Éric Gagné has an estimated net worth of $16 million. The Canadian former professional baseball pitcher spent 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gagné became one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball during the early 2000s. He led the National League in saves and won the Cy Young Award in 2003, establishing himself as one of the best closers in the sport.
After his successful years with the Dodgers, Gagné played for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. He was also part of the Boston Red Sox team that won the 2007 World Series.
During his MLB career, Éric Gagné earned approximately $40 million in salary.
| Éric Gagné Net Worth | $16 Million |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Éric Gagné’s Career Earnings
Éric Gagné earned approximately $40 million in MLB salary during his professional baseball career.
Much of his financial success came during his peak years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, when he developed into one of the most reliable closers in baseball.
His earnings also included contracts with the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers.
Although injuries shortened the most productive part of his career, Gagné’s dominance during his prime helped him secure lucrative contracts and build substantial wealth.
Early Life
Éric Gagné was born on January 7, 1976, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
He grew up playing both baseball and ice hockey and was coached by his father, Richard. Gagné eventually became a standout player on Canada’s Junior World Championship teams.
He attended Polyvalente Édouard-Montpetit High School in Montreal before moving to Oklahoma to attend Seminole Junior College.
At Seminole Junior College, Gagné established himself as a star pitcher and continued developing the skills that would eventually lead him to professional baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Gagné was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 1994 MLB Draft but did not sign with the organization.
The following year, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an amateur free agent.
Gagné began his professional career in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Dodgers in September 1999.
His first few seasons in the majors were relatively modest. He compiled an 11-14 record in 48 games before the Dodgers moved him into a relief role.
That decision changed his career.
Éric Gagné’s Breakthrough as a Closer
Gagné became a relief pitcher in 2002 and quickly developed into one of the most effective closers in the National League.
He recorded 52 saves that season, putting him among the elite relievers in baseball.
His 2003 season was even more impressive.
Gagné converted all 55 of his save opportunities and became the first MLB pitcher to record at least 50 saves in multiple seasons.
He finished the season with a remarkable 1.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts.
His dominance earned him the National League Cy Young Award, making him one of the few relief pitchers to win the prestigious award.
Record Save Streak
Gagné continued his remarkable run into the 2004 season.
His streak of consecutive successful saves eventually reached 84, an MLB record at the time.
The streak ended in July 2004.
Shortly afterward, Gagné recorded his 130th career save, making him the Dodgers’ all-time leader in saves at that point.
His combination of a powerful fastball and devastating changeup made him one of the most difficult relievers for opposing hitters to face.
Dodgers Career
Gagné signed a new two-year contract with the Dodgers before the 2005 season.
However, injuries severely limited his availability.
He appeared in only 14 games that year. The Dodgers initially announced that he would undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, which would have been his second such procedure after undergoing the surgery in 1997.
Doctors ultimately resolved the elbow problem through a less invasive procedure, but Gagné still missed the remainder of the season.
He returned in June 2006 but was soon placed back on the disabled list because of recurring elbow problems.
A subsequent back injury required season-ending surgery.
Following the 2006 season, the Dodgers declined to extend his contract, making Gagné a free agent.
Texas Rangers
Gagné signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers in late 2006.
His injury problems continued, and he began another season on the disabled list.
Despite the setbacks, Gagné performed well when healthy.
He finished his time with Texas with a 2-0 record, 16 saves and a 2.16 ERA.
The Rangers traded him to the Boston Red Sox on July 31, 2007.
Boston Red Sox
Gagné initially struggled after joining Boston.
During his first 15 appearances, he allowed 14 earned runs over 14 innings.
He gradually improved as the season progressed and eventually earned a place on the Red Sox’s postseason roster.
Boston went on to win the 2007 World Series, sweeping the Colorado Rockies.
Gagné made one appearance during the World Series. He pitched a perfect ninth inning in Boston’s 13-1 victory in Game 1.
Although his overall season with Boston was not among his best, being part of a championship-winning team became an important achievement in his career.
Milwaukee Brewers
Following the 2007 season, Gagné signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.
His struggles continued.
He eventually lost his closer role to Salomón Torres and was later placed on the disabled list because of a rotator cuff injury.
After returning, Gagné continued to have difficulty finding his earlier form.
He finished the 2008 season with career lows of 10 saves, 38 strikeouts and a 5.41 ERA.
Gagné became a free agent after the season.
Later Baseball Career
In 2009, Gagné joined the Québec Capitales of the Can-Am League as both a starting pitcher and coach.
He helped the team win the league championship that season.
In 2010, he attempted to return to MLB by signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, he appeared in only one minor league game before requesting his release and subsequently announcing his retirement.
Gagné later made several brief returns to competitive baseball.
He played in a Can-Am League game for the Trois-Rivières Aigles and later pitched for the Ottawa Champions.
In 2017, he signed with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks but again announced his retirement shortly afterward.
Beyond playing, Gagné worked as a coach for organizations including the French national baseball team, the Arizona League Rangers and the Nashville Sounds.
Personal Life
Gagné was previously married to Valerie Hervieux.
The couple have two daughters and two sons.
In the summer of 2020, Gagné was involved in several reported hit-and-run incidents in Terrebonne, Quebec, and was reportedly apprehended by police.
Real Estate
Gagné has owned several properties in Arizona over the years.
In 2008, he paid slightly less than $5 million for a home in Paradise Valley. He later sold the property in 2013 for approximately $3.25 million.
He had previously purchased another Paradise Valley home for $2.5 million in July 2004. That property was sold in 2015 for approximately $1.79 million.
In May 2017, Gagné purchased another home in the same area for approximately $2.1 million.
He later sold that property for approximately $4.5 million in late 2020.
Also Read: Johan Santana Net Worth
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
