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Billy Wagner

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**Billy Wagner**
Born: July 25 1971 (1971-07-25) (age 36)
New York Mets — No. 13
Closing Pitcher
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
September 13, 1995 for the Houston Astros
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Win-Loss	39-36
Saves	358
Earned Run Average	2.40
Strikeouts	1014
Teams
Houston Astros (1995-2003) Philadelphia Phillies (2004-2005) New York Mets (2006-present)

William (Billy) Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Tannersville, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball closer for the New York Mets. Previously, Wagner pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (2004-2005) and the Houston Astros (1995-2003). He bats and throws left-handed. His entrance song is "Enter Sandman" by Metallica.

1 Career
2 Highlights
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

Career

As a youth, Wagner was a natural right-handed pitcher, but after breaking his throwing arm twice, he taught himself how to use his left arm by throwing nothing but fastballs against a barn wall. He graduated from Tazewell High School, where he was named the 1990 Baseball Player of the Year. He also attended Ferrum College in Virginia and went 16-4 there, while setting single season NCAA records for strikeouts per nine innings (19.1 in 1992) and fewest hits per nine innings allowed (1.88 in 1992), and holds the Division III mark for career strikeouts (227 in 182.1 innings pitched). Wagner was inducted into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame in Salem, Virginia, in February 2003. Wagner was selected in the first round of the June 1993 Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros, and was used exclusively as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues. He made his major league debut on September 13, 1995, retiring the only batter he faced in a 10-5 defeat against the Mets. It was his only appearance during that season.

Houston Astros

Wagner began 1996 in the minors as a starter, and finished it by becoming a major league reliever. He posted a 6-2 record with a 3.28 ERA in twelve starts for Triple-A Tucson. His contract was purchased by the Astros on June 2, and Wagner was immediately converted to a reliever. He finished the year with nine saves in 13 opportunities, allowed only 28 hits and struck out 67 hitters in 51.2 innings (11.7 SO/9). Opponents hit only .165 against him. In 1997, Wagner played his first full season in the majors. He converted 23 of 29 save opportunities while striking out 106 hitters in only 66.1 innings, which established a major league record for SO/9 at 14.4, breaking the old mark of 14.1 set by former Reds reliever Rob Dibble in 1992 (110 SO in 70.1 innings). He struck out the side 13 times, and his 106 strikeouts also set a club record for relievers. In 1998, Wagner posted a 4-3 record with a 2.70 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 60 innings, and saved 30 games, which was the third best single season in club history. He converted 19 consecutive save opportunities between his first blown save against the Dodgers (April 12) and his second facing the Cardinals (July 11). On July 15, while trying to hold on to an 8-7 lead against Arizona, he was struck on the left side of his head behind the ear by a line drive off the bat of Kelly Stinnett. Wagner was alert and conscious on the ground as his vital signs remained good. He was removed from the field on a stretcher after suffering a concussion and spent the night at a Phoenix hospital. The next day, he returned to Houston and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Wagner worked on balance and coordination exercises before being cleared by doctors to go on a rehabilitation assignment in the minors. After working three games, he was recalled on August 6, and remained healthy for the rest of the season. Wagner had an outstanding 1999 season. He captured the Relief Man of the Year Award in the National League. He saved 39 games and struck out 124 in only 74 innings (15 SO/9), establishing a new major league record for strikeouts in at least 50 innings, including the side 15 times. Wagner posted a 4-1 record with an ERA of 1.57, and actually had more saves than hits allowed (in 74.2 innings, he allowed 35 hits). The 2000 season started off in typical fashion for Wagner, who saved three of the Astros' first four wins while retiring 16 of the first 20 batters he faced. But after recording a save on May 4 against the Cubs, he suffered back-to-back blown saves on May 12-13 versus the Reds. While he was still hitting 100-MPH on the radar gun, he wasn't throwing his 85-90 MPH slider as much as he used to. Wagner would continue to struggle before going on the disabled with a torn flexor tendon in his pitching arm and would miss the final three and a half months of the season. He finished with 2-4 record, a 6.18 ERA, and six saves in 15 opportunities, striking out 28 and walking 18 in 27.2 innings. He would rebound in 2001. Coming off elbow surgery, he posted a record of 2-5 with 39 saves in 41 chances, and an ERA of 2.73. He was one of the leading candidates for TSN Comeback Player of the Year in the National League. In 62.2 innings, he struck out 79 hitters. In 2002, Wagner went 4-2 with a 2.52 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and 35 saves in 75 innings. Then, he enjoyed his best season in 2003, when he reached career-highs in saves (44), innings pitched (86.0) and games (78), and got 105 strikeouts. In that year, he also cemented his status as the hardest-throwing man in baseball by leading the major leagues with 159 pitches at 100 mph or above. Second on the list was starter Bartolo Colon with 12.

Philadelphia Phillies

Wagner was traded to Philadelphia before the 2004 season, only to have his season shortened by a strain in his throwing shoulder. Wagner became a free agent after the 2005 season. He signed a 4 year, $43 million contract (including a team option for a 5th year) with the Mets on November 28, 2005. In a May 7, 2006 interview, Wagner stated that he was confronted by all of his former Philadelphia Phillies teammates in September 2005 after Wagner criticized their performance in the media by repeatedly saying that the Phillies had "no chance" of making the playoffs, with Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell reportedly calling Wagner a "rat." The confrontation reportedly was one of several factors that drove Wagner from Philadelphia in the 2005-06 offseason.

New York Mets

Wagner signed a 4-year, $43 million contract with the New York Mets on November 28, 2005. He finished 2006 with 40 saves and a 2.24 ERA. His performance contributed to the Mets' first division title in 18 years. Wagner did not have a great post-season, he recorded 3 saves but lost one game and allowed 6 runs over 5.2 innings for a 10.38 ERA. Wagner had a very good first half in 2007. He was 17-1 in save opportunities with a 1.94 ERA. July was his best month, he recorded 8 saves in 8 chances and did not allow a run all month. His first half performance earned him a spot on the All-Star team. His second half was not as successful. Overall, he was 13-4 in save opportunities and had a 3.90 ERA. His last two months were the worst. He had a 6.23 ERA in August and was plagued with back spasms during September. His inability to pitch during the final days of the season contributed to the Mets' failure to make the post-season in 2007.

Highlights

5-time All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007)
Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (1999)
Led league in games finished (2003, 2005)
Wagner recorded his milestone 300th career save on July 4, 2006 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Won the DHL Delivery Man of the Month Award for July 2007. During this month he produced an ERA of 0, giving up 2 hits, and pitched enough innings for a complete game shutout.
Wagner owns an alpaca farm in Crozet, Virginia and once delivered a newborn alpaca on live television.
In a twelve-year career, Wagner has compiled a 38-34 record with 934 strikeouts, a 2.88 ERA, and 324 saves in 702 2/3 innings.