Braves Quote For The Day: Billy Wagner Retires Too

by gondeee on Oct 12, 2010 10:42 AM EDT in Braves Quote For The Day

Amid all the Bobby hysteria, I almost forgot that Billy Wagner made his retirement official yesterday as well.

"This year has been nothing but great for me," Wagner said. "I thank God I got to retire as a Brave. It's the greatest honor I could ever have -- to be on the favorite team of my childhood. About the only thing [better] would have been if I could have snuck Dale [Murphy's] number on. That would have been about it."

Such an awesome professional. I respect his decision to hang 'em up, but I really wish he was coming back. We would absolutely NOT ridicule him if he were to change his mind. Yes, we'll be fine with Kimbrel and Venters, but they would be really good seventh and eighth inning options if Billy could come back and hold down the ninth once again next year.

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Man of His Word

He’s a man of his word but I just can’t see him retiring after getting hurt in the playoffs. He would have closed out Game 3 and maybe we would be in the NLCS. Making the playoffs and being close to the World Series, with this overachieving team, him being such a competitor, I can’t see him retiring. I’d like to see all the veterans take a pay cut so we can definitely afford the 1 or 2 missing piece. Lowe, Chipper, Wagner

by braves077 on Oct 12, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree.

I definitely believe he’s done. He’s not the type who needs to go out in a blaze of glory to validate his career.

by Tarkus on Oct 12, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Wags

Awesome to see you in a Braves uniform and see you pitch live.

CLAP CLAP CLAP!

by dank7 on Oct 12, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

That's awesome

“The greatest honor.” Wow, that’s awesome. We’ll miss you, too, Billy!

by TheRickMoranis on Oct 12, 2010 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Today

Kinda sucks…

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Oct 12, 2010 10:57 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

agreed.

but there is still tomorrow….maybe

by rookiefan on Oct 12, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s a sad day for Braves fan. On the bright side. Chipper Jones will be back!!!!

by rcates on Oct 12, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

Billy we hardly knew ye

by J-Freak on Oct 12, 2010 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

At his age after all these years...

All he did was dominate and post a career-best ERA in a Braves uni… Say it ain’t so Billy, don’t go yet!!

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Oct 12, 2010 11:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

"I thank God I got to retire as a Brave."

You’re a class act, Billy. It was a pleasure to see you in a Braves uniform.

Eddie V

by DolphinNation on Oct 12, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I would love to have him back,

but our pen will still be strong next year, especially if we get one more veteran arm to give CK another year of prep….maybe a certain San Diego closer who may be available?

by king of games on Oct 12, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I think that Kimbrell is ready. The only issue he may have is location. That is something that can be controlled. I also noticed that he didn’t walk batters like he did in AAA.

The bullpen. EOF, Dunn, Venters, Kimbrell, Moylan.

Venters can pitch against lefties and righties. He’s that good.

by rcates on Oct 12, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Has

EOF got his vision back yet?? Any updates??

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Oct 12, 2010 11:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree CK is fully capable,

but Heath Bell is available, he’s a free agent after next year, and a full year of setup for CK would be more help than hiderance.

by king of games on Oct 12, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

I won't forget it

I was at Braves/Marlins game earlier this year and my cousin got a ball from the bat boy after a dead play that started with a Wags pitch… I told her not to ever lose that ball because it had been held by Wags and if she lost it it would break my heart…

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Oct 12, 2010 11:13 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Instead of a final photo showing Billy hurting, I'd rather remember him like this:

I admire and respect Billy as a great pitcher, but also as a man. He’s a straightforward, no BS kind of guy that means what he says. I’m glad I got to see him pitch in person both when I lived in Houston for a while and now as a Brave. HE was a big part of why we made it to the post season.

Enjoy your post baseball life and your family now Billy – you’ve earned it.

My avatar has a message for Bobby.
"Curve: The loveliest distance between two points." ~ Mae West

by NCChopper on Oct 12, 2010 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 8 recs

This

You were a fierce competitor and thank you for giving the Braves a great season.

"Give him the heater Ricky."

by Pavy848 on Oct 12, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

This times a million.

"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Oct 12, 2010 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

+421

a class act on and off the field. While I would love to see him back next year, I truly admire him for sticking to his word and going out on top to spend more time with his family

"C'mon Chip!" Bobby Cox

by ByrneSupremacy on Oct 12, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Now imagine if Bobby, Chipper and Wagner were all retiring. Walmarts in the Atlanta area would run out of tissues.

"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones

by MBL1 on Oct 12, 2010 11:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

He couldn't finish the playoffs

Therefore he owes us another season. It’s in the Constitution. Look it up.

Don't kiss an ass if it's in the process of shitting on you.

"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09

by buzzdeadwax on Oct 12, 2010 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

The 37 1/2th Amendment

by J-Freak on Oct 12, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

See?

