History of Billy Wagner in Timeline

Billy Wagner, nicknamed "Billy the Kid," is a retired MLB pitcher who played 16 seasons (1995-2010) for the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves. A seven-time All-Star and 1999 NL Rolaids Relief Man Award winner, he is one of eight relievers with over 400 career saves. Wagner batted and threw left-handed, standing at 5'10" and weighing 180 pounds. His notable career solidifies him as one of baseball's premier relief pitchers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

July 25, 1971: Billy Wagner's Birth

On July 25, 1971, William Edward Wagner, also known as "Billy the Kid", was born.

Others born on this day/year

1976: Parents' Divorce

In 1976, when Billy Wagner was five years old, his parents Yvonne and William “Hotrod” Wagner divorced.

1992: Brewster Whitecaps

In 1992, Billy Wagner played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL).

1992: NCAA Records

In 1992, Billy Wagner set single-season NCAA records for strikeouts per nine innings, with 19+1⁄3 , and the fewest hits allowed per nine innings, with 1.88.

1992: Dibble Strikeout Record

In 1997, Billy Wagner broke Rob Dibble's strikeout record from 1992.

June 1993: Drafted by Houston Astros

In June 1993, Billy Wagner was selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros.

1994: Strikeout Leader

In 1994, Billy Wagner led all North American minor league pitchers in strikeouts, with 204.

September 12, 1995: First Major League Appearance

On September 12, 1995, Billy Wagner made his first Major League appearance with the Houston Astros, pitching against one batter late in a game against the New York Mets.

1995: MLB Debut

In 1995, Billy Wagner began his 16-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB).

June 2, 1996: Astros Contract Purchased

On June 2, 1996, the Houston Astros purchased Billy Wagner's baseball contract, and he was assigned exclusively as a short-relief pitcher.

1997: First Full Season in Major Leagues

In 1997, Billy Wagner played his first full season in the major leagues, accumulating 23 saves and setting a major league record of 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

July 15, 1998: Head Injury

On July 15, 1998, Billy Wagner was struck by a batted ball on the head, resulting in a concussion, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

1998: 19 Consecutive Saves

In 1998, Billy Wagner had 19 consecutive saves and a 2.70 ERA.

1999: Relief Man of the Year Award

In 1999, Billy Wagner captured the Relief Man of the Year Award in the National League.

1999: Rolaids Relief Man Award

In 1999, Billy Wagner won the National League (NL) Rolaids Relief Man Award.

2000: Struggles and Injury

In 2000, Billy Wagner struggled with performance and went on the disabled list due to a torn flexor tendon, missing the last three and a half months of the season.

2001: Rebound Season

In 2001, coming off elbow surgery, Billy Wagner rebounded with a record of 2–5, 39 saves, and an ERA of 2.73.

2002: Solid Performance

In 2002, Billy Wagner had a solid performance with a 4–2 record, a 2.52 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and 35 saves.

June 11, 2003: Closing Out a No-Hitter

On June 11, 2003, Billy Wagner closed out a no-hitter thrown by a record six pitchers against the New York Yankees.

November 3, 2003: Traded to Phillies

On November 3, 2003, the Astros traded Billy Wagner to the Philadelphia Phillies.

2003: Career-High Season

In 2003, Billy Wagner enjoyed his best season, reaching career-highs in saves (44), innings pitched (86) and games (78), and got 105 strikeouts.

2003: Inducted into Ferrum College Hall of Fame

In 2003, Billy Wagner was inducted into the Ferrum College Hall of Fame.

2004: Shortened Season Due to Injury

Billy Wagner's 2004 season was shortened by strains to his groin and rotator cuff.

September 2005: Confrontation with Phillies Teammates

In September 2005, Billy Wagner was confronted by his Phillies teammates after he criticized their performance in the media.

November 29, 2005: Signed with the New York Mets

On November 29, 2005, Billy Wagner signed a four-year, $43 million contract and a one-year club option with the New York Mets.

2005: Best ERA of Career

In 2005, Billy Wagner had the best ERA of his career and led the league in games finished.

May 7, 2006: Comments on Phillies Confrontation

In a May 7, 2006, interview, Billy Wagner discussed the confrontation he had with his former Phillies teammates in September 2005 after his critical comments.

