MLB names Holland, Kimbrel relievers of the year
Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland took home some hardware before a pivotal Game 2 World Series matchup with the San Francisco Giants.
Holland and Atlanta Braves closer Craig Kimbrel were named MLB's relievers of the year, the first time the sport has awarded individual league awards for relief pitchers.
Kimbrel was given the Trevor Hoffman Award, given to the National League's top relief arm, while Holland secured the Mariano Rivera Award, the American League equivalent.
.@Royals closer Greg Holland wins Mariano Rivera Award; @Braves closer @kimbrel46 receives Trevor Hoffman Award. pic.twitter.com/GYnSX5ntjG
— MLB (@MLB) October 22, 2014
The two both represented their leagues at the All-Star Game and had equally dominating years. Kimbrel led the NL in saves for the fourth consecutive season.
| Player | ERA | FIP | SV | WHIP | K Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holland | 1.44 | 1.83 | 46 | 0.91 | 37.5% |
| Kimbrel | 1.61 | 1.83 | 47 | 0.91 | 38.9% |
A nine-man panel, including Billy Wagner and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, voted on the awards.
MLB used to honor the top reliever in the game with the Delivery Man of the Year Award.