Billy Wagner (2025)

Houston Astros

Wagner was drafted by the Astros in the first round of the 1993 draft. He was a starting pitcher in the minors from 1993 through 1995. In 1994, he led all MiLB pitchers in strikeouts with 204 (to 91 walks), innings pitched (153.0), and games played (26).

Wagner joined the Astros for one game in 1995. He was a relief pitcher in 0.1 innings and that became his position for the rest of his career. In 1996, he pitched in 37 games of relief and he had a 2.44 ERA. He had 2 wins and 2 losses, 67 strikeouts to 30 walks, and 9 saves in 51.2 innings.

Wagner had a 2.85 ERA in 66.1 innings in 62 games in 1997. He had 23 saves and 106 strikeouts to 30 walks. In the postseason he pitched 1.0 innings in 1 game and he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs.

In 1998, Wagner pitched 60.0 innings in 58 games. He had 30 saves, 97 strikeouts to 25 walks and a 2.70 ERA. He pitched 1.0 innings in 1 game in the postseason and he gave up 4 hits and 2 runs.

Wagner had a career high in strikeouts in 1999 with 124 (to 23 walks). He finished the season with 39 saves and a 1.57 ERA in 74.2 innings in 66 games. In the postseason he gave up no hits in 1.0 innings. He won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year award in 1999.

Wagner pitched in only 28 games in 2000. He didn't pitch well that year, finishing with a 6.18 ERA in 27.2 innings. He had 6 saves and 28 strikeouts to 18 walks.

Wagner had a good season in 2001, when he had 39 saves and a 2.73 ERA iin 62.2 innings in 64 games. He struck out 79 batters and walked 20. The following season was also good. In 2002, he finished with 35 saves, 88 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 2.52 ERA in 75.0 innings in 70 games.

In 2003, Wagner had career highs in games played (78), innings pitched (86.0) and saves (44). He struck out 105 batters and walked 23 and he had an ERA of 1.78.

Philadelphia Phillies

Wagner joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 2004. He pitched in just 45 games that year. He had 21 saves and a 2.42 ERA in 48.1 innings of relief. The following season, he returned to his old form, pitching 77.2 innings in 75 games. He had 38 saves, 87 strikeouts to 20 walks, and a 1.51 ERA in 2005.

New York Mets

Wagner signed with the Mets for the 2006 season. He pitched in 70 games and he had 40 saves and a 2.24 ERA. He struck out 94 batters and walked 21 in 72.1 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 5.2 innings in 6 games and he gave up 10 hits and 6 runs.

In 2007, Wagner had 34 saves and a 2.63 ERA. He struck out 80 batters and walked 22 in 68.1 innings in 66 games. The following year, he pitched in just 45 games. He finished the 2008 season with 27 saves, 52 strikeouts to 10 walks, and a 2.30 ERA in 47.0 innings.

Boston Red Sox

The Mets traded Wagner to the Boston Red Sox in 2009. He played in just 17 games that season, two with the Mets and the other 15 with Boston. He had a 1.72 ERA in 15.2 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 1.0 innings in 2 games and he gave up 2 hits and 2 runs.

Atlanta Braves

In 2010, Wagner signed with the Atlanta Braves. He played just one year with them, but it was a strong season. He had a career low ERA of 1.43 with 37 saves and 104 strikeouts to 22 walks in 69.1 innings in 71 games. In the postseason, he pitched 0.1 innings in 1 game and gave up 1 hit.

Awards and MLB Records

• NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year

Career Statistics

Career pitching statistics for Wagner include:

• 853 games played
• 903.0 innings pitched
• 47-40 win-loss record
• 422 saves
• 1,196 strikeouts to 300 walks
• 2.31 ERA