CENTER FIELD :: It's Gagne Time!

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It's Gagne Time!

Earlier this week, it looked as though Red Sox fans were going to be denied the chance to see their beloved Eric Gagne up close and personal when Brewers' manager Ned Yost unceremoniously yanked Gagne from the closer role after he notched a league-leading FIFTH blown save. To Sox fans, this seemed a little crazy. Not because benching Gagne is crazy-- but because after his performance last year, it's kind of like paying $10 million for a broken-down ratty old monkey windup toy... and then getting mad and throwing the monkey away when it couldn't play a tune on its cymbals. It's a broken-down ratty old monkey! Of course it can't play the cymbals well!

Never fear, Sox hecklers -- the dream is still alive: Gagne was restored to his rightful role as the closer/broken-down monkey for the Brewers after just a two day "mental break". I'm not sure what he did during that "mental break" (buy a new pair of weird goggles? say "eh?" and "aboot" a lot? drink some Molson beer? hang out with Mounties?), but I'm all for it if it means we still have a shot at seeing Gagne enter a game this weekend against the Sox at Fenway.

I'm thinking the fans should hurl water bottles at him again, so he feels right at home back in Fenway.

Gagne can't even catch a break on Wikipedia. Commenter 1863_project noticed a section on Gagne's Wiki page (long since removed, of course) criticizing his fashion choices as well. Thanks to 1863 for screencapping it for posterity:

No mention of his heinous goggle glasses and weird hair? Come on now, anonymous Wiki fashion critic -- get on the ball!

Comments (10)

[ jules ] says:
on May 16, 2008 4:18 PM

I'm cracking up over the monkey image. Classic.

I am so ready for some baseball. It's been an epic week--insane hours, last minute meetings ("oh...*you're* going to present--you don't need more than an hour to prepare, do you?"), impossible deadlines (wooooshing by, of course), and freakin' 100+ degree weather. In May.

In a way, I feel for Gagne. I liked him *before* he came to Boston and hoped he'd work out. But...we all know how that turned out.

Let's go boys and win these games.

We're living in Bizzaro World when the Rays are on top and the Yanks are in the basement (not that I mind *that* ;-).

[ Jane ] says:
on May 16, 2008 4:33 PM

I can't lie, Texy. I've been waiting all day for a Gagne review. And you did not disappoint. Plus, you added monkeys. Musical ones. So, thank you.

I'm pumped for gametime. I may even break out my Matsuzaka-san thunder sticks from his Fenway debut last year.

Also, try saying "Matsuzaka-san thunder sticks" five times fast.

[ jules ] says:
on May 16, 2008 4:55 PM

"Matsuzaka-san thunder sticks"

"Matsuzaka-san thunder sticks"

Did it.

;-)

(oh yeah, it's soooooooooooooo Friday and I'm going to bail a bit early)

[ ecl1958 ] says:
on May 16, 2008 5:41 PM

Ah jules, you're making me jealous. I don't get to bail early, but in fact quite late. I attended an organizational function yesterday evening from 5 to 7 (I normally work until ~ 6:15/6:30), and my boss AKA the reincarnation of Leona Helmsley, The Queen of Mean, informed me that it was not considered work time, never mind that it took place about 50 steps from my cubicle. Rather than take vacation time because I chose to attend (and participate in) our senior faculty member's retirement roast-n-toast, I'm making up the time so won't even be leaving the office until 7:30. Ugh. So although I'll probably be checking in on the gameday thread early on, I won't get to relax and really join the fray until probably at least the 3rd inning. Ah well, at least the Sat/Sun games are on TV here.

[ jules ] says:
on May 16, 2008 7:06 PM

ecl...That flat-out SUCKS! I'm sorry to year that. It's what...7 for you, so you're still there. Not fun. I've put in some 10 and 11 hour days this week. I need to work this weekend (but I think I left my flash drive at work--doh!).

[ Twinkie ] says:
on May 16, 2008 8:24 PM

Re: the waterbottles? I tried (to no avail) to get tickets for this series so I could do just that.

[ Twinkie ] says:
on May 16, 2008 8:27 PM

Oh, and a Brewers fan on my flist said he looks homeless. I think she's right about that.

[ Liza ] says:
on May 16, 2008 9:27 PM

I really, really hope we get to see some Kapler homers and Gagne blown saves... but maybe just one of the former and hopefully three of the latter.

[ fc ] says:
on May 16, 2008 10:15 PM

I was at the rainout tonight and have to share: a couple of Brewers fans were parading around the concourse with a sign that said "Boston, Take Gagne Back, PLEASE" As added enticement, one of them was shouting the promise of "Free beer for a year!"

Sorry, kids. No one needs a drink that bad.

[ Lyndsay ] says:
on May 19, 2008 9:30 AM

grrrr we were TOTALLY denied some Gagne this weekend! we want Gagne! bring us Gagne! (raises pitchfork)

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