Houston Astros all-time saves leader Billy Wagner is set to receive a prestigious honor as his jersey number, No. 13, will be retired by the team. This recognition coincides with his upcoming induction into the Hall of Fame. The Astros announced this significant tribute on Tuesday, making Wagner the 10th player in the team's history to have his number retired.
The jersey retirement ceremony for Wagner is scheduled to take place on August 16, adding to the list of accolades for the former Astros pitcher. Wagner's Hall of Fame induction is set for July 27 in Cooperstown, alongside other baseball legends such as Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Dave Parker, and Dick Allen.
During his time with the Astros from 1995 to 2003, Wagner established himself as a dominant force on the mound. As a three-time All-Star, he amassed an impressive 225 saves for the team. In the 1999 season, Wagner's exceptional performance earned him a fourth-place finish in the NL Cy Young Award voting. That year, he recorded 39 saves out of 42 opportunities, boasting a remarkable 1.57 ERA with 124 strikeouts and only 35 hits allowed in 74 2/3 innings. His opponents struggled against him, batting just .135.
Following his tenure with the Astros, Wagner was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003. He continued his successful career, accumulating 197 saves for the Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves before retiring in 2010.
In a gesture of respect for Wagner's legacy, Christian Walker, who recently joined the Astros in December, had initially planned to wear the No. 13 jersey. However, in light of Wagner's upcoming jersey retirement, Walker has decided to switch to No. 8.
These honors and recognitions serve as a testament to Billy Wagner's remarkable contributions to the Houston Astros and the sport of baseball as a whole, solidifying his legacy as one of the greats in the game.
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