Tag Archive | "Eric Gagne"

Looking Back at Mr. Game Over

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Looking Back at Mr. Game Over


Word has come this week that Eric Gagne has officially decided to call it a career.  The former Cy Young Award winner tried one last gasp to stay in the majors, but the Dodgers had no room for him after Spring Training.

While this news was pretty much a given since his release, it still got me thinking about Gagne’s career.  One question keeps running through my head: How should he be remembered?  On one hand, he was the man who in many ways single-handedly brought excitement back to Dodger Stadium from 2002-2004.  On the other, there’s the Mitchell Report, and the subsequent nosedive his career took after the injuries starting piling up in 2005.

There’s no denying just how important he was to the Dodgers’ franchise during that three-year window of 2002-2004.  The old days of Dodger fans “coming late and leaving early” was at least slashed in half to “coming late and staying for Gagne.”  That was no easy task!

Let’s remember just what type of team the Dodgers were back in 2002.  At the time, they hadn’t even won a playoff game since finishing off the Oakland A’s in the 1988 World Series.  Heck, they hadn’t even been to the playoffs since getting swept by the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 NLDS.

Tommy Lasorda had been retired for six years, Mike Piazza was long gone, Gary Sheffield whined his way out of town, the Kevin Brown megadeal was a disaster, and the buzz surrounding Hideo Nomo had fizzled out.  The franchise was desperate for a winning formula, and a reason to make fans not only come, but stay.

Enter Eric Gagne.  Not only did he make his presence felt, but he became a larger-than-life character.  What other franchise would have the confidence (or arrogance, depending on your view) to blast “Welcome to the Jungle” while flashing “Game Over” on the video board if they couldn’t back it up?  The Dodgers did, and Gagne made them look good.

With Gagne in full effect, he helped lead the Dodgers up the standings by a spot each year, eventually helping them get their first playoff win in 2004 (the Jose Lima game against the Cardinals in the NLDS). Perhaps most impressively, Gagne not only accepted, but thrived in the late-game role.  He built his reputation as a clutch player, and he lived up to it each time he took the mound.

So there’s the good part about Gagne’s career.  I wish I could go on and on about how he became the all-time saves leader, a hall of famer, and lead the Dodgers in saves for years to come.  Unfortunately, reality stepped in, and it was all downhill after the 2004 season.

How exactly did his career tank so fast?  Well, many theories exist.  What we do know is this: he had Tommy John surgery in 2005, back surgery in 2006, and surfaced in the Mitchell Report in 2007.

It took until February of this year, but Gagne finally admitted to taking HGH.  But, he claims it was to help him get over knee problems, and never said anything about helping him get stronger.  For those of you that remember, Gagne was one of the bigger players in the league, and that wasn’t the case when he first started pitching in ’99.  Coincidence?  It’s hard not to think that way.

And that’s the problem with being one of the main players linked to the Mitchell Report.  We may not know what to believe, but if pressed, we think guilt first and innocence later.  Had Gagne not been so incredibly good during his heyday, we might take his word for it.  But it’s only natural for people to think that his career is tainted.

How will I remember Gagne?  Unfortunately, as another sad case of a baseball star from the “Steroid Era” who has too many question marks to believe in.  Don’t get me wrong – I’ll never forget all of the fun and big moments he brought Dodger fans.

It’s such a shame that in the end, those question marks have forever ruined his reputation.

Posted in Aaron WaymireComments (11)

Why Can’t the Ortiz’s Stick To The Script?

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Why Can’t the Ortiz’s Stick To The Script?


Just a couple of weeks ago, I had this all figured out.  Stults was our #5 and Belisario, Kuo, Elbert, Elbert, Gagne, McDonald, Zerpa and Wade were all in thebullpen picture.

Fast Forward two weeks and Eric Stults is still a leading candidate (and has pitched very well in the starting role), but most of the above names are no longer candidates to be on the opening day roster.   It’s possible Kuo and Belisario could make the team, but time is running out because Kuo could be on the DL and Belisario could be on the “Felony Stupid List” for not showing up  on time.  James McDonald is “on-the-bubble” and could easily be sent to AAA as well.  Josh Lindblom has an outside chance, but I think the Dodgers would like to send him to AAA to see if he can cut it as a starter all season.  It’s a “given” that he will be an outstanding reliever, but some in the organization think he has the stuff to be a soild #3 Starter.

Armando Zerpa was sent back to Boston.  Eric Gagne was sent to Minor League Camp and Cory Wade is sporting a sore wing, but Ramon Ortiz has been the surprise of the spring.  He used to be a guy who tried to blow every pitch past the hitters at 95 MPH, but has now learned some new tricks.  In fact he has pitched 9 innings this Spring and allowed 5 hits while striking out 11 and only walking 2.  It has been reported that he developed a nasty new pitch in Japan in 2008.

Russ Ortiz is also pitching well with 5 scoreless innings so far (that’s a small sampling – let’s see what he does in his next start), and these two guys are screwing up my projections. I still don’t think it’s likely that Russ makes the team, but Ramon has the stuff to be the Dodgers #5. Eric Stults has his hands full.  A few weeks ago, I said there would be a big surprise.  So far, it has been Ramon Ortiz.  Jon Weisman makes good points about the “Ortiz Tease”, as he calls it.

NEXT YEAR FOR XAVIER PAUL

X. Paul has no chance to make the team this year, unless someone gets injured.  As of right now, Doug Mientkiewicz AND Garrett Anderson could BOTH make the team – You can’t have too many bats.  Xavier won’t like it, but he could benefit from a full season at AAA and the become the Dodgers LF in 2011.  Most people think he’s a 4th OF, but he could be a very serviceable LF in the future.  Good Speed, Decent Power, Excellent Glove, Cannon Arm.  Watch him!

