The prestigious Dennis Eckersley Award, named after the former Vancouver and Toledo star pitcher who dominated in the early 1990s, is given to the most astounding Relief Pitcher in the DMBL. A series of points are given to score a reliever's Eckersley standings. Two points are awarded for each save and each victory earned in relief and one point is subtracted for each blown save and each loss.

And the award goes to....

John Smoltz, Newark Sugar Bears

When he first was drafted by Vancouver in the inaugural 1991 draft, scouts thought that Smoltz would become a premier starter in the DMBL. Smoltz proved the scouts correct, winning 101 games as a starter, mostly for the Scranton/Louisiana franchise. Smoltz's best season was in 1999 with Carolina when he amassed an 18-6 record with a 3.27 ERA. Smoltz struck out 200 or more batters four years in a row from 1996-1999. Then, at the end of the 2000 season, Smoltz developed arm troubles. The injury cost Smoltz his entire 2001 season. The Sugar Bears decided to ease him back by pitching him out of the bullpen in 2002. He pitched so well that Smoltz earned the closer role in Newark for 2003.

What Smoltz did next was truly historic. His 45 saves broke the old record held by Vancouver's Billy Wagner. Smoltz wasn't perfect - he blew 3 saves in 2003 - but his .938 save percentage was also a new record. As if that wasn't enough, his 0.61 ERA broke Dennis Eckersley's ERA record for a reliever, set way back in 1991. He posted an 0.83 WHIP, while striking out 56 in 73 1/3 innings. It's easy to see why Smoltz won the Eckersley Award.

Coming in second was Brooklyn's Robb Nen, who tied Wagner's record of 41 saves, but fell just short of Smoltz's accomplishment. Tied for third was former Eckersley winner, Mariano Rivera of Stanhope with 37 saves. Ugueth Urbina of Honolulu was the other third place candidate. Urbina compiled a 9-4 record in addition to his 31 saves.

Smoltz moves to the top of the list of greatest relief seasons, compiling the most relief points in DMBL history.