Every year, we're astounded by the stats put up by closers: Francisco Rodriguez is on a record pace for saves! Joakim Soria is holding opponents to a .147 batting average! Brad Lidge hasn't blown a save!
Thing is, there are several of these seasons every year -- they are no longer unique. As you can see from the chart below, there was a time when compiling an ERA under 2.00, at least 20 saves and a WHIP (walks plus hits allowed per inning) under 1.00 was a great accomplishment. But now that three or four closers do this each season, those numbers don't seem so awe-inspiring. Last season's J.J. Putz and Takashi Saito are this season's Joe Nathan.
Compare Willie Hernandez's remarkable 1984 season with the Tigers to a current-day closer. Hernandez faced 548 batters -- more than the 481 batters Jonathan Papelbon faced in the 2006 and 2007 seasons combined.
Papelbon was dominant, no doubt. But his seasons can't compare to Hernandez's great '84.
[Number in parentheses indicates appearances on the list; BS = blown saves]