WHO BATS #2?

I really am not invested emotionally as to who hits #2.  There is no RIGHT answer.  You typically only bat 2nd one time a game, but if Matt Kemp is the second batter, I think the Dodgers will score more runs in the first inning.  Also, while he is a good baserunner, Blake DeWitt has average speed (at best) – I like him lower in the order because of the speed issue.  Russ Martin is faster than DeWitt!  It’s an argument for which I can play both sides, but these’s just one thing to consider:  If you are an opposing manager, and knew you were going to have to face 4 batters in the first inning, which 4 would you rather face:

  1. Furcal
  2. Kemp
  3. Ethier
  4. Ramirez

OR

  1. Furcal
  2. DeWitt
  3. Kemp
  4. Ethier

It’s an EASY answer, no explanation necessary!

GET WITH..ROW IT!

By all accounts Chris Withrow looked outstanding in his 1 inning of work.  He struck out the side and displayed a 92-95 MPH fastball with a lot of late movement.  He’ll see time in the Majors as soon as next season!  Like Clayton Kershaw, he’s not going to need a lot of time in the minors.

CUTS THAT COUNT:

Travis Schlichting,  Brent Leach and Ivan De Jesus Jr. were all sent to minor league camp.  Both pitchers could be part of the “AAA Shuttle” this year.  DeJesus will be a nice utilityman, as early as next season.  He does not possess enough speed to hit high in the order, not enough power to hit above #7 and not enough range to be an everyday SS.  He has a good bat, but his lack of other skills makes him a sub, in my opinion.

RUMBLINGS

  • Scouts are more than amazed at Dee Gordon’s speed.  He can nearly beat out a routine groundball to 2B!   The fielder has to execute perfectly every time or he’s on.  He may skip High A ball and go to AA.  It will depend upon his maturity level.
  • Scott Van Slyke looks like a player, but then again, so does Preston Mattingly.  2010 is a make or break season for both.
  • “Boy, do those Dodgers have arms!”  A comment frequently heard among opposing scouts and officials.
  • Jamie McCourt wants to be President of the United States (no thanks) – Bill Shaikin of The LA Times
  • Must Read:  Steve Dilbeck of The LA Times on Casey Blake (the one you don’t see)
  • Tony Jackson’s Mailbag

GAME NOT OVER?

According to Ken Gurnick, Eric Gagne texted this upon his demotion to the Minors:

“I’m on my way back,” he wrote. “I knew it wasn’t gonna be easy. But I’m gonna go down there and work my butt off and be ready if they need help!! Long season.”

We’ll see….

FIVE DAYS UNTIL CAMELBACK RANCH!

Posted in Mark TimmonsComments (8)

I Am Not  A Frank McCourt Fan

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I Am Not A Frank McCourt Fan


… nor am I a hater.  I see the good he has done as the owner of the Dodgers.  I see the mistakes he has made as well.  However, he seems to have learned each time he makes a mistake.   Overall, the Dodgers are in much better shape than when he took over.  His lifestyle seems excessive – in my business, I work with the rich and famous and don’t really care about all their “stuff.”  My “stuff” is fine.  If I had their money, I wouldn’t live the way they live… but that’s just me.  If they want to live excessively (my opinion) that’s their gig. 

However, I am sick of this Dodger Divorce.  It’s a soap opera and I will no longer talk about it until the case is decided.  I’ll take it a step further – I’ll delete any posts or comments on this issue.  I don’t want to hear about it.  It’s something I don’t care about.  I don’t care about “what if.”  I care about “what is.”  The Dodgers IS.

That’s what I want to focus on:  The Dodgers.  The baseball part of the business.  The players.  The coaches.  The minor leagues.  That’s all.  If I can’t do that, I’ll shut this blog down.

This is a Dodger blog – not a McCourt blog.  I don’t want it.  I won’t have it and I’m done with it.  “Frank, I don’t live for you, and hopefully you get that.”

This blog is about Matt Kemp, Jon Broxton, Eric Gagne, Chad Billingsley, James Loney, Clayton Kershaw, Casey Blake, Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin and all the rest of the boys.

I am not against Frank McCourt… nor am I for him.

Whatever happens, happens – the Dodgers will thrive, or survive under Frank McCourt.

This is a Dodgers Zone!

Nothing else!

Posted in Mark TimmonsComments (30)

The Opposite of Love Is Not Hate

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The Opposite of Love Is Not Hate


  • I think that Frank and Jamie McCourt need to learn that hate is not the opposite of love, because right about now they are loving to hate each other.   When you get to
    His Game IS Over...

    His Game IS Over...

    apathy,  then you are at the opposite of love.  Look, I don’t know who did what to whom… and I don’t care.  Move along.  Get on with your lives and quit acting like idiots.  It’s all very boring to most of us.

  • Old friend Jonathan Figueora died at age 26 of lupus, according to Diamond Leung.  You just never know…
  • Diamond Leung also reports that Eric Gagne wants to come back – maybe with the Dodgers and that he’d be open to a minor league deal.  Well, I’d sign him to that and it  sounds nice, but Game Over’s game is over!  Too bad!
  • I don’t put much stock in the George Sherrill for Edwin Jackson rumor, although the Dodgers would do that in a second.  I can’t see the Tigers doing it straight up.  I’d trade James McDonald AND Sherrill for Jackson in a heartbeat!
  • Ditto on the AJ Ellis for Alberto Callaspo.  Why would KC do that?  I doubt that AJ Ellis can hit .150 in the majors, and even I can run faster than him.
  • Scout Mitch Webster left the Dodgers to become scouting director for the KC Royals.  Read the full story

Posted in Mark TimmonsComments (8)


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