So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 38
No. 38:
Our pick:
==Eric Gagne, Dodgers (2001-06) (also wore No. 48 in '99-'00)
You're probably using your "Game Over" towel to soak up oil spills in the driveway, and that "Game Over" T-shirt with the fuzzy patch of fur on it has become a scratching post for the cat. But the closer converted from a so-so starting pitcher found a way to capture lightning for three seasons, winning the Cy Young Award in '03 where he set the MLB record with 84 straight converted save opportunites. He missed all of '97 with Tommy John surgery, then was 11-14 over 48 games (38 starts) over his first three big-league seasons.
Coverted to a closer by Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colburn to start the '02 season, Gagne led the league with 52 saves, setting up hitters with his 98-mph fast ball followed by his 78 mph changeup. The next season, he equaled the NL record with 55 saves -- in 55 changes -- and 55 percent of the batters he faced, he struck out. Hie 1.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts to 20 walks in 82 1/3 innings pitched were enough to get him the Cy Young. On July 4, 2004, the save streak ended.
Then, the injuries started to happen again.
In June, '05, he had to do another Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Then there was a nerve problem in the arm. He had another surgery to remove the nerve in 2006. Then he had two herniated discs that needed surgery in July, '06. Regrettably, the Dodgers decided not to renew his contract that called for $12 million in '07. The Rangers signed him, then sent him to Boston, where he's with the Red Sox's playoff team. When he got the final out of a three-game sweep against the Angels in Anaheim, it was the first time he'd pitched in a post-season victory.
"I've had the best year of my life so far," said Gagne. Don't speak so fast. You've seen him during the playoffs, right?
Other No. 38s:
==Burr Baldwin, UCLA football ('41-'46)
The first UCLA All American, finished ninth in the '46 Heisman voting behind winner Glenn Davis (Army), and appeared in two Rose Bowls
==Dave Goltz, Dodgers ('80-'82)
==Clyde Wright, Angels ('66-'73)
Won 22 games and pitched a no-hitter for the Angels in 1970. In the '70 All-Star game, he gave up the hit to Jim Hickman that drove in Pete Rose with the barrel-home winning run in the 12th inning.
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 38: Curt Schilling, over George Rogers.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: