Gagne passes torch to Jansen in ceremony

Dodgers closer set franchise record Monday with 162nd save

June 22nd, 2016

LOS ANGELES -- Kenley Jansen has 162 saves for the Dodgers. Eric Gagne had 161.
Bullpen catcher Rob Flippo warmed them up for all 323.
The Dodgers held a pregame ceremony before Tuesday night's 3-2 win to mark the franchise record Jansen took from Gagne on Monday night when Jansen closed out a 4-1 win over the Nationals. Gagne was there to pass the torch, entering as usual to Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle."
"You guys have the greatest closer in Dodger history right here," Gagne said.
Jansen followed with 2Pac's "California Love," thanking Gagne for the congratulatory postgame phone call.
"It means all the world to me to have one of the greatest closers of all-time here," Jansen said.

While all that was going on, Flippo was in the Dodgers bullpen, where he's held the job for 15 years.
"Gagne was way higher intensity," said Flippo in comparing the two closers. "When he got up, it was rapid fire. I'd catch it and throw it back, and he'd already be halfway through his next delivery. It was crazy how fast and intense he warmed up. With Kenley, a limited number of throws, but it's consistent, the same routine, the same amount of warm-ups and the inning ends and two to the plate and he's in. Gagne would just throw, as fast as he can. He was like a bull in a china shop.
"Kenley is very methodical, he takes his time. Kenley is carefree. Gagne would be talkative early in the game and then he'd get quieter. Kenley waits for the phone to ring and then he takes the jacket off and gets going. Gags, as soon as the inning was over, he's on the mound and it's like, 'I got this game.' Two very different guys, but the same success."