I told you it was there. Let me get the Attorney General on the phone…

Don't kiss an ass if it's in the process of shitting on you.

by buzzdeadwax on Oct 12, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly! This is a decision that's best left up to the suits in Washington...

Just like cannibalism and racism

http://www.hulu.com/watch/37197/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-cannibal-and-racist

Going to miss Billy and Bobby!

by bradleyjah on Oct 12, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Bird law.

"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Oct 12, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty great to see a guy who played for the team one season to say, “I thank God I got to retire as a Brave. It’s the greatest honor I could ever have”. Just another way to show how great being a Brave can be. Too bad to see him go, but he stuck to his word.

That said, anyone heard of this Kimbrel guy? Heard he was pretty good and Wagner said he’d be a pretty good closer someday.

by CharlotteChop on Oct 12, 2010 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Poor guy, stuck playing for the Mets all those years. Great that he pitched so well this year though, and the Mets closer…..well, enough said.

by king of games on Oct 12, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Let's move on now. New manager and new closer. Go Braves!!!

Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.

by taney71 on Oct 12, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

On the last game of the regular season, I took video of Billy’s last entry with Metallica blaring. Glad I was there.

by ryantex on Oct 12, 2010 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Glad I was too. Drove 700 miles in 32 hours but can proudly say I got to see it.

"If you were going to make a Mount Rushmore of managers, Bobby's one of them."
-Mike Scioscia

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Oct 12, 2010 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually got to talk to Billy Wagner at Dodger Stadium earlier this season. My brother and I got seats that were right next to the Braves bullpen. I chatted with Venters, Eddie Perez gave me a ball. It was great. It was about the 7th inning and Wagner comes in to sit down. There is a guy on the other side of the bullpen (Dodger fan) that wanted to say hello to Billy. The fan looked a lot like Billy complete with beard. The fans around the guy started telling Billy that the guy was his twin and he couldn’t help but laugh. My brother and I were the only Braves fans in our section and he looked over at me and said “What do you think?” I told him that it’s pretty close but I would get a DNA test if I were him. Everyone else laughed at that. I had never spoken to Wagner before that but he seems like a really cool guy. He did great for us this season. Sorry to see him go.

by jayjaxon on Oct 12, 2010 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

He was awesome this year; I still think he’s got one more good season left.

Oh well. We’ll miss you, Billy!!

The birth of Jason Heyward was God’s punishment for the sins of the people in New York and Philly.

by TonyAlmeyda on Oct 12, 2010 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

I was not

A fan of signing Wagner at the beginning of the season. Thought it was a bad move, just because Bobby had always wanted him didnt mean now that he was old, and available, we should sign him. Boy was I wrong. Wagner has shown he was very capable for the job and was a key piece of this team. The more I heard him talk about baseball, the more respect for him I gained. I think Billy is a class act, has the ultimate respect for the game, and I will miss him playing for the Braves. I wish he could come back as a bullpen coach, I think he had a big influence on Kimbrel and the others. I understand and respect his decision to put his family first. Cheers to you Billy, congrats on a fabulous career, and on being a great person!

by HeyMikey on Oct 12, 2010 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

The guy was simply awesome; wish he would come back next year, but I understand.

-Yellow Jackets, Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Thrashers fan!

by ChrisK562 on Oct 12, 2010 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for everything Billy! We NEVER would have made it this far without you!

by jdmarine on Oct 12, 2010 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

HOF

I wonder what the odds of BW heading into the hall as a Brave would be…

by kalesi on Oct 12, 2010 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Slim to none, another season and he would have been pretty close to a lock.

by king of games on Oct 12, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I think if he’s voted in he’ll go as an Astro… I’d doubt he’d go as a Met and lord knows he hates Philly as much as I do

"I wasn’t thinking about it. That’s the worst celebration of all time. I didn’t know what to do. I got lost in the moment." - Brian McCann

by HansonManCrush on Oct 12, 2010 3:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Zero.

He was a Hall of Famer before he ever pitched for the Braves. And you don’t get your logo on a player’s bust for one year.

by Tarkus on Oct 12, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Relief pitchers have had pretty rough sledding in Hall of Fame voting.

Still, he’s certainly one of the most deserving relievers of his era.

by SS451 on Oct 12, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

He may have officially retired, but I’d talk to him in May and see if he wanted to change his mind. A Clemens contract (come in July/August) might suit him.

by Broccoman on Oct 12, 2010 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

Never had such a turnaround in regards to liking a ballplayer.

I hated Billy when he was a Phillie. I really hated him when he was a Met. I admit I was annoyed and disgusted when we signed him. And yet, in the ten months since we signed him, my hatred has transformed to respect, admiration and love. He only spent a year with us but to me, he’s a Brave forever. So long Billy, you will be missed.

by E-Lizz on Oct 12, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions