What is a Hold in Baseball?
A hold is credited to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a save situation, records at least one out, and leaves the game without surrendering the lead. It’s a statistic designed to measure a relief pitcher’s ability to maintain the team’s lead, even if they aren’t the pitcher who eventually finishes the game.
Various terms in Baseball
Whether you’re a big baseball fan or just starting to learn about the game, knowing what a Hold is can help you appreciate the strategy and teamwork that make baseball so interesting.
Other famous terms like “home run,” “strikeout,” “save,” “Base on Balls (walk),” and “MVP,” the hold is a key part of the game that shows how different players work together to win. Understanding these terms adds another layer to enjoying baseball’s complexity.
History of Hold
The hold in baseball was introduced in the late 1980s to recognize the important role of relief pitchers who maintain their team’s lead but don’t finish the game. Before this, middle relievers often didn’t get the credit they deserved since only closers were rewarded with saves.
Famous events and players related to the “hold” statistic in baseball
| Event/Player | Year | Significance |
| Scott Proctor’s Season | 2006 | Recorded 18 holds for the New York Yankees |
| Joel Peralta’s Record | 2013 | Set a Tampa Bay Rays franchise record with 41 holds |
| 1990s Setup Men | 1990s | Players like Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton became famous for holding leads |
| Evolution of the Setup Man | Late 1980s-1990s | Pitchers like Gene Nelson and Duane Ward excelled in holding games in the 8th inning |
| Tyler Clippard’s Dominance | 2014 | Led MLB with 40 holds |
1. Scott Proctor’s 2006 Season
Scott Proctor, pitching for the Yankees in 2006, recorded 18 holds. His performance highlighted the growing importance of setup pitchers in maintaining leads.
2. Joel Peralta’s 2013 Record
In 2013, Joel Peralta set a Tampa Bay Rays record with 41 holds. His efforts were key to the Rays making the postseason.
3. 1990s Setup Men
During the 1990s, pitchers like Jeff Nelson and Mike Stanton became famous for holding leads in the late innings, proving the value of the hold statistic.
4. Evolution of the Setup Role
In the late 1980s and 1990s, pitchers like Gene Nelson and Duane Ward excelled at holding games in the 8th inning, making the setup role crucial in bullpen strategy.
5. Tyler Clippard’s 2014 Season
Tyler Clippard led MLB with 40 holds in 2014. His dominance as a setup man was vital for the Nationals’ bullpen success.
Purpose of Introducing Hold
The Hold was created to highlight the contributions of these pitchers, showing how crucial they are in preserving a lead and setting up the closer to finish the game. Over time, it has become a valuable stat for understanding a team’s strength.
How is a Hold Earned?
For a pitcher to be credited with a hold, four conditions must be met:
- Enter the Game in a Save Situation
The pitcher must come into the game in a situation where a save is possible. This generally means the team is leading by three runs or fewer, or the tying run is either on base, at bat, or on deck.
- Record at Least One Out
The pitcher must successfully record at least one out before leaving the game. Even if the pitcher only faces one batter and gets that out, they can still be credited with a hold.
- Maintain the Lead
The pitcher must leave the game without surrendering the lead. If the lead is lost while the pitcher is on the mound, they cannot be credited with a hold.
- Not Eligible for the Win or Save
The pitcher cannot be the winning pitcher or be eligible for a save in that game. The hold is specifically for middle relievers who bridge the gap between the starting pitcher and the closer.
Why Does Hold Matters?
The Hold is a critical stat for evaluating relief pitchers, particularly those who work in the middle innings or as set-up men. These pitchers often enter high-pressure situations, tasked with preserving a narrow lead until the closer can take over.
Without their contributions, many games would slip away before the closer even gets a chance to earn a save.
Hold vs. Save: What’s the Difference?
While both the hold and the save are metrics used to measure a pitcher’s ability to maintain a lead, there are key differences.
A save is typically awarded to a closer who finishes the game, securing the win. In contrast, a hold recognizes the efforts of pitchers who maintain the lead but do not finish the game.
Conclusion
In the grand scheme of baseball stats, the hold might not grab as many headlines as the save or the win, but it remains a valuable metric for understanding the full impact of a relief pitcher.
By crediting those who work in the middle innings to protect a lead, the hold highlights the importance of every pitcher who plays a role in securing a victory.
Frequently Asked Question
Q1. What counts as a hold in baseball?
A hold is credited to a relief pitcher who enters in a save situation, records at least one out, maintains the lead, and does not earn a win or save.
Q2. What is the difference between a hold and a save?
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who maintains the lead without finishing the game, while a save is given to a pitcher who finishes the game and preserves the lead.
Q3. What is the hold rule?
The hold rule requires a pitcher to enter in a save situation, record at least one out, maintain the lead, and not earn the win or save.
Q4. What are holds in MLB The Show?
Holds in MLB The Show are credited to relief pitchers who maintain the lead in a save situation, following the same criteria as in real-life baseball
