In true closing fashion, Billy Wagner completed his final save, getting inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in his final year of eligibility.
Wagner was drafted in the 1993 MLB Draft, and throughout the next 16 seasons, he played for five different organizations–Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves.
When his career came to an end, Wagner had thrown 903 innings, a career ERA of 2.31, 1,196 strikeouts, seven all-star appearances, and 422 saves–eighth all-time, second for a left-handed pitcher.
“My numbers were good because of my teammates. They played very well behind me. Numbers tend to come with years of service. The better you play, the longer you get to play,” Wagner said. “My career was unique, starter in the minors to closer in the majors. It was a real blessing to play 16 seasons. It went by really fast.”
The first time Wagner saw himself on the Hall of Fame Ballot was in 2016.
To be inducted, any given player has to earn 75% of the vote from the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America).
Wagner was on the cusp of entering last year with 73.8% of the vote.
But in 2025, Wagner was voted in with 82.5% of the vote. When he learned of his induction, the moment got the best of him.
“The emotions came from a lifetime of endurance,” Wagner said. “The sacrifices to the family for the love of baseball. It also was a relief to feel accepted by the greats.”
Wagner is the first player to be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame from a D-III collegiate program.
The college has had four baseball players make it to the Major Leagues.
One of those players played with Wagner at Ferrum and is the college’s current Head Baseball Coach–Eric Owens.
“Billy being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame is personal for me. He is a great friend as well as a deserved pitcher,” Owens said. “It’s a great time for Ferrum College and the College’s baseball program.”
A pitching counterpart, Darren Hodges, was drafted by the Yankees from the college in 1990.
Although he didn’t play alongside Wagner, they worked out and trained in the bullpen together.
“From the first time I saw Billy pitch as a freshman, you could see the arm speed was off the charts. What you couldn’t see was that the guy has the heart of a lion,” Hodges said. “He’s the rare guy that had the God-given talent, the warrior mentality, but he was also a great person. I think that is what not only made him a Hall of Famer on the field, but off the field as well.”
Wagner’s coach, who created his own Hall of Fame career in the state of Virginia and throughout college baseball–Abe Naff–said seeing Wagner get inducted was emotional for him.
“I watched his entire journey. I watched all the ups and downs. He’s a deserving person, and for the rest of his life, he’ll be known as one of the greatest relief pitchers to ever play the game. That’s not an opinion anymore. That’s a fact,” Naff said. “He’s always been a Hall of Famer as a person. The thing that stands out about Billy is he was always considered a great teammate, and I think that’s the highest honor you can give a baseball player.”
To honor Wagner’s achievement, the college hosted a viewing party for all students, staff, and faculty.
When Wagner’s name was called to be inducted, the Blue Ridge Mountain room erupted with cheering, clapping, and celebration to follow.
“Truly today there are no words to express what today’s announcement of Billy Wagner’s well-deserved honor does for Ferrum College and what it does for him. This is a gentleman that exemplifies excellence on the field and in everything that he does,” President Mirta Martin said. “He chose to come back to Ferrum College for ‘Not Self But Others’ to pass it forward to the next generation, and I’m grateful that finally the Hall of Fame was able to recognize that excellence. For Ferrum College, having the very first Hall of Famer in the history of our institution highlights that we are a destination of choice for excellence on the field and in the classroom.”
Wagner’s final stop will be in Cooperstown, NY, July 27, when he is officially inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.
“To be great, you have to have (a) consistent work ethic, and that has to be different than others who work hard,” Wagner said. “You truly have to love the grind and respect the process. There will not be overnight success. The game isn’t fair, and it doesn’t care about your feelings. Showing up is what you’re supposed to do, but setting yourself apart is up to you.”
