HOF debate: Billy Wagner

[MansGame]

I think he has a shot but it'll take a LONG time for him... I'm calling he gets in between years 10-14

 

[markakis8]

I will quote myself "...a Closer's job is to save games"....Period end of discussion, does it matter how it is done? A K is an out, same as a 4-3 ground ball...the other stats are fluff.

As far as Smith, when he retired he was the all time Saves leader, he should not be penalized because others passed him since....

I'm not saying Lee Smith doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. I'm arguing Billy Wagner does.

 

[Super Mario]

No.


No.


No.


No.





Does anyone ever look at the name 'Billy Wagner' and think 'Hall of Fame'? No. There's your answer.

 

[WaxPax]

If Wagner goes in Franco should too.....Franco not even being on the ballot anymore because of getting less than 5% of the vote does not bode well for Wagner

I'm not saying Lee Smith doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. I'm arguing Billy Wagner does.

 

[markakis8]

If Wagner goes in Franco should too.....Franco not even being on the ballot anymore because of getting less than 5% of the vote does not bode well for Wagner

Again, Franco was no where near as dominant a pitcher as Billy Wagner. WHIP was 1.333 and he as lucky to strike any one out when he pitched.

I understand you think that saves is the only important stat for a closer (I think you're wrong, but you seem fixated on that notion). But the writers won't just look at the saves when it comes to Billy Wagner.

It might take 10-15 years, but I think Billy Wagner will get in.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

He was dominant at what he did for a long time. He was imposing and batters feared him. I would say yes, based on those criteria. Plus, he was a nice guy when I met him.

 

[klute14]

No.


No.


No.


No.





Does anyone ever look at the name 'Billy Wagner' and think 'Hall of Fame'? No. There's your answer.

Um, I do (raises hand)

 

[markakis8]

Sorry for the random bump. I was searching for a post I made about Mo Rivera and I thought it was interesting that I started a thread about Wagner's HOF chance 3 years apart. Here is the post from 3 years ago:

http://www.freedomcardboard.com/forum/baseball/54560-hof-discussion-billy-wagner.html

I still say he has a decent shot if Sutter and Goose made it.

 

[Gwynn545]

Sorry for the random bump. I was searching for a post I made about Mo Rivera and I thought it was interesting that I started a thread about Wagner's HOF chance 3 years apart. Here is the post from 3 years ago:

http://www.freedomcardboard.com/forum/baseball/54560-hof-discussion-billy-wagner.html

I still say he has a decent shot if Sutter and Goose made it.

The saddest thing about reading that old thread is how many FCB members are gone now... wow....

 

[joey12508]

I think there are few who should get in ahead of him. lee smith being one. some similar john franco sparky lyle all very good but not hof imo.

 

[Waxov]

after '10 why did he not pitch again??

 

[ThoseBackPages]

XXXX that guy. he's a XXXXing hillbilly who doesnt care about the game.

 

[markakis8]

after '10 why did he not pitch again??

Just wanted to retire. Many teams tried to persuade him but he had no desire to play. He probably could've pitched another 2-3 years based off his last year in Atlanta.

 

[SamHell]

He is an intriguing candidate for sure. The Hall's record of putting in relievers is spotty with no obvious criteria unlike other positions(300 wins, 500 HR's etc). What really impresses me about him is that he was a natural right hander.

 

[sportscardtheory]

I think Billy Wagner makes it. Definitely not first or second ballot, but he could sneak in in a slow year without any good candidates. He was far more dominant than most know. If he would have pitched 97 more innings in his career, he would hold the record for strikeouts per-9 innings. The thing I think of when I think of Wagner is sheer dominance. Although Smith and Franco have more saves, they weren't nearly as dominant as Wagner was. He's easily a top-6 all-time relief pitcher, right up there with Mo, Hoffman, Eck, Gossage and Sutter... and his WHIP is second only to Mo.

 

[markakis8]

I think Billy Wagner makes it. Definitely not first or second ballot, but he could sneak in in a slow year without any good candidates. He was far more dominant than most know. If he would have pitched 97 more innings in his career, he would hold the record for strikeouts per-9 innings. The thing I think of when I think of Wagner is sheer dominance. Although Smith and Franco have more saves, they weren't nearly as dominant as Wagner was. He's easily a top-6 all-time relief pitcher, right up there with Mo, Hoffman, Eck, Gossage and Sutter... and his WHIP is second only to Mo.

Completely agree with everything you said. I think he gets in on a slow year a la Sutter and Goose.

 

[heavy_hitter]

My only high end Wagner:

 

[klute14]

My only high end Wagner:

Is that card available?

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

A knock against Wagner is that Rivera's WAR was about TWICE that of Wagner's after 16 seasons. Not that WAR is everything, but its interesting nonetheless.

 

[predatorkj]

My only high end Wagner:

And as your name implies...you hit quite heavily...