Billy Wagner on his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame (interview)

Former Houston Astros Closer Billy Wagner hopes to get into HOF

As some of you know, I have joined on with KTXF-DB The Reel to start a new Houston Astros talk show called Talking Stros with my co-host Brandon DelCastillo through the Texas Sports Review Network. We are on every Monday night from 8-10 pm CST. Last night we wrapped our third full show where we had two very special guests on. One is one of the 2015 Astros rookies in Preston Tucker and the second was a rookie with the Astros in 1996 in Billy Wagner.

For this post, I will focus the discussion on Wagner and specifically his thoughts on his career and his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame. With the 2016 Hall of Fame voting wrapping up soon, the results will be announced on January 6. Will Wagner get enough votes to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, that might be a tall order considering as he is only at 12.5% at the moment. His former peer closer Trevor Hoffman is also on the ballot for the first time this season, I don’t see two closers getting votes as there are only five closers currently in the Hall of Fame.

His former peer closer Trevor Hoffman is also on the ballot for the first time this season, I don’t see two closers getting votes as there are only five closers currently in the Hall of Fame.

• Dennis Eckersley – 390 saves
• Hoyt Wilhelms – 227 saves (record at the time)
• Rollie Fingers – 341 saves
• Goose Gossage – 310 saves
• Bruce Sutter – 300 saves

Wagner finished with 422 saves, but he pitched in a different time than the guys above. It appears that the votes are going towards Hoffman per @NotMrTibbs at about 67% at the moment, which is short of the 75% needed. Some voters don’t think that closers deserve to be elected to the HOF.

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