivera, Smith, Bruce Sutter, Wagner, and Wilhelm – have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame;[9] all but Wilhelm also have at least 300 saves.