Mariner relief pitchers Kazuhiro Sasaki (left) and J.J. Putz.

Mariner relief pitchers Kazuhiro Sasaki (left) and J.J. Putz.

Best of the Mariners poll, part two: Relief pitchers

Cast your vote for the best-ever season by a Seattle Mariners relief pitcher.

Welcome to part two of the Herald’s Best of the Mariners poll series, which allows readers select the best seasons in Seattle Mariners history position by position. Tuesday’s position is relief pitcher. Here are the candidates:

ENRIQUE ROMO, 1977

Stats: 8-10, 2.83 ERA, 16 Sv, 114.1 IP, 93 H, 39 BB, 105 SO, 1.155 WHIP

BILL CAUDILL, 1982

Stats: 12-9, 2.35 ERA, 26 Sv, 95.2 IP, 65 H, 35 BB, 111 SO, 1.045 WHIP

KAZUHIRO SASAKI, 2001

Stats: 0-4, 3.24 ERA, 45 Sv, 66.2 IP, 48 H, 11 BB, 62 SO, 0.885 WHIP

J.J. PUTZ, 2007

Stats: 6-1, 1.38 ERA, 40 Sv, 71.2 IP, 37 H, 13 BB, 82 SO, 0.698 WHIP

Others worthy of consideration: Bill Swift, 1991; Arthur Rhodes, 2002; Shigetoshi Hasegawa, 2003.

If you vote for “other,” please specify who in the comments section.


Part one: Starting pitcher

Next: Catcher.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Archbishop Murphy senior Jevin Madison, who has rushed for 1,668 yards this season, at football practice on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Archbishop Murphy gets its football groove back

Coach Joe Cronin, running back Jevin Madison lead the Wildcats’ resurgence.

Lake Stevens’ Laura Eichert leaps in the air to hit the ball during the 4A district semifinal game on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Laura Eichert named state volleyball tournament MVP

The junior outside hitter led the Vikings to the Class 4A state semifinals.

Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks Mike Macdonald leads another defensive revival

Seattle’s head coach led a similar resurgence as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Nov. 16-23

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Nov. 17-23. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Seahawks’ linebacker Boye Mafe (53) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) as defensive end Leonard Williams (99) collapses the pocket during Seattle’s 16-6 win at Lumen Field on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
If Leonard Williams keeps this up, Mike Macdonald will have Seahawks defense he demands

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive end thrashed Arizona’s offense.

Tips Week in Review: Everett wins three, loses one

The Silvertips scored 16 goals and conceded nine last weekend.

Players and coaches for the eighth-seeded Lake Stevens High School girls soccer team celebrate their 1-0 victory against second-seeded Woodinville in the Class 4A state title game at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash., on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. This marked the first state title in program history for the Vikings. (Taras McCurdie / The Herald)
Lake Stevens girls soccer claims first state title

Noelani Tupua’s goal, Tessa Anastasi’s saves propel Vikings over Woodinville.

Seahawks linebacker Dre’Mont Jones (55) and Leonard Williams (99) celebrate after a play during Seattle’s 16-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks smother Cardinals, take NFC West lead

Seattle defense sacks Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray 5 times in 16-6 win.

Jevin Madison carries for Archbishop Murhpy on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Ferndale, Wash. The Wildcats will face Tumwater in the 2A semi-finals next weekend. (Photo courtesy of Zen Hill)
Archbishop Murphy edges Lynden, moves on to 2A state football semis

The Wildcats will play at No. 1 Tumwater on Saturday.

Arlington senior Chase Deberry dives into the end zone Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, during the Eagles’ 35-21 loss to Camas in a quarterfinal playoff game at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas. (Taylor Balkom / The Columbian)
No. 1 Camas knocks off Arlington in quarterfinals

The Eagles pull within a score but fall late at state.

Lake Stevens falls in state football quarterfinal

The Vikings’ remarkable run of state title games comes to an end against Chiawana in Pasco.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.