2012 Atlantic League Champions Long Island Ducks

After defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the deciding Game 5 of the 2012 Atlantic League Divisional Series, courtesy of Brandon Sing's fourth-inning and Bryant Nelson’s go-ahead, eighth-inning home runs, the Long Island Ducks headed for their third championship series in franchise history against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

The season-end acquisition of Indy-career pitcher John Brownell paid dividends for the Flock as the right-hander gave up two earned runs in six innings in game four of the Championship Series forcing the second sudden-death game of the 2012 post season.

The Ducks took Game 5 and the Championship with Kraig Binick and Joash Brodin each contributing three hits to the effort; and Bobby Blevins Jr. pitching 6 innings of two earn-run ball – matching his mound mate Brownell’s performance of the night before.

Series MVP and Duck shortstop Dan Lyons brought home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth with a squeeze bunt to win the championship in dramatic fashion. 

Eric Gagne - 2003 N.L. Cy Young Award Winner & 3X All Star

Autographed Eric Gagne Official Atlantic League Ball and 2017 Long Island Duck Pocket Schedule

Setting a major league record by converting 84 consecutive save opportunities bridging the 2002-2004 seasons; Eric Gagne tied a National League record for saves in 2003 with 55 saves pitching as the closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The performance that year, combined with a 1.20 ERA, was impressive enough to earn the right-hander the 2003 National League Cy Young Award – an award usually reserved for starting pitchers.

On May 5^th, 2017, the 41-year-old, three-time N.L. All-Star Gagne joined the Long Island Ducks as a relief pitcher to try to work on developing a new slider to aid his hopes of returning to the major leagues.