Will Wagner get into Hall on final ballot? 'I'm hopeful this year'

NEW YORK -- Don’t look for Billy Wagner to go on a promotional tour during the next seven weeks to say why he belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame. His stats haven’t changed, and he is too busy coaching high school baseball at Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Va.

Wagner’s numbers look good enough for election into Cooperstown. He was a shutdown closer with a fastball that was often clocked in the high 90s while he pitched for 16 seasons with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox and Braves. His numbers also compare favorably to other Cooperstown closers. Wagner’s 2.31 ERA as a reliever is lower than Hall of Famers Trevor Hoffman, Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers and Hoyt Wilhelm. Wagner ended his career with an ERA+ of 187. Only Mariano Rivera had a higher number (205). Wagner’s 422 saves are sixth in Major League history.

Wagner left the game on a high note. At 38 years old in 2010, Wagner had 37 saves and a 1.43 ERA with the Braves. Wagner retired after that season because he wanted to spend more time with his family in Virginia.

Yet, Wagner enters his 10th and final year on the ballot to be voted into Cooperstown by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The writers must complete their ballots no later than Dec. 31, and the results will be announced in January. This year, Wagner received 73.8 percent of the vote, which was five votes short of the 75 percent he needed to be elected to baseball’s highest shrine.

Wagner was practicing with his school baseball team last January when he learned that he wasn’t voted into the Hall of Fame. He felt embarrassed because there were TV cameras hoping to see a celebration at the baseball field. Instead, it turned out to be a teaching moment for Wagner and his kids. He showed the team what to do when things don’t go your way.

“The news comes out and I’m asked, ‘How do you feel?’ I have to answer this question in front of 32 kids," Wagner told MLB.com. “It was a teaching situation on how to be humble, understanding and knowing there are bigger things ahead.

“It was a tough day to have to be around and go through the questions I had to answer about not getting in and being five votes short. I’m not crushed that I didn’t get in. I’m hopeful this year. Looking back, the biggest thing was, it was one of those teaching moments in front of the kids. You have to be humble, and I couldn’t show I was upset in front of them. They need to know how to handle disappointment just as much as anybody else.”

Wagner doesn’t have any regrets about not lengthening his career to impress the BBWAA. He will tell you that being a father was his greatest accomplishment. In fact, he was able to watch his oldest son, Will, grow up and follow in his footsteps. Today, Will’s future is bright, as he is expected to see significant playing time for the Blue Jays next season at second, third and first base. According to MLB Pipeline, Will Wagner is Toronto's No. 18 prospect.

“I came from a broken home,” Billy Wagner said. “Being with my family paid dividends. I truly believe in a family -- putting my family and my kids first. I like to be there to help them go through some of the stuff they are going through. My oldest son finally [made it] to the big leagues. ….

“There is no doubt I could have played some more years. With my background, it was more important to create something stable for my kids. They were moving during the season from Virginia to New York, Virginia to Atlanta. They were doing that to spend time with me. But they were going to middle school. I wanted them to be in a situation that I felt they could enjoy, and I could be a part of. I took myself out of the equation [as a baseball player]. I wanted to be a dad that could help guide them through some moments and cherish the relationships. That is something I didn’t have growing up. That was more important than getting 500 saves.”

Asked what the BBWAA should know about his Major League career, Wagner said, “I don’t think it’s a question of my career or my numbers. They are what they are. They stack up with anybody that has ever played the game.”