CLOSE THE GATE ON A SPECIAL TIME.Byline: STEVE DILBECK It's one thing to experience an extraordinary moment, and another to completely appreciate it as it unfolds. To understand its uniqueness, to become completely enveloped en·vel·op tr.v. en·vel·oped, en·vel·op·ing, en·vel·ops 1. To enclose or encase completely with or as if with a covering: "Accompanying the darkness, a stillness envelops the city" by it. For three marvelous seasons it was anticipated nightly at Dodger Stadium • • [ . Fans focusing on Valley News the scoreboard, making mental notes whether a save situation was developing, crossing fingers and hoping it would come to fruition. The anticipation for the arrival of Eric Gagne started with the first pitch and then built throughout the game. If the Dodgers led by three runs, fans would almost hope they wouldn't VNscore again. Then with the last out of the top of the ninth, the expectancy became almost corporeal Possessing a physical nature; having an objective, tangible existence; being capable of perception by touch and sight. Under Common Law, corporeal hereditaments are physical objects encompassed in land, including the land itself and any tangible object on it, that can be . Everyone rose to their feet. All eyes went to the bullpen. Rock music blared, the stadium reverberated. And then the bullpen gate swung open. No gate has ever swung quite like it. Gagne entered the field. Fans, teammates, opponents, media. It was difficult not to get caught up in it. With his prescription goggles goggles, n the protective eyewear worn by dental personnel and patients during dental procedures. goggles see periocular leukotrichia. , scruffy goatee, sweat-stained cap and burly physique, L.A.'s favorite Canadian would take the mound and fans would almost jump up and down like a sea of giddy children. Game Over was in his element. ``That gate would swing open, he would come out and just the anticipation of the fans -- it was something truly special,'' said former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy
"Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. how you can put that into words.'' Gagne would come right after hitters. Throw his fastball at 98 mph. Come back with a changeup that would just freeze hitters. ``Oh, that's just not fair,'' Vin Scully For the American architecture historian, see . Vincent Edward "Vin" Scully (born November 29, 1927, in The Bronx, New York) is an American sportscaster, known primarily as the play-by-play voice of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball teams. would say from the broadcast booth. Gagne would make quick work of his specialized challenge. Would not just beat hitters, but leave them frustrated, shaking heads as they walked away helplessly from the batters box. He was almost untouchable untouchable Former classification of various low-status persons and those outside the Hindu caste system in Indian society. The term Dalit is now used for such people (in preference to Mohandas K. . He was unique. And everyone appreciated what they were witnessing, experiencing, almost sharing. How many times has a relief pitcher relief pitcher n. Baseball A pitcher who replaces another during a game. Noun 1. relief pitcher - a pitcher who does not start the game fireman, reliever become the focal point focal point n. See focus. of a team? Been its one indisputable star? Never. Or at least, never before. He was a phenomenon. He saved a record 84 consecutive games. Dominated at every opportunity. Became the very best thing about the Dodgers. ``I saw something that in our lifetime, or in any other baseball fan's lifetime, we will never see again,'' said Tracy, now the Pirates manager. ``He saved 84 games in a row. It will be a long time before that's seen again, if it ever is.'' It won't likely ever be seen at Dodger Stadium again. As eras go, it was too short, but it has now passed. Word leaked out Tuesday the Texas Rangers Texas Rangers, mounted fighting force organized (1835) during the Texas Revolution. During the republic they became established as the guardians of the Texas frontier, particularly against Native Americans. had reached a preliminary agreement with Gagne for a one-year contract worth about $6 million. The deal would also allow him to earn up to another $5 million in performance bonuses. That's a pretty impressive contract for someone coming off three surgeries in the last year and a half, who has essentially not pitched since 2004. The Dodgers also made a generous offer for someone who is clearly a physical gamble. Their deal was one year for $4 million, with performance bonuses that could have taken it to about $10 million. For $1 million up front, maybe you think he should have re-signed with his home team. Gagne's agent, it should be noted, is Scott Boras Scott Boras (b. November 2, 1952 in California) is a sports agent for professional baseball players. He is the president of Scott Boras Corporation, which holds its headquarters in Newport Beach, California. . With Boras Bo·rås A city of southwest Sweden east of Göteborg. It was founded in 1632. Population: 60,900. -- as the Dodgers learned again with J.D. Drew -- it is always about the money. The Dodgers now have only one Boras client left, Derek Lowe Derek Christopher Lowe[1] (born June 1, 1973 in Dearborn, Michigan)[2] is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He throws and bats right-handed. , and he's signed through 2008. The Dodgers had paid Gagne $19 million the past two seasons and had nine saves to show for it. Of course, when he won the Cy Young Award in 2003 he made just over $500,000. And the Dodgers had just bought out of his $12 million option for next season for $1 million. It's a money business all the way around. No hard feelings anywhere, just a touch of sorrow that something so special may never be seen here again. ``The Texas Rangers, with some of the things he's been through, are obviously betting on the come a little bit,'' Tracy said. ``But as a ninth-inning pitcher, with the game on the line -- with no disrespect to Trevor Hoffman -- he's the best I've ever seen. ``I'm fortunate that he was one of the people I had the pleasure to manage.'' The Rangers hope he can again be a closer. If not, at least a setup man for Akinori Otsuka. The Dodgers came up with a fine closer in Takashi Saito last season, though general manager Ned Colletti said if they did re-sign Gagne they would give him the chance to close. Texas, however, offers fresh opportunity. Gagne turns 31 in a few weeks and became the game's best closer after having Tommy John surgery Tommy John surgery, known by doctors as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL), is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body (often from the forearm, hamstring, knee, or foot of the in 1997. Now he's coming off two elbow surgeries and back surgery. Still, the upside remains significant. ``What if he does come back to where he is healthy?'' Tracy said. ``He's only 31. How many more games can he save? ``He does not have to throw 98 mph to save games. With that other pitch he has, he can throw 93 and still get everybody out.'' If it happens, it just won't be in Chavez Ravine. For the Dodgers and Gagne, it is game over. His was a special time here, and every single moment appreciated. Yet if the gate swings open with the same magic next season, it will be in Texas. stephen.dilbeck@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Fans at Dodger Stadium salute Eric Gagne after his 84-save streak was broken in July 2004. Doug Benc/Getty Images |
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