Phillies: What Will it Take for Billy Wagner to Reach Cooperstown?
By John Town
Wagner’s Resume
In his career, “Billy the Kid” appeared in 853 games, finished 703 of them, recorded 422 saves, and had a 47-40 record. He struck out 11.9 batters per nine innings, walked three per nine, and held a career 2.31 ERA and 0.998 WHIP. He is sixth all-time in saves and games finished.
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Wagner twice led the league in games finished with 67 in 2003 and 70 in 2005. He recorded 30 or more saves in nine seasons. Wagner was an All-Star seven times and earned the Rolaids Relief Award in 1999. Wagner also placed in MVP voting in 1999 and 2003 and placed in Cy Young voting in 1999 and 2006.
With the Phillies in 2004 and 2005, Wagner was electric. He had a 1.86 ERA, 0.810 WHIP, 5.62 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and tallied 59 saves in 120 games.
Wagner, alongside Home Run Derby champion Bobby Abreu and Jimmy Rollins, represented Philadelphia in the 2005 All-Star Game.
Wagner, as a closer, was particularly strong in wins probability added. His career 29 WPA is 36th among all pitchers, ahead of Hall of Famers like Steve Carlton and Jim Bunning. Wagner led the NL in WPA in 1999 with 5.9.