When he takes the podium later this month in Cooperstown, new Baseball Hall of Famer Billy Wagner will most likely mention a few Virginia towns in his acceptance speech.
The former closer, who had 422 saves in the majors, grew up in Tannersville and Marion, went to high school in Tazewell and was drafted by the Houston Astros out of Ferrum College in 1993. He also lived in Dublin early in his pro career.
The long-time baseball coach at the Miller School in Albemarle County, Wagner, 53, will become the sixth native of Virginia to reach the highest level of the sport during ceremonies July 27 in the idyllic village in upstate New York. Wagner is the first product of the southwest part of the state to be so honored.