In baseball, a hold (abbreviated HLD) is awarded to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a save situation with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck. The pitcher maintains his team’s lead until either the batter is out, the inning ends, or another player replaces him. If a reliever allows the tying run to score while he is on the mound, but his team ultimately holds on to win the game (whether by maintaining the lead or rallying for more runs), he is not charged with a blown save.
The benefits of a hold in baseball
While a save is always given to the pitcher who finishes the game with their team in the lead, a hold can be given to a pitcher for their performance leading up to the save, even if they don’t get credit for it. In other words, a hold is like an insurance policy for a lead.
For a pitcher to be eligible for a hold, they must meet specific criteria. First, they must enter the game with their team in the lead. Second, they must Pitch at least one full inning. Third, they must leave the game with their team still in the lead.
If all three criteria are met, the pitcher will be awarded a hold.
The importance of a hold in baseball
In baseball, a hold is a statistic that credit a relief pitcher who preserves a lead while in the game. A pitcher can earn a hold by entering the game in a save situation, pitching at least one inning without giving up the lead, and leaving the game with the lead still intact.
The Hold became an official Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic in 1986. Before that time, however, many baseball commentators and analysts used the term “set-up man” to refer to relief pitchers who frequently entered games in late innings with their team leading by one or two runs.
Hold is essential because it allows managers to better use their relief pitchers in late-inning situations. Managers can keep their best pitchers fresh for later innings when the game is on the line by using a reliever specifically for holds.
While holds are generally given to relief pitchers, any pitcher can earn a hold by coming into the game in a save situation and preserving the lead without giving up a run. However, starting pitchers are rarely used in save positions, so relief pitchers almost always earn holds.
What is the record for most holds in a career?
Jesse Orosco, who recorded 160 holds over the course of his 24-year career, holds the record for most holds in a career. He played for eight different teams during his time in the majors, spending most of his career with the New York Mets.
Orosco’s record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon, as the next highest total is held by Darren O’Day, who has tallied 132 holds over his 11-year career. Among active players, Jake McGee currently ranks third with 123 holds.
