Billy Wagner Hall of Fame MLB

Billy Wagner, nicknamed “Billy the Kid,” was a dominant left-handed relief pitcher who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves. Despite his relatively small stature, Wagner became one of the most overpowering closers of his generation, regularly throwing a fastball that exceeded 100 mph. He finished his career with 422 saves, 1,196 strikeouts, a 2.31 ERA and a 0.998 WHIP.

Wagner became only the fifth pitcher in MLB history to reach 400 career saves and the first left-handed relief pitcher elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He was selected to seven All-Star Games and won the 1999 National League Rolaids Relief Award. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America elected Wagner to the Hall of Fame in 2025 in his final year of eligibility.

Wagner's Awards and Honors

• 7× MLB All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007–2008, 2010)
• NL Rolaids Relief Award (1999)
• 2× NL Games Finished Leader (2003, 2005)
• 422 career saves — second-most among left-handed relievers in MLB history
• In 2025,Wagner was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
• First left-handed relief pitcher elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
• First player from an NCAA Division III school to be elected to the Hall of Fame

MLB Teams

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