Eric Gagne is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on January 7, 1976, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and began his baseball career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Gagne made his MLB debut in 1999 and quickly established himself as one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the league. He was known for his fastball, which regularly reached speeds of over 95 miles per hour, as well as his devastating changeup and curveball.
In 2002, Gagne had a breakout season, setting a new MLB record by converting 55 consecutive save opportunities. He was named the National League Cy Young Award winner that year, becoming the first relief pitcher to win the award since 1992.
Gagne continued to excel over the next few seasons, earning three consecutive All-Star selections from 2002 to 2004. He also helped lead the Dodgers to the playoffs in 2004, where they were eventually eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals.
After spending his entire career with the Dodgers, Gagne was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2007. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency during his brief stint with the team, however, and was released at the end of the season.
Gagne signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 but was again plagued by injuries and poor performance. He retired from baseball in 2010 with a career record of 33-26, 187 saves, and a 3.47 earned run average (ERA).
Despite his impressive career numbers, Gagne's legacy has been somewhat tarnished by his admission in 2007 that he had used performance-enhancing drugs during his playing career. He later apologized for his actions and has since become an advocate for anti-doping efforts in sports.
Overall, Eric Gagne was one of the most dominant relief pitchers of his era, known for his overpowering fastball and devastating off-speed pitches. While his career was marred by controversy, he remains a beloved figure among Dodgers fans and a respected member of the baseball community.
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