Top 5 Dodgers Relief Pitchers in History
When baseball fans think of Dodger pitching, legendary starters like Sandy Koufax, Clayton Kershaw, and Don Drysdale usually steal the spotlight. Yet, championships and pennants throughout franchise history were just as often preserved in the late innings. Ranking the best Dodgers relief pitchers requires weighing explosive, short-lived peaks against decades of steady, high-leverage durability.
From the Brooklyn era through modern October runs, the Dodgers have fielded bullpen aces who reshaped how late-game leads were defended. Here is the definitive breakdown of the five greatest relief pitchers to ever wear Dodger Blue, based on dominance, postseason impact, and historical value.
1. Kenley Jansen: Longevity and Franchise Dominance
No discussion about the best Dodgers relief pitchers can start anywhere other than Kenley Jansen. Converted from a light-hitting minor-league catcher into a pitcher in 2009, Jansen reached the majors by 2010 armed with a vicious, naturally cutting fastball that drew instant comparisons to Mariano Rivera.
Over 12 seasons in Los Angeles (2010–2021), Jansen rewrote the team record books. He racked up 350 saves—more than double the runner-up in franchise history—while posting a microscopic 2.37 ERA across 705 regular-season appearances. His signature cutter routinely broke bats and baffled hitters, resulting in a staggering 13.0 strikeouts per nine innings as a Dodger.
Beyond the regular season volume, Jansen was Dave Roberts’ ultimate security blanket during Los Angeles' perennial postseason runs. While he endured a few high-profile October hiccups, Jansen pitched in 57 postseason games for the Dodgers, compiling a 2.13 ERA, 19 postseason saves, and playing an indispensable role in securing the 2020 World Series title. His blend of raw stuff, longevity, and consistency sets the standard for modern Dodgers relievers.
2. Eric Gagne: The Peak of 'Game Over'
If Jansen takes the crown for long-term production, Eric Gagne owns the most electrifying peak of any reliever in baseball history. Originally a struggling starting pitcher, Gagne shifted to the bullpen in 2002 and immediately transformed into an unhittable force, accompanied by Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" blaring through Dodger Stadium speakers.
From 2002 through 2004, Gagne converted an astonishing 84 consecutive save opportunities—a Major League record that remains untouchable. The pinnacle came in 2003, when he won the National League Cy Young Award, becoming one of only a handful of relievers ever to do so. That season, Gagne went 55-for-55 in save chances, posted a 1.20 ERA, and struck out 137 batters in 82.1 innings—an unreal strikeout rate of 44.8%.
Armed with an upper-90s fastball, a sharp curve, and a devastating vulcan changeup that plummeted below hitters' bats, Gagne turned the ninth inning into a mere formality. While injuries curtailed his career shortly thereafter, his 161 saves and sheer dominance easily cement his place among the best Dodgers relief pitchers ever to take the mound.
3. Ron Perranoski: The 1960s Fireman
Before the modern closer role existed, relievers were called "firemen," tasked with entering games in the sixth, seventh, or eighth inning to extinguish opposing rallies. Nobody did this better for Walter Alston’s clubs in the 1960s than left-hander Ron Perranoski.
Perranoski served as the primary late-inning stopper on teams anchored by Koufax and Drysdale. In 1963, he delivered one of the most remarkable relief campaigns in baseball lore: pitching 129 innings across 69 relief appearances, winning 16 games, saving 21, and logging an astounding 1.67 ERA. He finished fourth in NL MVP voting that season as the Dodgers swept the Yankees in the World Series.
Over eight years in Los Angeles (1961–1967, 1972), Perranoski recorded 100 saves and won two World Series rings. His ability to induce weak ground balls with a heavy sinking fastball made him the blueprint for future high-leverage southpaws.
4. Mike Marshall: The Iron Arm of 1974
Mike Marshall’s tenure with the Dodgers was relatively brief, but his 1974 campaign remains the most absurd display of relief endurance the sport has ever witnessed. Using an unorthodox training regimen and a paralyzing screwball, Marshall took the concept of a workhorse reliever to an extreme that will never be replicated.
In 1974, Marshall appeared in 106 games—a Major League record that still stands today. He threw 208.1 innings entirely in relief, finished 83 games, recorded 21 saves, won 15 games, and posted a 2.42 ERA. That workload earned him the 1974 NL Cy Young Award, making him the first relief pitcher in baseball history to capture the honor.
Marshall wasn't just racking up empty innings; he pitched with the pennant on the line nearly every other night, helping lead the Dodgers to the National League pennant. His sheer physical resilience earned him an undisputed spot on any list celebrating the best Dodgers relief pitchers.
5. Clem Labine: Brooklyn's October Anchor
To understand the roots of Dodger bullpen excellence, you have to look back to Ebbets Field. Clem Labine was the bridge between Brooklyn’s golden era and early Los Angeles baseball, serving as the trusted stopper for the legendary "Boys of Summer."
Armed with one of the sharpest curveballs of his era, Labine led the National League in saves twice (1955 and 1956) and pitched in four World Series for Brooklyn. In 1955, when Brooklyn finally captured its elusive first World Series championship against the Yankees, Labine was heroic: he pitched in four games during that seven-game classic, throwing 12 innings out of the bullpen to lock down crucial victories.
Labine spent nine seasons with the Dodgers organization, collecting 82 saves and 70 wins in relief. Beyond the numbers, his composure under the intense pressure of 1950s New York baseball cemented his legacy as a true pioneer of modern late-inning relief work.
Honorable Mentions: Jim Brewer and the Modern Bullpen
Selecting just five means leaving out several legendary arms. Jim Brewer deserves immense credit for his steady presence from 1964 to 1975, utilizing his famous screwball to notch 125 saves in Dodger Blue and a career 2.62 ERA with the club.
In the modern era, pitchers like Blake Treinen and Evan Phillips have carried on the legacy, anchoring lockdown bullpens during World Series championship runs. While modern usage prevents relievers from racking up 100-inning seasons, their high-leverage contributions show that elite relief pitching remains in the franchise's DNA.
Frequently asked questions
Who holds the Dodgers franchise record for all-time saves?
Kenley Jansen holds the Dodgers franchise record with 350 saves, recorded between 2010 and 2021. Eric Gagne ranks second with 161 saves.
Which Dodgers relief pitchers have won the Cy Young Award?
Two Dodgers relievers have won the Cy Young Award: Mike Marshall in 1974 (the first reliever in MLB history to win it) and Eric Gagne in 2003.
What was Eric Gagne's consecutive saves streak?
Eric Gagne converted 84 consecutive save opportunities between August 28, 2002, and July 5, 2004, setting an MLB record that still stands.
Why is Ron Perranoski considered one of the best Dodgers relief pitchers?
Ron Perranoski was a premier 'fireman' who threw heavy multi-inning outings late in games. In 1963, he threw 129 relief innings with a 1.67 ERA and won 16 games, helping lead Los Angeles to a World Series championship.