What I remember of Eric Gagne is a pitcher who, when he came out of the pen to close a game, you were pretty sure he would shut the opposition down. And he was very good at it for about three years. From 2002-2004, there was not a more dominant closer in the majors. Eric Serge Gagne was born on January 7, 1976, in Montreal in the province of Quebec in Canada. He grew up in the town of Mascouche, near Montreal, and went to Edouard Montpetit High School. The same High School that Russell Martin went to. He played hockey and baseball as a child.
His little league teams were coached by his father. He was a Canadians and Expos fan. He was a 30th-round draft choice by the White Sox in the 1994 draft but did not sign. The following year he signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent. But he missed the entire 1997 season with TJ surgery after spending some time in the minors before that.
In 1999 he made his MLB debut as a starter. He finished the year with a 1-1 record and a 2.10 ERA in 5 starts. Over the next two years, he went 11-14 in 48 games, 38 of them starts. Jeff Shaw retired after the 2001 season, and Gagne was converted to a reliever. He got his first save on April 7 against the Rockies. He saved 10 in a row before he blew his first save on May 7th against the Braves. He was, at the time, the top reliever in the league. He was chosen for his first All-Star game, becoming the second player from Quebec to be named an All-Star. Claude Raymond was the first. He served up a 2-run homer to Alfonso Soriano, cutting the NL lead to 4-2. For the year, he saved 52 games.
In 2003, he was called on 55 times to save a game and converted all of them. He became the first pitcher to have more than 50 saves in more than one season and the quickest to 100 saves. He tied the league high set by John Smoltz in 2002. Between August 26th, 2002, and July 5th, 2004, he converted 84 consecutive saves, an MLB record. 55% of the batters he retired in 2003 were by strikeout. When he came into a game at Dodger Stadium, the words “Game Over” would flash on the scoreboard and the PA system would play “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N Roses.
In 2003, Gagne won the Cy Young award, becoming the second Canadian to win the award, Fergie Jenkins was the first, and he was named the Rolaids reliever of the year. He was the only pitcher ever to win the award with a losing record. He was 2-3 that year. He was making $550,000 in 2003. He asked for a raise to 8 million, but in the end, settled for 5. On July 15, 2004, just ten days after his streak ended, he earned his 130th save, passing Jeff Shaw for the most in team history. It was since eclipsed by plenty by Jansen.
2005 was a bad year for Eric. He sustained several injuries. He was effective, going 8-8 in save opportunities, but only pitched in 14 games. In June, it was announced he needed a second TJ surgery. A return to pitching in the majors after two TJ surgeries was unheard of at that time. Hung Chi Kuo would later prove that you could. When they opened up his elbow, they found a tendon trapped by scar tissue. They released it.
In 2006, after a couple of encouraging outings in spring, the pain returned. He was forced to undergo another surgery, this time removing the tendon. More recovery time ensued. He came back in June and pitched in 2 games, earning a save, but the pain once again returned, and he went back on the DL. Then in July, he woke up with intense pain in his back. He was found to have two herniated discs and underwent season-ending surgery.
The Dodgers declined to exercise Gagne’s option, and he became a free agent. In December of 2006, he signed a two-year deal with the Rangers. He did not do well in the spring, and for the third straight year, he started the season on the DL. On May 8th, he was activated and installed as the Ranger’s closer. For the rest of the year, he was 2-0 with 16 saves. In July of 2007, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He was expected to be the set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon. He gave up 14 runs in his first 14 innings. But after a while, he improved and was added to the Red Sox post-season roster. He went one scoreless inning in his only World Series appearance.
In 2008 Gagne went to Milwaukee. He did not last long in the closer’s role, removed in early May. He ended 2008 with the worst record of his career. Ten saves in 17 chances and an ERA over 5. The following year, he signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee but was released midway through spring with a shoulder injury.
Gagne would not pitch in the majors again. Already rumors of PED use were swirling, and he was named in the Mitchell Report. Gagne tried to restart his career more than a few times. In 2010 he signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers, but he got roughed up in spring training. So he retired as spring training ended. He pitched in Canadian Independent Leagues a few times. He also became a pitching coach for the French team, trying out for the World Baseball Classic. They did not qualify. He also coached for the Texas Rangers in their minor league system for a couple of years.
