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The National Baseball Hall of Fame is an exclusive and tight-knit community. The group of relief pitchers in the Hall? Even smaller, even tighter-knit.

Which is why Trevor Hoffman was watching with extreme interest during last week's Hall of Fame announcement, which saw fellow closer Billy Wagner elected into Cooperstown on his 10th and final chance on the BBWAA ballot.

Hoffman himself had to wait three seasons before he received his Hall call. Even for the mild-mannered and even-keeled Hoffman, the process was agonizing.

"Obviously, just super proud that he's been able to punch his ticket," Hoffman said on a phone call last week. "I feel bad that for a decade, that January date rolls around, and there's a lot of disappointment that lingers. Not just in the moment, but you start to second guess if the call will ever come.

"And I think that's why you saw so much emotion out of him on the phone call. It comes on in such a wave that your whole career kind of passes before as [BBWAA secretary/treasurer Jack O'Connell] is talking to you."

It's only natural that Hoffman and Wagner would be linked, as two of the best relief pitchers of their era. Mariano Rivera stands alone as the greatest reliever of all time. But Hoffman and Wagner also helped define the same era -- an era that saw back-end relievers trend toward short-burst dominance.

And were those two ever dominant. The numbers are comparable, though Hoffman pitched more innings and racked up more saves (likely accounting for his quicker trip to Cooperstown).

But Wagner posted a 2.31 career ERA with a 0.998 WHIP and a 2.73 FIP. Those numbers are in line with Hoffman -- better even, albeit in fewer innings.

"His numbers really speak for themselves as far as the dominance and how he pitched," Hoffman said. "I think he's a great addition to [the Hall of Fame]. And more than anything, I'm glad for him. I'm glad his wait is over."

Excluding John Smoltz and Dennis Eckersley -- whose performance as starters was far more critical in their election to the Hall of Fame -- Wagner became just the eighth full-time reliever to reach Cooperstown. And, he's the first since Hoffman seven years ago.

It's a small crew inside the sport's most exclusive club. And clearly, Hoffman is happy to have company. He currently plans to be on hand this summer for Wagner's induction -- seven years after his own.

"I look back and can't believe [seven] years has gone by so quick," Hoffman said. "I'm super happy I'm on this side of it. I feel for the guys that have to wait for that call. I see their numbers tick up and hope it gets them over the threshold."