Eric Gagne 2000:
Enjoyed record-breaking performance in first season as the Dodger closer...had 52 saves, which ranked second in the Major Leagues to Atlanta's John Smoltz (55) and also shattered the franchise single-season mark of 44 set by Todd Worrell in 1996...converted 52 of 56 save opportunities (93 percent) and was 26-for-27 in save chances at Dodger Stadium...had saves in back-to-back games 16 times and in three straight games four times...was runner- up to Smoltz (164 points) in Rolaids Relief Man competition with 159 points...pitched 1.0 inning in 2002 MLB All-Star Game in Milwaukee...became quickest pitcher in MLB history to reach both 20 saves (in team's 56th game) and 30 saves (in team's 82nd game)...his 114 whiffs were second among MLB relief pitchers (Houston's Octavio Dotel had 118 in 97.1 innings) and rank third alltime among Dodger relievers...led NL and ranked second in Majors by allowing just 8.0 baserunners per 9.0 innings (73 runners in 82.1 innings)...named as co-recipient, along with Colorado Rockies outfielder Larry Walker, of the Tip O'Neill Award, presented by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame...among NL relievers, was third in lowest batting average against (.189) and fourth in ERA (1.97)...in a 28-inning stretch from May 4-July 3, did not issue a walk, a span of 99 batters...honored as the NL Pitcher of the Month for June when he was 11-for-11 in save opportunities, allowing one earned run (0.63 ERA), seven hits and no walks with 24 strikeouts in 14.1 innings over 13 outings...led NL relievers in September with 26 Rolaids Relief Man points (two wins, seven saves, one tough save)...after beginning season by pitching in three non-save situations, hurled a scoreless inning on April 7 vs. Colorado to notch first save of his professional career...got a save on April 11 at San Francisco, escaping own one-out, two-on jam in the ninth by striking out Jeff Kent and retiring Reggie Sanders on a fly out...after the game, Manager Jim Tracy named him as the team's sole closer...suffered his first blown save when Atlanta's Gary Sheffield hit a game-tying ninth-inning homer on May 7 at Atlanta...converted 20 straight save chances from May 8-July 1...entered the June 21 contest vs. Boston with two outs in the eighth and a onerun lead and struck out all four batters he faced...on July 1 at Arizona, retired the side in order to record his 30th save...on July 23 at San Diego, struck out the side to get his 35th save...Aug. 3 at Philadelphia, hurled 2.0 hitless and scoreless innings to earn his first win since Sept. 20, 2001...recorded 40th save by pitching a 1-2-3 inning on Aug. 14 at Montreal...on Aug. 24 vs. Atlanta, tossed scoreless ninth to record his 44th save and tie the franchise single-season record...broke the then-franchise single-season saves mark, recording No. 45 by striking out the side on Aug. 28 vs. Atlanta...earned saves No. 50 and 51 with scoreless ninths in back-to-back games on Sept. 21 and 22 at San Diego...struck out the side for the eighth time to get his third win on Sept. 25 vs. San Diego...tossed a scoreless ninth on Sept. 26 vs. San Diego for save No. 52...had a great spring, compiling a 0.47 ERA in nine exhibition games, allowing eight hits and three walks with 19 strikeouts in 19.0 innings.

Eric Gagne in 2006 Outlook:
It was a left knee injury that sidelined Eric Gagne at the start of spring training. How much Eric Gagne subsequent elbow problems had to do with the adjustments Eric Gagne made to compensate for the knee will forever remain a mystery. Fortunately, Eric Gagne didn't need Tommy John surgery, something Eric Gagne didn't know until after Eric Gagne was cut open on June 24. Eric Gagne's ulnar collateral ligament wasn't torn, so Eric Gagne is expected to be ready for the beginning of this spring. While it's possible that Eric Gagne won't be 100 percent until well into the season, Gagne at 85-90 percent is still clearly better than most of the game's closers. Just look at what Eric Gagne did while he was pitching hurt last season. The Dodgers will probably be good enough to present Eric Gagne with at least 45 save opportunities, so consider paying the price. With the risk factor dropping Eric Gagne's price, Eric Gagne is a better investment than he has been in a couple of years.

• Eric Gagne - Los Angeles Dodgers Eric Gagne
• Eric Gagne 2002
• Eric Gagne 2001
• Eric Gagne 2000

Eric Gagne in 2006 Outlook:
It was a left knee injury that sidelined Eric Gagne at the start of spring training. How much Eric Gagne subsequent elbow problems had to do with the adjustments Eric Gagne made to compensate for the knee will forever remain a mystery. Fortunately, Eric Gagne didn't need Tommy John surgery, something Eric Gagne didn't know until after Eric Gagne was cut open on June 24. Eric Gagne's ulnar collateral ligament wasn't torn, so Eric Gagne is expected to be ready for the beginning of this spring. While it's possible that Eric Gagne won't be 100 percent until well into the season, Gagne at 85-90 percent is still clearly better than most of the game's closers. Just look at what Eric Gagne did while he was pitching hurt last season. The Dodgers will probably be good enough to present Eric Gagne with at least 45 save opportunities, so consider paying the price. With the risk factor dropping Eric Gagne's price, Eric Gagne is a better investment than he has been in a couple of years.

Former Dodgers Players :