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Mason Miller makes baseball history by being crowned unanimous Reliever of the Year
Mason Miller was unanimously named the National League Reliever of the Year, recognising a standout season as the San Diego Padres’ closer. It is the first time the Baseball Writers’ Association of America has voted on the award, marking a change from earlier relief-pitching honours.
Miller made 66 appearances and converted 38 of 41 save chances, with a 1.67 earned run average and a 0.900 WHIP. He finished level with St Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O’Brien for the league lead in saves; Philadelphia’s Jhoan Duran was runner-up, receiving 24 second-place votes, while Milwaukee’s Trevor McGill received two. Miller also set a Padres record with 34⅔ consecutive scoreless innings, though the team’s season ended with an NL Division Series elimination by the Brewers.
In short
- Miller won the first BBWAA-voted NL Reliever of the Year award unanimously.
- He converted 38 of 41 save opportunities for San Diego.
- His 34⅔ scoreless innings set a Padres record.
Explained simply
In baseball, a closer is a relief pitcher brought in near the end of a close game to protect a team’s lead. A save is credited when the pitcher finishes the game in specified situations without letting the opposing team take the lead.
The National League is one of Major League Baseball’s two leagues, and the San Diego Padres are one of its teams. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America is a group of baseball journalists; its vote for a relief-pitching award gives writers a formal role in recognising the league’s top performers in that job.