Here is another example of when the saves leader, Al Worthington with 18, was not awarded The Sporting News Fireman of the Year. The winner was Wilbur Wood with 16 saves.
Worthington was 4-5, all in relief with an ERA of 2.71. Wood led the league with 88 overall games and led in games finished with 46. He was 1-1 in his 2 starts and 12-11 in relief giving him an overall record of 13-12 and an ERA of 1.87. I think it was the fact that he was such a workhorse for the White Sox that gave him the edge. This despite having fewer saves and 5 blown saves compared to 4 by Worthington. Dennis Higgins was 3rd in the A.L. in saves with 13. He had a 4-4 record for the Senators, all in relief.
