While the Los Angeles Dodgers have made a strong case to be the latest MLB dynasty by winning back-to-back World Series titles and three in the last six years, their franchise history and success since 2000 is a mixed bag.
Up until the current era, there were middling levels of postseason accomplishments since the turn of the century. But there have also been impressive individual performances and players who carved out a special place in the Dodgers’ franchise history.
The DodgerBlue.com staff has ranked the best Dodgers players in the last 25 years. Among various factors considered, the all-time Dodgers list was compiled by evaluating a player’s contributions and significance to the franchise.
Dodgers quarter-century all-time team
No. 20: Eric Gagné
Eric Gagné signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1995 and made his Major League debut on Sept. 7, 1999. He actually began his career primarily as a starting pitcher during the first three seasons with the Dodgers.
Outside of the five starts Gagné made in 1999, he was largely ineffective as a starter and was converted to a reliever in 2002. He took over as the closer following the retirement of Jeff Shaw.
Gagné hit the ground running in this new role and didn’t look back, with a 1.97 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 82.1 innings during his first season as the Dodgers’ closer. It earned him the first of three consecutive All-Star appearances.
Additionally, that season was the starting point of his historic 84-save streak, which began on Aug. 28, 2002. He earned 52 saves that season overall.
For as good as the right-hander was in 2002, his 2003 season was even better. Gagné converted all 55 save opportunities, becoming both the first pitcher to record 50 saves in more than one season and the fastest pitcher to ever reach the 100-save mark.
The 55 saves also tied John Smoltz’s single season record in the National League, a record the pair still share to this day. It was a season of pure dominance, with more than half of the batters he retired during 2003 coming via the strikeout.
Gagné finished the 2003 season with a 1.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 82.1 innings. For his efforts, he became the fifth reliever in National League history and ninth overall to win the Cy Young Award.
Former Dodgers reliever Mike Marshall was the first non-starter to win the award in 1974.
Gagné collected his 130th save on July 15, 2004 to surpass Jeff Shaw for the most saves in franchise history. It was another excellent season for him, with a 2.19 ERA and 114 strikeouts.
For all intents and purposes, that three-year stretch was the end of his time with the Dodgers. He was limited to 14 appearances in 2005 due to injury. Elbow trouble ended his 2005 season, but Gagné was able to avoid Tommy John surgery.
However, this elbow discomfort persisted into and throughout the 2006 season. In addition to the elbow injury, Gagné underwent season-ending back surgery in July to address two herniated discs.
The Dodgers declined to extend Gagné’s contract after the season, making him a free agent. He signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers worth $6 million, with up to $5 million in incentives.
In December 2007, he was implicated in MLB’s steroid scandal after the release of a report chronicling U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell’s 20-month investigation into the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone in the Majors.
Gagné has gone on the record to say that his use of HGH was limited to a three-year period near the end of his career.
As the Dodgers’ reliever, he had a 14-7 record with a 1.82 ERA, 390 strikeouts and 161 saves in 240 appearances. Gagné has the second-most saves in franchise history behind Kenley Jansen.
