Former star closer Eric Gagne has elected to end his comeback bid, reports Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (Twitter link). The 41-year-old told Cotillo that he plans to turn his attention to coaching.
Gagne, who last pitched in the majors in 2008 and retired for the first time in 2010, decided in February that he would attempt to get back to the leagues. He then impressed out of Team Canada’s bullpen during the World Baseball Classic, which led multiple teams to show interest in Gagne. The Dodgers, with whom Gagne spent the majority of his career, even discussed a minor league contract with him in early April, but no agreement came to fruition with them or any other major league organization. Undeterred, Gagne signed with the independent Long Island Ducks two-plus weeks ago. He didn’t fare well over 3 2/3 innings, though, leading him to wrap up his playing career for good.
Gagne debuted in the majors as a starter in 1999 and went on to pitch for four teams, with which he combined for a 3.47 ERA, 10.04 K/9, 3.16 BB/9 and 187 saves. He won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2007, but his best years came in Los Angeles. Gagne was especially dominant from 2002-04, a stretch in which he picked up 152 saves on 153 tries (including a staggering 84 in a row) and earned three straight All-Star nods and the National League Cy Young (2003).
While Gagne’s career was resoundingly successful, it wasn’t devoid of controversy. Gagne appeared in the Mitchell Report in 2004 for using human growth hormone, which he thought would help him overcome a knee injury, and then alleged that 80 percent of his Dodgers teammates used performance-enhancing drugs.
Thank God.
stop with your stupid commentds
no one was going to have a 41 year old washed up guy take up a roster spot anyways
Bartolo Colon and the Atlanta Braves beg to differ.
but bartolo hasn’t been out of baseball for almost 10 years
Stunned the Reds didn’t!
Anyone know what his stats were with the Ducks?
5 G 3.2 IP 5K 4BB 9R (5ER) 12.27 ERA
I’ll never forget when juiced up Gagne threw at, then stared down, juiced up Bonds.
Roid rage vs. Roid Rage, the final battle.
The Rangers will sign Gagne…then trade him to the Red Sox again.
… the horror. The horror.
Gagne (juiced) pitching to Bonds (juiced)….I guess it was a nice blend
That didn’t last long
Gagne got paid more than $40 million in his career. Even with expenses for doctors and “treatments”, it was lucrative for him to be in the MLB branch of the entertainment business.
He without PED needle in his bum cast the 1st stone…
The cream! The clear! Wait, I thought it was flaxseed oil.
Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Maybe the Cardinals will release Broxton and he will end up just like him