In my 24-year tenure as a Dodger fan (started following the team when I was eight, in 1986) I have loved very, very few players the way I loved Eric Gagne when he was a Dodger.
The stretch of 2002-2004 was as dominant as any closer in the history of the game. He saved 84 straight games, he saved 152 games in those three years, struck out over 100 all three years, had an ERA below 2.00, and he won a Cy Young.
It has also become pretty evident that Gagne used HGH, which has left my memory for him tainted and my feelings for him mixed.
Sure, a lot of players did it, but when the face of your franchise does it and it tarnishes all he accomplished, it's tougher to deal with.
Gagne's last 70 appearances in the Major League's, with Boston to end 2007 and with Milwaukee in '08, were less than memorable. He wasn't even around in 2009. I don't have is semi-pro Canadian League stats (or whatever it was) handy.
Now he's returned to the place where he was a legend. Where Game Over signs flahsed and Welcome to the Jungle blasted and many questions loom.
Will he be in any way effective?
How will he be received?
How do we feel as Dodger fans feel about this?
I have strong feelings for mr. Gagne...some of the best memories and some very dissapointing ones. Never have I seen a closer so dominant and exciting...I got to see him run out at least a dozen times and each one was intense and exciting...to realize it was steroid induced was heart breaking and was fine with him leaving...I don't think he stands a chance at making the best bullpen in baseball...is he better than mota was last year? Not imo!
Anyone else read the latest on cheapskate mccourt...wants to double ticket prices but keep payroll the same...good way to alienate the fans he hasn't already...I'm not spending a dollar on tshirts or other items that will give money to frank...no dodger games for me this year can watch them all on tv.
I can't believe his wife wants a million a month. What a mess this continues to be. I'm so worried about this team.
I am getting more confident about the team on the field...but I agree w dodgerfan that off the field this team is in deep shit. The court hearings are going to determine the future of the team...the info being linked confirms the fans fears and makes good ol franks words useless. A month ago he came out publicly and told us not to worry that the franchise is fine...BULLSHIT FRANK! Where are the omallys when you need them!
I miss that dominant Gagne. My best friend used to have the goatee shirt back in the day.