Gagne’s alleged use of HGH was testified to by Kirk Radomski, a steroids dealer. Supposedly, Radomski had receipts for two direct shipments to Gagne. Also implicated was Gagne’s teammate, Paul LoDuca. All of this was taking place in 2004. Gagne has not admitted he used it. He simply has refused to comment on the subject. Most think the reason is that more teammates would be implicated. Finally, in 2010, he admitted he used HGH but said it was for a knee injury. Gagne is divorced and has four children.
Discussion (19)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Come and live in had Uk
Nothings ever blanked out.
Padres lose, lead is 19,5. OKC-EL Paso game on MLB.tv. They hit four homers while I was watching. Outman, Rios, Amaya and Martin. Vargas just hit one too.
Scherzer with 112 pitches today.
Good that Braves keeping pressure on Mets. We’ll see how deep Met pitching is now.
I’d say – ‘Playoff vibes’ for this Mets series.
I have Comcast (Xfinity) TV and Peacock is included for free. I had been discussing my bill with Comcast and they happened to mention it to me just in time for me to watch the game.
Don’t understand why I live 5 hours from dc but I can’t watch the dodgers when they play nationals! Don’t understand why the nfl wants to play games out of the country and home fans lose a home game. Exhibition games ok, but not regular season games. The talking heads in charge must know something we don’t. Interested to see how hard we go after the wins against the Mets, still need home field advantage, not so sure braves still won’t win east. Mookie pushing hard for mvp
I saw the game on Facebook, sometimes I see them there, I just don’t like the commentators
I’m so glad that the Braves screwed Freeman. I sure hope we can work something out to keep Trea. Those three are perfect for the 1, 2, 3 spots in the lineup.
But, I do still think that Lux is going to be very close to Trea in the near future. He would slot in nicely in the 2 hole and I still think he’s a shortstop.
Betts and Freddie are locked up, CT3, Lux, Smith and Muncy for the next couple of years.
If we replace Trea, JT and Belli with Vargas, Outman or Pages and Busch, will the team be better, as good, or worse overall?
I think Vargas is a young version of JT. He’s gonna make a lot of contact, hit some bombs and a whole lot of doubles and get on base at a very high rate. It may take a little time to reach him on defense, but he’s not as bad as initially thought.
Pages and Outman can probably hit better than Belli right now. Their defense will come up a little short
Trea has been an animal with the Dodgers. With Busch taking over at second base, the defense at SS and 2B both take a hit. But, look at all those extra base hits. He’s a true middle of the order type hitter.
If Trea and JT bolt next year, I think we’re worse for it. But, we may be better overall in a couple of years. I think we try to bring back all three next year. Outman and maybe Pages will put pressure on Belli in his walk year. JT and Muncy are fine sharing 3B and DH and we can always rest JT completely more in the beginning of the year, when he typically starts slow against righties with Rios in the mix and Vargas applying pressure. If Trea walks, maybe we can let Vargas, CT3 and Busch compete for 2B and resign Trace Thompson to play mostly LF with Outman getting some time there as well.
BulldogsandPenguins
Peaceful post.
There’s no comparison in career stats between Heaney and Chafin. Chafin is better career wise.
Chafin career slash line .226/.303/.326/.628
Heaney career slash line .250/.309/.443/.752
One of your favorite stats ERA
Chafin career ERA 3.27
Heaney career ERA 4.55
Chafin has a better 2022 slash line, Heaney has a better 2022 ERA. ERA has factors involved in the stat (next pitcher can bail out your mess on the bases or the other way around), unlike slash lines.
2022 Stats
Chafin .214/.266/.318/.585
Heaney .192/.274/.365/.640
Chafin ERA 3.02
Heaney ERA 1.94
Off the top of my head I think we have a couple philosophies that are different. There may be more than 2.
I consider career stats (bigger samples). It seems like you don’t. I may be wrong though, but it seems like it.
I noticed we have a different philosophy about how many lefty and righty relievers should be on the staff. My philosophy is who cares. If a reliever is good or excellent against both sides of the plate I don’t care which arm he uses.
