Who were some of the better lefty relievers of the last 25 years?

Question

Don't say Billy Wagner.

Answer 1

John Franco and Randy Myers are two that come quickly to mind.

Franco was incredibly steady throughout his whole career, with a career ERA under 3 and over 400 saves. Myers doesn't have numbers quite as impressive, but he was almost unhittable as a Met during the late '80s and as part of the Nasty Boys on that 1990 Reds team.

Answer 2

1982-2006, not being comprehensive, just tossin' out some names:

Billy Wagner, Mike Stanton, John Franco, Kent Mercker, John Rocker (for a little while anyway), Mitch Williams, Jesse Orosco, BJ Ryan, Eddie Guardado, Randy Myers, Dave Righetti, Norm Charlton, Mark Davis (1989 NL CYA winner), Dan Plesac, Tony Fossas, and Willie Hernandez (1984 AL MVP and CYA winner).

Answer 3

Like lefty specialists? Mike Stanton, Steve Kline were great at one point.
Jesse Orosco is another good one.

If you're looking for someone who's getting it done now, look no further than Fuentes in Colorado or Okajima in Boston.

I've always had a soft spot for Affeldt and that curve.

Answer 4

Steve Carlton. I only say this because he was his own reliever. He never needed one, he was that good!

Answer 5

Would have to go with Tug Mcgraw --- pretty good reliever