The Arizona Diamondback Closers’ Cup: The Final

Semi-final results

#1 Jose Valverde vs. #5 Brad Ziegler: 51% Valverde

An achingly close contest was, in the end, decided by just two votes, with Papa Grande edging Z by a margin on 47-45. This was perhaps something of a shock, with a number of people expressing the opinion that Ziegler was the best closer in team history. There is a case to be made that Brad is the greatest reliever in team history: he currently holds the franchise record for appearances (though Andrew Chafin may well take that from him by the end of 2023), and his 157 ERA+ was the best of the eight contestants here. But he arguably did some of his best work as a free-range fireman, coming in to strand runners before the…