Dennis Eckersley blazed a unique path as a big league pitcher, one that most likely will never be repeated. He began as a young hotshot starting pitcher, mowing down hitters with a blazing fastball. But years later, when it looked as if he was just another washed up hurler just happy to be hanging on, he was transformed, thanks to his pinpoint control, into the game's top reliever. This success story ends with the game's ultimate happy ending - election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dennis Lee Eckersley was born October 3, 1954, in Oakland, California. One of three siblings, Eckersley grew up in Fremont, California, where he attended Washington High School. A multi-sport athlete in baseball, basketball and football, the right-handed pitcher was selected out of high school by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the June 1972 free-agent draft.

Eckersley, a six-time All-Star, ended his 24-year (1975-98) major league career with a record of 197-171 (48-41 as a reliever), 361 games started, 100 complete games, 2,401 strikeouts, and a 3.50 ERA. Through the 2003 season, his 1,071 games pitched ranked second all time behind Jesse Orosco's 1,252, while his 390 saves is third all time behind both Lee Smith's 478 and John Franco's 424.

Historically, he became only the second pitcher to save 50 games in a season, the first pitcher to save 40 games four times, holds the AL records for most games pitched with 869, most saves with 324, and most consecutive errorless games by a pitcher with 470. Eckersley is the only pitcher with 100 saves and 100 complete games. From 1988 to 1992, he led Oakland to four AL West titles, saved 220 games, struck out 378 and walked only 38.

Since he left the playing field, Eckersley spent time as a broadcaster with the A's.

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