Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Former Dodgers Closer Eric Gagné Emotional In Return To Dodger Stadium
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Former Dodgers Closer Eric Gagné Emotional In Return To Dodger Stadium

Matt Borelli
July 4, 2024
5 Min Read
Eric Gagné
Jul 3, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers former pitcher Eric Gagne reacts during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers honored Eric Gagné by having him throw out the ceremonial first pitch before their matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, which marked the 20th anniversary of his MLB-record 84th consecutive save.

With Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” blasting through the speakers, Gagné fired a strike to Evan Phillips. “It’s exciting, it’s a lot of emotions,” he said before the festivities.

“I have my family coming in. It’s crazy it’s been 20 years. But I’m excited, it’ll be fun. It’s a very emotional night. Just to be here, it’s an amazing honor just to be part of the Dodgers history and everything else. To be honored today, it’s very humbling.”

Gagné said he felt a flood of emotions in his return to Dodger Stadium. “Yes, every time. Every time I step on this field, it’s like a church to me,” Gagné explained.

“My offer is on that level of the mound, and walking here with all the history, the Tommy Lasorda’s, Don Drysdale’s, the Sandy Koufax’s of the world, to me, just to be part of that history, it’s not realistic. I still don’t feel it. I tell my kids, just to be part of that history, it’s really humbling.

Gagné spent eight seasons with the Dodgers, earning three All-Star selections and most notably winning the 2003 National League Cy Young Award for his contributions as a closer.

The right-hander last pitched for the team in 2006 and still gets emotional when he walks out to the mound. “It’s hard. It’s a lot of emotions, I haven’t been here in a while on the pitching mound with all the fans and everything else,” Gagné said.

“It’s surreal, it’s something that’s very special. We take it for granted when we’re playing. When we’re here, we just go through a routine every single day, but for me, the biggest thing in the world, being part of an organization that has one of the biggest brands you can ever think of, the Dodgers, and for me to be part of that is unreal.”

Dave Roberts reflects on Eric Gagné’s career

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was teammates with Eric Gagné for parts of three seasons and reflected on times when he looked unhittable. “Domination. I mean, it was like cartoon stuff. Guys had no chance,” Roberts began.

“The Game Over, the Welcome to the Jungle, it was a craze. There was a thing where Dodgers fans would leave early, but with Eric closing out games, no one left, and that was pretty cool.

“I remember being out in center field sometimes taking my glove off, feeling I didn’t even need to have my glove on. And I would kind of challenge myself by not having my glove on when the pitch was thrown. I mean, he was just dominant. He was very well prepared. Very smart guy, Eric is very smart.

“The command was unbelievable. The fastball was commanded, the breaking ball was filthy, and then the changeup was like a Bugs Bunny changeup. So it’s good, it’s good. I’m sure he’s still in great shape right now.

“He asked me to throw out the first pitch, but I think I’m going to decline, because I don’t know what he’s going to throw and I don’t want him to embarrass me. So hopefully somebody else will catch it.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Eric GagnéLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Robert Stephenson
FeaturedRumors

MLB Free Agency Rumors: Robert Stephenson Signing With Angels

January 20, 2024
January 20, 2024
Cody-bellinger-30
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Hopeful To Hit More Home Runs Moving Forward

November 17, 2017
November 17, 2017
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager hits a single during Game 1 of the 2019 NLDS
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Believes Pitchers Exploited Corey Seager’s Tendency To Swing At First Pitch

November 24, 2019
November 24, 2019
Preview: Dodgers Look To Even Series And Solve Jake Arrieta
Dodgers News

Preview: Dodgers Look To Even Series And Solve Jake Arrieta

May 31, 2016
May 31, 2016

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어