This Peacock broadcast is just a reminder of how great out Spectrum broadcast is.
That Mimosas segment with the Real House Wife’s of Miami which needed not just one but 2 reporters was and a whole half inning of nonsense was priceless.
I watch Dodgers on TikTok. Free with some random background chatter ( kids, the pooch). Some feeds better than others – do search ‘Dodgers Live’ and there’s usually 6-7 feeds going.
* I’m with Bear. I’m pissed that some games are exclusive on addition channels that charge monthly fees. In both Az and Washington I pay handsomely for a satellite service and a cable package including MLB Extra Innings, to get all the games. Now it’s Peacock and Apple and other players and I refuse to pay their fees. I see this as only the beginning of having to subscribe and stream games especially college football.
* Is there a stat-free feed for Dodger baseball games? I might pay for that. Rick Monday, Tim Neverett drive me nuts with useless stats. “In his last 231 AB, Smith has taken a first pitch strike 162 times while only hitting 200 against LHP who’s names start with S or later in the alphabet”. WFC’s?
* Those bobble heads they plan to give away later on would scare the bejesus out of me as a little kid.
* I don’t know if Taylor pushed Anderson’s foot off 2nd or not but Anderson got run in a nano second. He looked like he didn’t have time to say the magic words. Anderson left quickly and can tell you. I would have gotten my money’s worth. Pretty quick trigger by DJ Rayburn.
* I’ve seen about 4 situations that I thought were green lite specials in the last 2 games with fast guys on 1st and Doc doesn’t start them. We’ve needed that 90 feet. I can never seem to guess when and why he’ll start a guy and then he doesn’t. But with Freeman up I’d want Betts or TT on 2nd first or second pitch. Doc must have info I don’t.
* We need to get engaged more and play better today.
Some quick thoughts
– I can’t remember having such high expectations every time the Dodgers run onto the field– fun!
– The logical side of me sees our payroll and weak MLB competition and thinks our winning % is mostly the product of well spent resources, but I know team chemistry is an important variable.
– Yesterday’s game was good preparation for the playoffs, it’s too bad we won’t face both Sherzer and Degrom this week.
– It’s fun to watch players like –Trace, Gallo –compete for playing time and ultimately the playoff roster.
– I think the Dodgers have the components to win in the playoffs, but I don’t trust Doc to make the right decisions. For example, I am not a fan of platooning based on lefty-righty pitching matchups — i want my best players on the field all the time. Often times, clutch hits come when you least expect them. The mixing, matching, and piggy backing of our pitchers could be the difference maker — not something Roberts has proven to be adept at.
– This is an amazing, resilient team with lots of great storylines,
– Go Dodgers!
Sunday’s Dodger Minor League Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Ronan Kopp*) vs. Fort Wayne (Garrett Hawkins)
11:35 a.m.: Tulsa (Kyle Hurt) at Arkansas (Taylor Dollard)
4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Michael Grove & Jon Duplantier) vs. El Paso (Thomas Eshelman)
6 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Darlin Pinales) at Visalia (Brock Jones)
*Ronan Kopp, the Dodgers’ 12th-round draft pick in 2021 who had a 2.81 ERA and 40-percent strikeout rate in Low-A, makes his Loons debut Sunday, five days after getting promoted and thirty days after his 20th birthday.
If you want to watch the game on Peacock today, you have to have Peacock Premium, and that is 5 bucks a month. I already pay MLB.TV 129 a year, for that, I should get all of the games whether they are played on any other service or not. I already miss Dodger games against the Rockies because I am closer than the mile limit to Denver, so I get blacked out. I will just listen to the radio feed like I did for years. About managers making in game boners. The list is long. It gets magnified in playoff games and World Series. The players play the game and ultimately are responsible for the wins or loses. In the three World Series he has managed, Roberts has made a couple of questionable moves. And he did a lulu in the game 5 playoff against DC in 19. Sending Joe Kelly back out for a second inning. Most remember removing Hill when he was shutting down the Red Sox. Again, it is on the players to perform, but the bullpen imploded, and that was that. One thing I have learned about Roberts is that he has no set plan. He puts the players on the field that he thinks give the Dodgers the best chance to win. For the most part, it is hard to argue with the results. We might not particularly care for a lineup featuring 4 guys down in the Mendoza zone, Muncy, Bellinger, Gallo and Barnes, but he continually gets away with it. One of those guys or the top 4 will do something good and they win. Here we are at the 125-game mark, and they are the only team with less than 40 losses. We might not care for him, and some do not, but management loves the guy and so do his players. As old as I am, I remember some really bad managerial decisions that cost LA pennants. Alston, in game 3 of the 62 playoffs, going with Stan Williams who proceeded to blow a 2-run lead and probably worse than that, leaving a totally gassed Ed Roebuck in to start the 9th. Lasorda electing to pitch to Jack Clark. Fernando Tatis Jr. just lost a lot of income, Addidas dropped him.
