Cooperstown 2016: Billy Wagner

BILLY WAGNER
First Year on Ballot

PLAYING CAREER:  Houston Astros (1995–2003), Philadelphia Phillies (2004–2005), New York Mets (2006–2009), Boston Red Sox (2009) and Atlanta Braves (2010)

ACHIEVEMENTS: 422 career saves…good for fifth all-time and second most among all left-handed pitchers. Sixth all-time in games finished. Seven-time All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007-2008 and 2010). 1999 National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year. Pitched a combined no-hitter on June 11, 2003. 2012 inductee into the Virginia Hall of Fame.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ON TWITTER:

@prospect_pulse I feel like Billy Wagner is a move toward Hall of Very Good.

— Michael Rokicki (@Michael_Rokicki) January 1, 2016

https://twitter.com/realandrewgrant/status/680115845540937728

Baseball hall of fame is tough on closers. I watched Billy Wagner's entire career. That was a dominant closer. I hope he gets his due soon.

— ⚾️ 🏆🏆 (@El_King_Chile) December 24, 2015

HOVG THOUGHTS: If not for Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman overshadowing him his entire career…are we talking about Billy Wagner as a Hall of Famer? Think about it. Had he played as long either guy (or Lee Smith or John Franco, for that matter), avoided those nagging injuries and not be stuck in Houston for seemingly forever…it’s probable Wagner could be the next closer in Cooperstown. But that’s baseball, folks…and it’s likely Wagner won’t ever get in even though he’s destined to stay on the ballot all ten years he’s eligible.