Eric Gagne gets a hug from catcher Paul Lo Duca as the ballclub celebrates Gagne's magnificent streak in the dugout Monday night in LA. (left) and Eric Gagne set a franchise record with 45 saves on Aug. 28, 2002 -- the first game of his Major League-record 84 consecutive saves streak. (right)
LOS ANGELES -- For 84 consecutive times, it was more than a catchy slogan.
It really was, "Game Over."
It was Eric Gagne at his unbeatable best, rewriting the record books with a consecutive saves streak that finally ended Monday night against, of course, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"It's going to be a number that people remember with the other huge records," said teammate Shawn Green.
The standing ovation from the fans when it ended and the curtain call they demanded underscored the impact Gagne and the streak have had in Los Angeles.
"The fans really got into the streak," said Green. "Every time we had a lead late in the game, everyone in the stands, including the other team, expected the game to be over. That's a powerful thing to have on your side."
It's been the most powerful weapon manager Jim Tracy has had the last three seasons and he's exploited it, crafting a bullpen that turned leads into six-inning games.
"I, like my staff and his teammates, gave him a huge hug when he came back to the dugout," said Tracy. "It's something special when the fans ask for a curtain call after you've blown a save. From what I've seen the last two years, the only candidate to redo (the streak) is the last guy who just did it."
Gagne gave the fans an assist in the streak.
"They helped me so much, they've been there for me all the time," he said after it ended. "They give me the energy. They're the reason I'm here. They're the reason I can pitch four, five, six days in a row. They get me fired up."
The impact wasn't lost on his teammates, who were able to pull a 6-5 victory out of the ashes of the streak Monday night.
"He's picked us up so many times," said catcher David Ross, "that we wanted to pick him up and win the game."
Gagne said he has never been caught up in the streak and that he probably won't appreciate the achievement until he retires.
"There's still a job to do tomorrow, a job I love so much," he said. "Jesse Orosco was here today. He's the guy who told me this job is like Groundhog's Day. You have to do it all over again every day."
The streak started Aug. 28, 2002, and it didn't start easily. Gagne struck out the side, but not before the same Diamondbacks had loaded the bases on a pair of hits and a walk.
It was the Diamondbacks who had accounted for Gagne's previous blown save two nights earlier. But when he struck out Erubiel Durazo to wrap up his 45th save of the 2002 season, it would be the beginning of a roll that might someday rank with Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in the category of untouchable achievements.
Gagne converted his final eight save opportunities in 2002 and picked up in 2003 where he left off. He saved games four consecutive days twice and on Sept. 2 against Houston notched consecutive save No. 55, breaking the previous record set by Tom Gordon in 1998-99.
The Canadian went on to arguably the greatest season ever for a closer, saving all 55 save opportunities and wining the National League Cy Young Award. He blew away Rod Beck's previous record for most saves in a perfect season (28), as well as Gordon's mark for most consecutive saves during one season (43) and Jose Mesa's record for most consecutive saves at the start of a season (38).
The only blemish on his season was the one blown save that didn't count -- in the All-Star Game. Gagne allowed a home run to Texas' Hank Blalock that turned an apparent National League win into a loss.
In the nearly 23 months between blown Gagne saves, 18 teams changed managers, most recently Arizona. With only five blown saves in 133 chances, Gagne has gone on to post the highest save percentage in history for relievers with a minimum of 100 saves. During the streak he had a 0.82 ERA with 43 hits allowed and 141 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings.
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This guy is the epitimy of awesome. If you don't think his streak is awesome then you must get your head checked. This is coming from a diehard Braves fan. This entry is in honor of Eric Gagne's streak. And as the saying goes for Gagne...
Game over.
P.S...I think he is adorable, minus those annoying goggles he wears when he pitches lol
da2kokib/al19fl
julie