Jerome Holtzman, 82, baseball writer, historian

Chicago Tribune sportswriter Jerome Holtzman (right) with then-Chicago Cubs manager Don Zimmer in Chicago. Holtzman, a longtime baseball writer, created the saves rule. (Chicago Tribune via Associated Press/File 1989)

CHICAGO - Jerome Holtzman - a longtime baseball writer who was inducted into the Hall of Fame, created the saves rule, and later became Major League Baseball's official historian - died Saturday in Evanston. He was 82.

"As a baseball writer, columnist, and historian for more than 50 years, Jerome Holtzman was a beloved figure and made an incredible impact on the game," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement yesterday.

Mr. Holtzman won the J.G. Spink Award and a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1989. The award is given annually to the one baseball writer who has exhibited "meritorious contributions" to baseball writing.

Known as The Dean, Mr. Holtzman worked at the Chicago Sun-Times and the Daily Times, its predecessor, before joining the Chicago Tribune in 1981. He retired in 1999, when Selig named him MLB's official historian.

Mr. Holtzman began his career as a 17-year-old copy boy in 1942 and served two years in the US Marine Corps during World War II before returning to journalism.

He was assigned the baseball beat in 1957.

"He was amazing baseball people," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who was a Sox player during Mr. Holtzman's time at the Tribune. "I don't just want to say writer. He was a baseball fan. He did a lot of things for baseball. He gave his life to baseball, and we'll always remember how great he was.

Believing that earned run averages and won-lost records were not the most accurate reflection of relievers' effectiveness, Mr. Holtzman created the formula for saves in 1959.

A decade later, in 1969, it was adopted by the game's Official Rules Committee.

"In the case of Jerome, every one of the closers over the last 30 years . . . should take out their checkbooks and write a gigantic check to whatever foundation or charity the family directs," said Steve Stone, a broadcaster and former White Sox pitcher. "He's really the person responsible for being able to quantify what has become one of the most important positions on the field."

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said baseball "lost a great advocate and fan . . . and I lost a dear friend."

Mr. Holtzman also wrote six books, including "No Cheering in the Press Box," in which he interviewed other well-known writers.

The funeral will be private, and a memorial service will be held later, the White Sox said.