About US

---

Billy Wagner

Billy Wagner is a left-handed pitcher with the Atlanta Braves.
Born in Tannersville but raised in Tazewell, Virginia, Billy’s first athletic passion was football, until he went to Ferrum College in 1990. After his freshman year, the coach refused to let him play, recognizing Billy’s exceptional talent in the other sport he had enjoyed since his days at Tazewell High School: baseball.
Billy was drafted in the 1st round (12th pick) of the 1993 Amateur Draft by the Houston Astros. One of the most unique pitchers in the history of baseball, he combines a deceptive delivery with a 95-100 MPH fastball. His 1998 and 1999 strikeouts-innings pitched ratios are the two highest in major league history. He set an Astros’ record in 1999 with 39 saves, and matched that record in 2001, after having surgery on his left elbow.

In 2004, Billy was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. While with the Phillies in 2005, he saved at least 30 games for the sixth time in his career, and became the sixth Phillie in club history to save that many. In 2005, Billy became a free agent and was signed by the New York Mets for 4 years.

In September of 2008, Billy underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, and had to sit out much of the 2009 baseball season. In August of 2009, the Mets traded Billy to the Red Sox, where he successfully made his return to the pitcher’s mound and helped the Red Sox advance to the playoffs.

Billy was granted free agency in November 2009 and signed a one year contract with vesting option with the Atlanta Braves. On June 25, 2010, Billy earned his 400th Career Save, making him just the 5th player in baseball history to reach this plateau.

Billy’s career highlights include:

2010- National League All-Star
2008- National League All-Star
2007- National League All-Star
2005- National League All-Star
2003- Inducted into Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame in Salem, VA
2003- National League All-Star
2001- National League All-Star
1999- National League Rolaids Relief Man Winner (given to top relief pitcher in each league)
1999- T-5th National League Cy Young Award (given to top pitcher in each league)
1999 National League All-Star
1999- Voted Best Reliever in National League, by vote of managers
1999- Voted 2nd Best Fastball in National League, by vote of managers

Billy’s aspirations do not lie on the baseball field alone; in January 2005, Billy and Erik Robinson opened 2nd Chance Learning Center, in Bluefield, Virginia, to help local students finish high school and get a positive start in life by guiding them in academic and social skills. An additional location in Tazewell, Virginia was opened in January 2008.

Billy Wagner is married to Sarah, and they have four children, William, Jeremy, Olivia, and Kason. In the off-season, the Wagners reside in Virginia.