OTD In 2005: Mets Sign Billy Wagner

In 2005, the Mets had a resurgence, finishing the season with a record of 83-79 under new manager Willie Randolph (they had gone 71-91 in 2004 under Art Howe). Despite the significantly improved performance, the Mets lacked a lock-down closer.

In 2005, Braden Looper was the team’s closer. Looper had a modest statistical season (4-7, 3.94 ERA, 28 saves, 8 blown saves, 59.1 IP, 27 K). Looper’s line in 2004, also with the Mets, was similar (2-5, 2.70 ERA, 29 saves, 5 blown saves, 83.1 IP, 60 K).

After spending the 2005 season with the Phillies, Billy Wagner became a free agent. He had 38 saves in 2005, and only three blown saves. Wagner had been a Phillie in 2004 and prior to that, he had spent nine seasons with the Houston Astros, logging 225 saves, and averaging 12.4 K/9.

Wagner seemed to be a perfect fit for the Mets, who signed the reliever on November 28, 2005 for four years and $42 million. Wagner had a very good year in 2006, with 40 saves. He was not good in the postseason; although he had three saves, he had a 10.40 postseason ERA.

Wagner had a mixed season in 2007, with a strong first half  (17 of 18 in saves) and a less effective second half (13 of 17 in saves). He had a key blown save in game four of a critical series against the Phillies in Philadelphia in August, a series the Phillies swept on their way to a division championship.

Wagner was an All-Star in 2008, posting 27 saves in a season that would end prematurely due to injury.

He missed almost all of the 2009 season, his last as a Met, after having Tommy John surgery late in the 2008 season. Over three nearly full seasons as a Met, Wagner recorded 101 saves, had a record of 5-5 and a 2.37 ERA. In his Mets career, Wagner struck out 230 hitters in 189.2 IP (10.9 K/9).

While Wagner had some great moments as a Met, one that stands out to me is his performance against the Yankees on May 19, 2006. The game was a back-and-forth battle, and was tied going into the ninth inning. Wagner took the mound and struck out the side, electrifying the crowd, and setting the Mets up for David Wright‘s walk-off against Mariano Rivera.

You can see Wagner’s inning at the 1:30 mark of the video below.

Wagner ended his career in 2010 with the Braves, posting 37 saves, including the 400th of his career. He finished with 422 saves.

It’s a bit perplexing that Wagner has not received stronger consideration for the Hall of Fame. Wagner has been on 31.7% of ballots, well short of the 75% necessary for induction. Wagner’s 422 saves are sixth on the all-time list, and second of all time by a left-hander (John Franco has 424).

Wagner’s 101 saves as a Met places him sixth on the team’s list (Franco leads with 276). Wagner is spending his post-baseball time in his home state of Virgina, coaching baseball for the The Miller School of Albemarie.