White Sox's Liam Hendriks, Brewers' Josh Hader claim top reliever honors

Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks and Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader were named the top relievers of the 2021 season Wednesday.

Hendriks earned his second consecutive Mariano Rivera Award as the American League's top reliever. Hader captured his third Trevor Hoffman Award as the National League's Reliever of the Year.

The 32-year-old Hendriks posted an 8-3 record and recorded 38 saves in 44 chances for the White Sox this past season. He also had a 2.54 ERA and 113 strikeouts across 71 innings during his first season in Chicago.

Hader, who also won the award in 2018 and 2019, was 4-2 with a career-best 1.23 ERA in 2021. He had 34 saves in 35 opportunities and struck out 102 in 58 2/3 innings.

The AL runner-ups were Los Angeles Angels right-hander Raisel Iglesias and Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jordan Romano. The other finalists for the NL award were Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon of the San Diego Padres.

Voting for the awards was based on regular-season performance and was conducted among seven former MLB relievers: Rivera, Hoffman, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Lee Smith, Billy Wagner and John Franco.