Gagne to throw first pitch for Dodgers on July 3 to commemorate saves record
Eric Gagne (Mascouche, Que.) will throw out the first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers game on Wednesday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of him converting his 84th consecutive save, which is still a major league record.
June 28, 2024
Official Los Angeles Dodgers News Release
LOS ANGELES – Former Dodgers closer and 2003 National League Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagné will throw out the honorary first pitch prior to the Dodgers’ matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
The date marks the 20th anniversary of Gagné recording his 84th consecutive save, which still stands as the longest consecutive save streak in Major League history.
On August 28, 2002, Gagné began a streak of 84 consecutive saves that lasted until July 5, 2004. During this time, the phrase “Game Over” flashed throughout Dodger Stadium when he emerged from the Dodger bullpen.
Gagné began his tenure in Los Angeles as a starting pitcher, but his career took off once the Dodgers moved him to the bullpen prior to the start of the 2002 season. From 2002 to 2004, he led the league with 152 saves while also ranking first in ERA (1.79) and WHIP (0.82) among pitchers with at least 100 games pitched. He was selected to the All-Star Game in each of those three seasons, and he took home the National League Rolaids Relief Award in 2003 and 2004.
In 2003, Gagné became the ninth reliever and second Canadian pitcher in Major League history to win the Cy Young award after receiving 28 of 32 first-place votes. That season, he tied the National League single-season record with 55 saves and posted a 1.20 ERA (11 ER/82 1/3 IP) along with a 0.69 WHIP and a career-high 137 strikeouts. Gagné finished sixth that year in the NL MVP voting.
During his 10-year big league career, Gagné spun a 33-26 record with 187 saves, a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP along with 718 strikeouts. Among Dodger pitchers, he ranks second all-time in saves (161) and strikeouts per nine innings (10.38).