The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award was established in 1960 by The Sporting News (TSN) as TSN Fireman of the Year Award. The award originally recognized the best closer from each league, but in 2001 the award was broadened to include all relievers. The name was subsequently changed to The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award.

Fireman of the Year Award winners:

YearAmerican LeagueTeamNational LeagueTeam
1960Mike FornielesBoston Red SoxLindy McDanielSt. Louis Cardinals
1961Luis ArroyoNew York YankeesStu MillerSan Francisco Giants
1962Dick RadatzBoston Red SoxRoy FacePittsburgh Pirates
1963Stu Miller (2)Baltimore OriolesLindy McDaniel (2)Chicago Cubs
1964Dick Radatz (2)Boston Red SoxAl McBeanPittsburgh Pirates
1965Eddie FisherChicago White SoxTed AbernathyChicago Cubs
1966Jack AkerKansas City RoyalsPhil ReganLos Angeles Dodgers
1967Minnie RojasCalifornia AngelsTed Abernathy (2)Cincinnati Reds
1968Wilbur WoodChicago White SoxPhil Regan (2)Chicago Cubs
1969Ron PerranoskiMinnesota TwinsWayne GrangerCincinnati Reds
1970Ron Perranoski (2)Minnesota TwinsWayne Granger (2)Cincinnati Reds
1971Ken SandersMilwaukee BrewersDave GiustiPittsburgh Pirates
1972Sparky LyleNew York YankeesClay CarrollCincinnati Reds
1973John HillerDetroit TigersMike MarshallMontreal Expos
1974Terry ForsterChicago White SoxMike Marshall (2)Los Angeles Dodgers
1975Rich GossageChicago White SoxAl HraboskySt. Louis Cardinals
1976Bill CampbellMinnesota TwinsRawly EastwickCincinnati Reds
1977Bill Campbell (2)Boston Red SoxRollie FingersSan Diego Padres
1978Rich Gossage (2)New York YankeesRollie Fingers (2)San Diego Padres
1979Jim Kern
Mike Marshall (3)
Texas Rangers
Minnesota Twins
Bruce SutterChicago Cubs
1980Dan QuisenberryKansas City RoyalsRollie Fingers (3)
Tom Hume
San Diego Padres
Cincinnati Reds
1981Rollie Fingers (4)Milwaukee BrewersBruce Sutter (2)St. Louis Cardinals
1982Dan Quisenberry (2)Kansas City RoyalsBruce Sutter (3)St. Louis Cardinals
1983Dan Quisenberry (3)Kansas City RoyalsAl Holland
Lee Smith
Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Cubs
1984Dan Quisenberry (4)Kansas City RoyalsBruce Sutter (4)St. Louis Cardinals
1985Dan Quisenberry (5)Kansas City RoyalsJeff ReardonMontreal Expos
1986Dave RighettiNew York YankeesTodd WorrellSt. Louis Cardinals
1987Jeff Reardon (2)
Dave Righetti (2)
Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees
Steve BedrosianPhiladelphia Phillies
1988Dennis EckersleyOakland AthleticsJohn FrancoCincinnati Reds
1989Jeff RussellTexas RangersMark DavisSan Diego Padres
1990Bobby ThigpenChicago White SoxJohn Franco (2)New York Mets
1991Dennis Eckersley (2)
Bryan Harvey
Oakland Athletics
California Angels
Lee SmithSt. Louis Cardinals
1992Dennis Eckersley (3)Oakland AthleticsDoug Jones
Lee Smith (2)
Houston Astros
St. Louis Cardinals
1993Jeff MontgomeryKansas CityRandy MyersChicago Cubs
1994Lee Smith (3)Baltimore OriolesJohn Franco (2)New York Mets
1995Jose MesaCleveland IndiansRandy Myers (2)Chicago Cubs
1996John WettelandNew York YankeesTrevor HoffmanSan Diego Padres
1997Mariano RiveraNew York YankeesJeff ShawCincinnati Reds
1998Tom GordonBoston Red SoxTrevor Hoffman (2)San Diego Padres
1999Mariano Rivera (2)New York YankeesUgueth UrbinaMontreal Expos
2000Todd JonesDetroit TigersAntonio AlfonsecaFlorida Marlins

Reliever of the Year Award winners:

YearAmerican LeagueTeamNational LeagueTeam
2001Mariano Rivera (3)New York YankeesArmando Benitez
Robb Nen
New York Mets
San Francisco Giants
2002Billy KochOakland AthleticsJohn SmoltzAtlanta Braves
2003Keith FoulkeOakland AthleticsEric GagneLos Angeles Dodgers

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