10 Unbreakable St. Louis Cardinals Pitching Records

3. Jason Isringhausen’s 217 saves

Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Back in 2001, the St. Louis Cardinals gave closer Jason Isringhausen the biggest free-agent pitching contract in team history (four years, $27 million), which I’m sure many of you hope will be broken soon if it hasn’t already. No doubt the St. Louis Cardinals got their money’s worth with Isringhausen, at least.

Isringhausen closed out 332 games in his seven seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, saving 251 of them. His ERA in that span was 2.98. In the end, the righthander was the only one of the trio of high-caliber New York Mets pitching prospects, which included Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher (together nicknamed “Generation K”) to have the All-Star career that was expected of them.

Isringhausen saved 300 games in his career, but his 217 for the St. Louis Cardinals should stand forever given how often teams change closers these days. Current St. Louis Cardinals fireman Trevor Rosenthal (above) is fifth on the all-time list with 96 saves. But he’s a Scott Boras client, so, you know …