Eric Gagne, who set a major-league record by convering 84 consecutive save opportunities, has told Canadian website, RueFrontenac.com [story is in French], that he has decided to retire.
Eric Gagne Announces Retirement
↵Gagne is only 34, but had struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness for several seasons. He underwent surgery on his elbow in 2005, back surgery the following year, and played for Texas, Boston and Milwaukee after leaving Los Angeles, but never was able to recapture the glories of his days with the Dodgers. He made a last effort to catch on with his old club this spring, but a 20.25 Cactus League ERA led to Gagne quickly being cut.
↵However, from 2002-04, Eric was the most dominating closer the game has ever seen, piling up 152 saves with a 1.79 ERA. In 2003, he was an immaculate 55-for-55 in save opportunities, an unprecedented success rate that won him the Cy Young award. Between August 26, 2002 and July 5, 2004, he converted 84 straight - only once did the tying run even reach third, even though in 38 of those games, he was protecting a one-run lead.
↵Gagne’s star was dimmed by his name cropping up in the Mitchell Report, and in February, he told the Los Angeles Times that he had used HGH. However, even if he now appears to have gone, I suspect every Dodger fan will still find the hairs on the back of their neck rising when they hear his entrance music, Welcome to the Jungle.
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