Billy Wagner

Billy Wagner, a prominent figure in Major League Baseball, began his illustrious career when he was selected in the first round of the 1993 MLB draft by the Houston Astros. He made his Major League debut on September 12, 1995, and in 1997, he set a major league record with 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings. An integral part of a no-hitter thrown by a record six pitchers against the New York Yankees in 2003, Wagner was also the majors' hardest-throwing pitcher the same year, throwing 159 pitches at 100 mph or faster. He saved 39 games and struck out 124 in 74 innings in 1999, earning him the Relief Man of the Year Award in the National League.

Wagner signed a four-year contract with the New York Mets on November 29, 2005, and recorded his 300th career save in the following year. His contributions to the sport were recognized multiple times, as he was named to the National League All-Star team seven times and received the Delivery Man of the Month Award in July 2007. Wagner retired from professional baseball in 2010 and transitioned into coaching at The Miller School of Albemarle in Virginia, where he led his team to four Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association state championships.

His dedication to his craft was recognized through his induction into multiple halls of fame, including the Ferrum College Hall of Fame in 2003, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Houston Astros Hall of Fame in 2020. In his final year on the ballot, Wagner was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025, and the Astros retired his No. 13 jersey in his honor.