[LansdowneSt]

In 1999, Canadian Éric Gagné compiled a won-loss record of 12-4, with an ERA of 2.63 and 185 strikeouts in 26 starts. That earned him the league's "Pitcher of the Year" award and a first call-up to the big club, and he made 5 late-season starts for the Dodgers, going 1-1 with a sparkling 2.10 ERA over 30 innings. Now the top pitching prospect in the Dodgers organization, it was just a matter of time until Gagné earned a permanent spot in the major league team's starting rotation. He split 2001 between AAA Las Vegas and Los Angeles, improving to 6-7, 4.75 in the majors; in AAA, he showed that he had nothing left to prove, posting 3 wins in 4 starts with an ERA of 1.52.

It seemed at that point that Eric Gagné was ready to settle in as a full-time member of the Dodgers starting rotation, but fate intervened. His manager in spring training of 2002, Jim Tracy, decided to make him his closer. To say that he took well to his new job would be a major understatement. From 2002-2004, he managed to pitch exactly 82 1/3 innings in each of the three years. During that stretch, he was the most dominating relief pitcher in the majors, saving 52 games with an ERA under 2.00 the first season, then turning in one of the greatest seasons ever by a relief pitcher in 2003. He saved 55 games in 55 opportunities to lead the National League, allowed a mere 37 hits for the season, and struck out 137 batters while walking only 20. He earned the nickname "Game Over", as he was almost untouchable when he stepped on the mound. With his hulking physique, unkempt hair, black goatee and goggles, he was an extremely intimidating presence on the mound, and a favorite of Dodger Stadium fans. He was voted the winner of the National League Cy Young Award in 2003. Gagné's run of God-like dominance ended early in the 2005 season. He hurt his knee in spring training, tried to come back too early, then hurt his arm and departed as a free agent in 2006.

He resurfaced in the news just before the 2018 World Series, which ironically featured two of his former teams, the Dodgers and Red Sox. A long-time friend of Red Sox manager Alex Cora, he realized while watching the games from his home in Montréal that closer Craig Kimbrel was tipping his pitches, which explained his struggles through the first two rounds of the postseason. He immediately informed Cora, and pitching coach Dana LeVangie worked to correct the flaw before Game 5 of the ALCS. - bRef Bullpen wiki

Nearly every formal picture Gagne had done was without his glasses. That's why the default CU Facepack is without them. There was just one good photo I found to use and it had some odd coloring patches (bright whitish spots) that the facegen software kept picking up that I had to color out of the source file before getting something close to work with. Some of the spots remain but I don't think they materially detract from the image. What I couldn't fix, I smoothed out of the fg as best I could - but I think the glasses, thanks to the trademark black centerpiece, can still be discerned. The edges of his custom Oakley-made frames were clear anyway so it's not surprising they are not readily visible. So, here's a with-glasses Gagne as best I could make it. I've tried Lasorda a few times and will again. I wasn't happy how the fg I made aged in the game.