FERRUM, Va. – Former Ferrum College and Major League Baseball standout Billy Wagner has been selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The seven-time MLB All-Star had a record-setting baseball career at Ferrum from 1991-93 before being drafted by the Astros in 1993. In his tenth and final year on the ballot, Wagner received over 82.5% of the total votes cast, exceeding the 75% minimum required to be inducted.
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."
Wagner's 18-year professional baseball career, 16 in the majors, includes: Auburn Astros (A) 1993, Quad City River Bandits (A) 1994, Jackson Generals (AA) 1995, Tucson Toros (AAA) 1995, Houston Astros 1995-2003, Philadelphia Phillies 2003-05, New York Mets 2005-2009, Boston Red Sox 2009, Atlanta Braves 2010. Wagner made his Major League Baseball debut with the Astros on September 13, 1995. He is a seven-time MLB All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010) and was the 1999 MLB National League Rolaids Relief Award Winner.
"I'm so happy for Billy and his family," said Ferrum Assistant Baseball Coach Darren Hodges. "He was considered one of the best in the game when he was playing. Now he's considered one of the best ever! What an incredible and very much deserved honor."
Wagner's MLB Numbers
- Career Saves: 422, second best by a left-hand reliever. Eighth best all time.
- Career Strikeouts: 1,196, second most ever by a left-hand reliever and sixth most among all relievers
- Highest K/9 of all time with 11.9 (min. 900 innings pitched)
- Four 100-strikeout seasons
- Ten seasons with at least 75 strikeouts
- .187 career batting average allowed
- Career Earned Run Average: 2.31
- 2010 Earned Run Average: 1.43
- Nine 30-save seasons
- Drafted: first round in 1993 by Houston Astros as 12th pick overall
- Major League Teams (by games pitched): Astros/Phillies/Mets/Red Sox/Braves
- MLB career stats: 47-40 record, 2.31 ear, 422 saves, 11.9 strikeouts per 9 innings
Wagner is the head baseball coach at the Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is married to Ferrum College alumna Sarah Quesenberry. His son, Will Wagner, debuted for the Toronto Blue Jays on August 12, 2024.
"From the time Billy got to Ferrum, we realized he was a special talent with unbelievable arm strength," said former Ferrum Baseball Coach Abe Naff. "Watching him develop into one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball history was so exciting. Then, being drafted in the first round of the MLB draft in 1993, which led to an outstanding professional career and now being recognized as one of the all-time greats ever to play the game, couldn't have come to a more deserving person. Billy is a hall of famer now as a player, but he's always been a hall of famer as a person. We are so proud of Billy and thrilled for him and his family."
Wagner was enshrined into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in November of 2019.