Last Tuesday, the phone did not ring for Billy Wagner.
The former Mets closer came within five votes of entering the Hall of Fame polling at 73.8%, but did not get elected in his ninth appearance on the ballot.
Wagner opened up about that disappointment to The Athletic’s Jayson Stark on Tuesday.
“It was a little bit more nerve-wracking than in the past,” Wagner said on “The Athletic Baseball Show,” via Stark. “I mean, you have the NBC Nightly News down. They’re following you around. And waiting on that phone call. You know, I’m not going to lie. It was one of probably the most disappointing things that’s happened to me (so) far in my career.
“But also, it was one of the best teaching moments I could ever have as a coach,” Wagner went on, “because I had to sit here and take that disappointment and show these kids, who were standing there looking at me, that you can’t run, you just can’t be upset. Sometimes you’ve just got to grin and bear it and move on. But by far and away, it was different than the years past.”
Wagner, 52, played with the Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox and Braves in his 16-year MLB career, during which he recorded 422 career saves and a 2.31 ERA. He will get one more chance to enter the Hall of Fame next year with his 10th appearance on the ballot.
Bridget Hyland may be reached at [email protected]
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