I guess results are what generates the criticism of ‘weird’ moves. So he put Bickford in when just trailing by 1 run. he gave up that double, but picked off the runner. So if he had his usual inning and gave up a run or 2, and the Dodgers came back and scored two runs—-well you know what we would be saying.
The Dodgers must have sold a lot more concessions during Gagne’s reign. No one would leave the stadium early in those days. It was electric at the stadium with “Game Over” coming in from the pen to “Welcome to the Jungle”. He was the Brightest Star that burned out quickly.
I got goosebumps reading this. Thanks Bear!
Eric, three separate posts to figure out how to get those relievers on the active roster, then you have to cut a bunch of guys that could be useful in the future. Martin has arguably pitched better than Robertson, but Robertson has closing experience and has pitched in higher leverage situations. So, I will concede that Robertson would be more valuable to the team. But, Martin will be on the team next year and was cheaper to acquire and Robertson is no sure thing since he did blow a save with the Phillies since being acquired.
Chafin is not as good as Vesia, Ferguson or Heaney. There was no need for that move whatsoever.
It looks to me like AF did what was necessary to solidify the bullpen, but I will admit I would feel a lot better about the back end of games with Robertson.
“Since 1969, only 13 teams with the best regular season record have won the World Series.” This is one of those situations where people lie with statistics. Yesterday I went back and audited the World Series winners since 2010 and over 40% of them had the best record in their own league. The 2017 Astros had the second most wins in their league finishing with just one win less than the Indians. The playoffs are way less of a “Crapshoot” than the “13 team” statement indicates.
We lost yesterday and Doc didn’t do anything to screw up the game. So, I didn’t say anything. That’s how it works. If he doesn’t something weird, we talk about it. To lose a screw over it is just nonsense. People second-guess moves that are made in every sport. They even have a name for it. “Arm chair quarterback”. Analyzing the moves that are made during the game is a fun part of it. For some, making up trade suggestions is fun. That’s what this site is all about. That’s why Mark included the word “Talk” in the name.
I come off as a know it all often, and an A-Hole sometimes. Trust me, I’m working on it. Don’t believe me? Go back and look at the comments from my banned account “59inarow”.
We can discuss and exchange ideas, but let’s all keep the personal insults to a minimum. It escalates quickly.
We have another game in just about 2 hours and we’re facing another very good pitcher. Barnes is behind the plate, Lux returns to 2b and Thompson gets a start against a righty in CF with Gallo in LF. Will Smith sits with Muncy at DH. Julio is on the bump going for his 14th win.
His name in French ‘Gagne’ translates to Win (or Won) . How appropriate
12:05 PM ET
Dodgers (87-38)
Marlins (55-71)
SP Julio Urias L
13-7 2.36 ERA 133.2IP 27BB 130K
SP Edward Cabrera R
4-1 1.41 ERA 38.1IP 19BB 43K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
DH Max Muncy L
3B J. Turner R
LF Joey Gallo L
2B Gavin Lux L
CF T. Thompson R
C A. Barnes R
In Domed Stadium
Watch Dodgers vs. Marlins today on Peacock
I remember Gagne as a decent starter, who knows how he might have developed? But as a reliever he became great! It shows the difference between starting and relieving, game planning vs going full force for one inning. And as a reliever he could throw 4 different pitches for strikes in any count. Too bad injuries deprived us of watching a great closer do his thing for many years.