Billy Wagner

To me a hero is someone who coaches us about a variety of life's significant lessons, or has been there for you. This man that I choose has taught me a very valuable life lesson during his carrier. This man is Billy Wagner! Billy Wagner is an admirable person to me, because he shows me that with persistence you can achieve in what you love best. Another reason Billy Wagner is an admirable person is because he is a very calm person when it comes to pitching. Even though he might run into a bit of a pickle, he keeps trying and manages to get through it. Billy Wagner is a very dependable person when it comes to pitching. His team depends on him to close out the game for a sure win. These are the many admirable traits about Billy Wagner.

To some people they look at Billy Wagner as just some guy, however to me he's not. In my eyes he's a determined man who won't give up in his career. My hero hasn't done something to impact the world, but he's done enough to impact my life. As a child Wagner was naturally right handed, but he taught himself how to throw with his left hand after he broke his throwing arm twice. He spent most of his free time practicing throwing fast balls at a barn wall. He graduated from Tazewell high school, where he was named the 1990 baseball player of the year. Wagner was introduced into the Salem Roanoke baseball hall of fame in Salem Virginia, in February 2003.

Wagner began in 1996 in the minors as a starter and finished it by becoming a major league reliever. His contract was purchased by the Astros on June 2nd, and Wagner was immediately converted to a reliever. He had finished his year with nine saves in thirteen opportunities, and allowed only 28 hits and struck out 67 hitters in only 51.2 innings. In 1997 Wagner played his first full season in the major leagues. He struck out the side 13 times, and his 106 strikeouts also set a club record for relievers. On July 15th, while trying to hold an 8-7 lead against Arizona, he was struck on the left side of his head. It was a line drive off the bat of Kelly Stinned. He was removed from the field on a stretcher. He had suffered a concussion and spent the night at the Phoenix hospital. The day after he was returned to Houston, however was placed on a 15 day disabled list. He was recalled on august 6th, and remained healthy the rest of the season. During the 2000 season, he had suffered an elbow injury and recovered fine and kept going.

Wagner was traded to Philadelphia before the 2004 season, only to have his season shortened by a strain in his throwing arm shoulder. Wagner had become a free agent after the 2005 season and signed a four year, 43million contract with the New York Mets on November 28th 2005. During the may 7th 2006 interview, Wagner had been confronted by all of his former phillies teammates in September 2005. Wagner had criticized their performance in the media by repeatedly saying, "the phillies have no chance of making it to the playoffs."

Wagner finished 2006 with 40 saves and a 2.27 ERA. Wagner started out pretty good for the first half of the 2007 season. During the month of July he produced an ERA of 0, giving up 2 hits and pitched enough innings for a complete game shutout. His first half performance had earned him a spot on the all-star team. His second half wasn�t as successful. In the 2008 all star game, Wagner gave up a game tying double to Tampa rays third basemen Evan Longoria. In 2008 the Mets announced that Wagner tore the medial collateral ligament in his left elbow. This would require extensive surgery, and he was out for the year. In a news conference with Wagner he had vowed to return playing. Wagner said he does not want to end his career in this fashion, and would like to win a world series, and reach around 420 saves. However, Wagner stated that he has played his last game as a Met. Wagner explained that it would not make sense for the pets to pick up the 2010 $8 million option.

During Wagner's career, he had many amazing accomplishments. These accomplishments are that during the 1999 season he was outstanding. He captured the relief man of the year award in the national league. He saved 39 games and and established a new major league record for strikeouts in at least 50 innings. He was one of the leading candidates for TSN comeback player of the year in the national league. He was commented as the hardest throwing man in baseball by leading the major leagues with 159 pitches at 100 miles per hour, or above. On June 11th Wagner closed out a no hitter thrown by a record six pitches. To date it was the most recent astros no-hitter. In 2005 he led the league in games finished again. He had a milestone 300th career save on July 4th 2006, against the pirates. He had one the man of the month award for July.

In conclusion, Billy Wagner has probably touched some kids, and inspired them to work hard in what they love best. Billy Wagner is an inspirational man, because when things started getting tough he never gave up and he believed in himself. This is why I want to grow up to be just like Billy Wagner.