"Billy Wagner cut a rugged figure as he strode across the field to the dugout Friday morning. The Braves' new closer wore a brown cowboy hat, jeans, work boots and Western-style flannel shirt.

One has to be good - and confident - to pull off that look in this environment.

Wagner is, and did.

Pitchers and catchers reported Friday, but Wagner and some others had been in camp several days. The 37-year-old "Wags" looked like he'd been there several years, judging from the ease with which he interacted with teammates and held court with reporters.

"Wags is going to be the veteran presence that - not that we've been missing, necessarily, but I think he's just going to have that presence and ability to sort of manipulate us into the way he wants the bullpen to be," reliever Peter Moylan said. "He's the kind of character that I'm sure this team wants our bullpen to act like."

Early arrivers noticed the amiable Wagner was all business in workouts. They're excited to have a closer with 385 career saves. After missing most of last season recovering from elbow surgery, Wagner said he was excited to get into Braves camp and get going."