NEW YORK — Don’t search for Billy Wagner to go on a promotional tour in the course of the subsequent seven weeks to say why he belongs within the Baseball Corridor of Fame. His stats haven’t modified, and he’s too busy teaching highschool baseball at Miller Faculty of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Va.
Wagner’s numbers look ok for election into Cooperstown. He was a shutdown nearer with a fastball that was usually clocked within the excessive 90s whereas he pitched for 16 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Purple Sox and Braves. His numbers additionally evaluate favorably to different Cooperstown closers. Wagner’s 2.31 ERA as a reliever is decrease than Corridor of Famers Trevor Hoffman, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers and Hoyt Wilhelm. Wagner ended his profession with an ERA+ of 187. Solely Mariano Rivera had the next quantity (205). Wagner’s 422 saves are sixth in Main League historical past.
Wagner left the sport on a excessive be aware. At 38 years outdated in 2010, Wagner had 37 saves and a 1.43 ERA with the Braves. Wagner retired after that season as a result of he needed to spend extra time along with his household in Virginia.
But, Wagner enters his tenth and closing 12 months on the poll to be voted into Cooperstown by the Baseball Writers’ Affiliation of America. The writers should full their ballots no later than Dec. 31, and the outcomes might be introduced in January. This 12 months, Wagner acquired 73.8 p.c of the vote, which was 5 votes in need of the 75 p.c he wanted to be elected to baseball’s highest shrine.
Wagner was working towards along with his college baseball group final January when he discovered that he wasn’t voted into the Corridor of Fame. He felt embarrassed as a result of there have been TV cameras hoping to see a celebration on the baseball subject. As a substitute, it turned out to be a instructing second for Wagner and his children. He confirmed the group what to do when issues don’t go your approach.
“The information comes out and I’m requested, ‘How do you’re feeling?’ I’ve to reply this query in entrance of 32 children,” Wagner advised MLB.com. “It was a instructing state of affairs on learn how to be humble, understanding and figuring out there are greater issues forward.
“It was a tricky day to need to be round and undergo the questions I needed to reply about not getting in and being 5 votes brief. I’m not crushed that I didn’t get in. I’m hopeful this 12 months. Trying again, the most important factor was, it was a kind of instructing moments in entrance of the children. You must be humble, and I couldn’t present I used to be upset in entrance of them. They should know learn how to deal with disappointment simply as a lot as anyone else.”
Wagner doesn’t have any regrets about not lengthening his profession to impress the BBWAA. He’ll let you know that being a father was his best accomplishment. In reality, he was in a position to watch his oldest son, Will, develop up and observe in his footsteps. Right this moment, Will’s future is vibrant, as he’s anticipated to see important taking part in time for the Blue Jays subsequent season at second, third and first base. In line with MLB Pipeline, Will Wagner is Toronto’s No. 18 prospect.
“I got here from a damaged residence,” Billy Wagner mentioned. “Being with my household paid dividends. I actually imagine in a household — placing my household and my children first. I prefer to be there to assist them undergo a number of the stuff they’re going by. My oldest son lastly [made it] to the massive leagues. ….
“There isn’t a doubt I might have performed some extra years. With my background, it was extra essential to create one thing steady for my children. They had been transferring in the course of the season from Virginia to New York, Virginia to Atlanta. They had been doing that to spend time with me. However they had been going to center college. I needed them to be in a state of affairs that I felt they might get pleasure from, and I could possibly be part of. I took myself out of the equation [as a baseball player]. I needed to be a dad that would assist information them by some moments and cherish the relationships. That’s one thing I didn’t have rising up. That was extra essential than getting 500 saves.”
Requested what the BBWAA ought to learn about his Main League profession, Wagner mentioned, “I don’t assume it’s a query of my profession or my numbers. They’re what they’re. They stack up with anyone that has ever performed the sport.”
