Former Houston Astros reliever Billy Wagner will find out next Tuesday if he reached the 75% threshold for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Arguably a top three reliever in Major League Baseball history, it’s a bit questionable that Wagner isn’t in the Hall of Fame.
However, baseball voters are tough, and for the many reasons they cite, the Astros all-time great has yet to get a plaque in Cooperstown, N.Y.
And for Wagner, this isn’t an easy process. Sure, from the outside, he understands how incredible of an opportunity this is and is thankful to receive it, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he can’t control anything, and with this being his 10th and final time on the ballot, voters need to help him out.
“You’re sitting here and you can’t control it,” Wagner said, according to Tyler Kepner of The Athletic. “It’s tough. I hate it. It’s just not been a very fun experience, especially when it comes down to your 10th and final ballot. It’s not going to be pleasant. It’s a grind, but in a couple of days, this will be over — one way or the other, good or bad.”