A number of Houston Astros’ legends reacted to Billy Wagner’s choice into the Baseball Corridor of Fame. The previous nearer’s street to Cooperstown started in Houston in 1995. Throughout his 9 years with the Astros, Wagner racked up a number of accolades, comparable to being named to the All-Star group 3 times, profitable the NL Rolaids Reduction Man Award in 1999, and mixing for a no-hitter in 2003.
Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, who each have plaques in Cooperstown and are former teammates of Wagner, shared their ideas on the star nearer’s induction. These feedback got here from an interview with Astros’ beat author for MLB.com, Brian McTaggart.
Bigio defined Wagner’s affect on the sphere for what was a perennial playoff group.
“We had loads of success over time collectively, and you are not having the success we had with no Billy Wagner. When are you able to flip the ball over to a man like that within the ninth inning, it is recreation, set, match, often. For us to have that on the again finish of a group that was very profitable for a protracted time frame, completely deserving of him getting his credit score. I’m simply completely happy for him, man.”
Jeff Bagwell detailed Wagner as a teammate off the sphere throughout his time in Houston.
“I am ecstatic (on Billy’s induction). It is so cool, the truth that the three of us performed collectively and particularly performed collectively in a few of our primes. That was a tremendous feat, and to put on an Astros cap can be the last word factor to have the three of us collectively all in the identical place. Even when issues had been dangerous, he (Wagner) was all the time constructive and able to take the ball the following day. He’s all the pieces you can ever need in a better and one of the crucial dominating closers of all time.”
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Billy Wagner deserves his flowers for his improbable profession
The Tannersville, Virginia native completed his profession eighth all-time in saves at 422. Wagner performed for 5 franchises over his 16-year profession, racking up seven All-Star appearances. One of many solely caveats within the all-time nice aid pitcher’s profession was his manufacturing dipping in October. You will need to notice that Wagner doesn’t have probably the most vital pattern measurement right here, as he gave up 13 runs in 11.2 innings pitched within the postseason.
Nonetheless, that is nonetheless a deserving addition to what’s in all probability the toughest Corridor of Fame to get into in skilled sports activities. Solely one of the best of one of the best make it to Cooperstown, and through his prime, Wagner was among the many cream of the crop in baseball at his place. These all-time nice Astros like Wagner, Bagwell, and Bigio paved the best way for a franchise that may go on to see much more success a couple of many years later.