2006: 40 Saves and Division Championship

In 2006, Billy Wagner finished with 40 saves and a 2.24 ERA, contributing to the Mets' first division championship in 18 years.

2007: All-Star Selection and Delivery Man of the Month Award

In 2007, Billy Wagner had a good first half of the season, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star Team and the Delivery Man of the Month Award for July.

May 15, 2008: Tirade Against Teammates

On May 15, 2008, Billy Wagner issued a tirade against his teammates and coaches following a loss to the Washington Nationals.

September 2008: Elbow Injury and Tommy John Surgery

In September 2008, the Mets announced that Billy Wagner had torn the ulnar collateral ligament of his left elbow and also his flexor pronator tendon, requiring Tommy John surgery.

August 21, 2009: Claimed by Red Sox

On August 21, 2009, Billy Wagner was reportly claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox from the Mets.

December 2, 2009: Wagner Agrees to Contract with Braves

On December 2, 2009, Billy Wagner and the Atlanta Braves finalized a one-year, $7 million contract. The deal included a vesting option of $6.5 million for the 2011 season.

2009: Paid by the Mets

Billy Wagner was paid $10.5 million by the Mets in 2009 despite being out of play due to injury.

2009: Remained on Mets Roster

Despite his comments, Billy Wagner remained on the Mets' 40-man roster on the disabled list at the beginning of the season in 2009.

2009: Vows to Return to MLB

Following the announcement of his major elbow injury, Billy Wagner vowed in 2009 that he would return to playing in MLB, amending his previous statement about not pitching anymore after 2009.

2010: Mets Option

For 2010, the Mets had an $8 million option with a $1 million buyout for Billy Wagner.

2010: End of MLB Career

In 2010, Billy Wagner concluded his 16-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB).

2010: Arbitration Declined

In 2010, Billy Wagner declined arbitration from the Red Sox, so the Red Sox received a first-round draft pick from the team that signed him (Atlanta Braves) and a sandwich pick in the 2010 rookie draft.

2010: Last Game as a Met

In 2010, Billy Wagner stated that he had "played his last [baseball] game as a Met".

February 12, 2011: Wagner Reiterates Retirement Plans

On February 12, 2011, Billy Wagner confirmed his decision to retire from baseball. He stated that he was content with not playing and was looking forward to spending time away from the sport.

March 30, 2011: Braves Release Wagner

On March 30, 2011, the Atlanta Braves officially released Billy Wagner, confirming his departure from the team after his decision to retire.

2012: Wagner Inducted into Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

In 2012, Billy Wagner was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his achievements and contributions to sports in Virginia.

April 6, 2013: Wagner Coaches Against Alma Mater

On April 6, 2013, Billy Wagner, as the baseball coach for The Miller School of Albemarle in Virginia, coached against his former high school and his high school coach.

2016: Wagner Appears on Hall of Fame Ballot

In 2016, Billy Wagner appeared on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, receiving 10.5% of the vote. This was above the 5% minimum required to remain on the ballot, but well short of the 75% needed for election.

2019: Wagner Inducted into National College Baseball Hall of Fame

In 2019, Billy Wagner was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, honoring his successful college baseball career.

2021: Wagner's Hall of Fame Ballot Support Increases

In 2021, Billy Wagner's support on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot increased to 46.4%, showing significant progress towards potential election.

2022: CCBL Hall of Fame

In 2022, Billy Wagner became a member of the CCBL Hall of Fame class.

2022: Wagner's Hall of Fame Ballot Support Continues to Climb

In 2022, Billy Wagner received 51.0% of the vote on the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, continuing his climb toward the required 75% for election.

2023: Wagner's Hall of Fame Ballot Support Nears Election

In 2023, Billy Wagner's support on the Hall of Fame ballot reached 68.1%, bringing him closer to the 75% threshold required for election.

2024: Wagner Falls Just Short of Hall of Fame Election

In 2024, Billy Wagner received 73.8% of the vote on the Hall of Fame ballot, just five votes shy of the 75% needed for election.

2024: Wagner's Son Debuts in MLB

In 2024, Will Wagner, Billy Wagner's son, made his debut for the Toronto Blue Jays. Billy Wagner had coached both Will and his other son Kason at Miller School.

February 2025: Astros to Retire Wagner's Number

In February 2025, the Houston Astros announced that they would retire Billy Wagner's number 13. The number had been worn by several players after Wagner was traded in 2003.