COOPERSTOWN, NY – In his tenth and final year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, Ferrum’s Billy Wagner has been named to the 2025 class.
“I don’t even know how to express it from Southwest Virginia,” Wagner said. “I mean, when I think about what I represent from division three to Southwest Virginia to state of Virginia, it’s such a blessing. I mean, there’s so much that is involved in this than just me. I mean, my wife being pretty much throwing every pitch with me and being involved in every step through college and high and minor leagues.”
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Wagner is known as one of the greatest closers of all time in Major League Baseball. He is now the ninth closer elected.
He played 16 seasons, making stops with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves. During his time, he recorded the highest strikeout rate of any pitcher in history with a minimum of 900 innings.
“There’s just so much that I’m grateful for,” said Wagner. “It’s fun competing against you after you left Houston. But you know, I can’t even remember how I did. Get hard to deep left.”
Wagner retired after the 2010 season with the Braves and finished as a five-time Major League Baseball All-Star.
The LHP was named to the Ferrum College Hall of Fame in 2003 for baseball and football. He holds the Division III record for career strikeouts with 327 in 182.1 innings.
Ferrum College President Mirta Martin was among the Wagner supporters who learned of his induction during a watch party held this evening in Franklin Hall.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Billy Wagner’s induction into the MLB Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Martin. “As one of our distinguished alumni, Billy exemplifies the values of excellence, hard work, and perseverance, as well as our motto, ‘Not Self, But Others,’ that we strive to instill in our students. His remarkable achievements bring great honor to Ferrum College, and we are proud to call him a Ferrum Panther. He continues to inspire our campus community and beyond with his dedication, accomplishments, and relentless pursuit of excellence.”
Wagner closed his three-year Ferrum career with a 17-3 record and a 1.63 earned run average. He still holds the NCAA Div. III single-season record for most strikeouts per nine innings at 19.1 with 109 strikeouts in 51.1 innings in 1992, and the career record for most strikeouts per nine innings, with 16.0 with 327 strikeouts in 182.1 innings to this day. Wagner was a 1993 first-team NCAA Division III All-American for the Panthers. He was selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball 1993 June Draft by the Houston Astros as the #12 pick overall. Wagner also played a year as a starting defensive back on Ferrum’s football team in 1990. He has one career interception.
“I want to congratulate Billy on a well-earned and deserved achievement,” said Ferrum Head Baseball Coach Eric Owens. “As a former teammate and a great friend, congrats on your induction to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. This is a proud day for Ferrum College and our baseball program.”
