"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."
Eric Gagné signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1995 and debuted on Sept. 7, 1999. He began his career primarily as a starting pitcher but was largely ineffective and was converted to a reliever in 2002. He became the Dodgers' closer after Jeff Shaw retired. In his first season as closer he posted a 1.97 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 114 strikeouts in 82.1 innings, earning the first of three straight All-Star selections. He began an 84-save streak on Aug. 28, 2002, recorded 52 saves that year and converted all 55 save opportunities in 2003, tying the National League single-season record and becoming the fastest to 100 career saves.
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