Reports indicate former Cy Young winner Eric Gagne has decided to retire from professional baseball.
According to ruefrontenac.com, the 34-year-old says he no longer has the competitive drive for the game. The Montreal native was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers this past March.
Gagne began his major league career as a starter with the Dodgers in 1999, but really stepped into the spotlight during the 2002 season as the team's closer.
From 2002 to 2004, Gagne was arguably the best stopper in baseball, using a plus-fastball and devastating change to rack up 152 saves in 158 chances, with a 1.79 ERA to go with 365 strikeouts in 247 innings. He also saved a major-league record 84 straight games at one point during the three-year run.
He was a perfect 55 for 55 in save chances in 2003 and claimed the National League Cy Young Award.
Gagne played for the Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers over his 10 seasons and compiled a 33-26 record with 187 saves (in 204 chances), a 3.47 ERA and 718 strikeouts in 643.2 innings. He has battled numerous injuries over the past few seasons including shoulder, elbow and hip issues.
He was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Dodgers in 1995.
