Eric Gagné returns to Dodgers’ mound on the 20th anniversary of his 84 consecutive saves streak
Former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Eric Gagne throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Mark J. Terrill]
LOS ANGELES (AP) — With “Welcome to the Jungle” blaring like the old days, Eric Gagné took the mound and fired a strike on the 20th anniversary of recording his 84th consecutive save for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The mark still stands as the longest such streak in major league history. The Canadian right-hander struck out 139 batters during the streak and didn’t allow any of 123 inherited batters to score. Current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was Gagné’s teammate back then and helped preserve the streak. One night in Houston, Roberts robbed Lance Berkman of a potential home run in the ninth. Roberts says he’s still waiting for Gagné to thank him with a steak dinner.
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FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Eric Gagne delivers a pitch to Colorado Rockies batter Preston Wilson in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Denver on Monday, July 26, 2004. Gagne won the 2007 World Series with the Red Sox during his 10-year major league career (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/DAVID ZALUBOWSKI