March 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves released Billy Wagner from their 40-man roster Wednesday, resolving a paper-pushing issue that's been looming since the 39-year-old closer announced he was retiring at the end of last season. The issue was complicated, Braves general manager Frank Wren said, because Wagner was in the middle of a multi-year contract when he decided to retire. He had a $6.5 million option for 2011 that automatically vested. Had the Braves put Wagner on the voluntary retired list, he would have been tied to the Braves for the rest of his career. Had the Braves simply released him, they'd have been on the hook for his 2011 salary. So the agreement they reached Wednesday allowed for the Braves to"
February 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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All winter long, we've been asked why closer Billy Wagner was still on the Braves' 40-man roster, after saying he retired following the 2010 season and not indicating any other intentions since. All winter long, we've been told by team officials and Wagner's agent that the left-hander is retired, period. The Braves have no plans to have him back, even though his $6.5 million option vested with 50 games finished in 2010. Wagner said from early last season that he would leave that on the table if it vested, that he was retired and that was that. He never wavered in that throughout the season, to the point where teammates eventually stopped pleading with him to return, because they knew he"
October 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Closers thrive on neat finishes. Three up, three down game over. So it was awkward Monday night when Billy Wagner's career ended with the Braves' ouster from the division series because it came with jagged edges. The 39-year-old has been saying he'd retire all season. But he pictured it ending like the regular season did, with both his arms extended high on the mound, having just saved a clinching game. Wagner fell short of his goal when he signed with the Braves last winter of reaching the World Series. He came three saves shy of passing John Franco for the most all-time by a left-hander. And he walked off the field for the last time Friday night in Game 2, hunched over with a strained"
October 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With Billy Wagner injured, the Braves could turn to rookie fireballer Craig Kimbrel as their primary closer. Wagner, for one, believes the 22-year-old Alabaman is ready to handle the role, even in postseason pressure. "The hardest person to hit is somebody who gets a lot of swings and misses," Wagner said, and that description certainly fit Kimbrel. A baby-faced strikeout machine with a 96-97 mph fastball, Kimbrel had five strikeouts in 2-2/3 perfect innings during the first two games of the National League Division Series against San Francisco. During the regular season, he had a 0.44 ERA and .125 opponents' average in 21 big-league appearances, with a whopping 40 strikeouts in 20-1/3"
October 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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After two pain-numbing shots Sunday morning didn't help matters, Braves closer Billy Wagner conceded Sunday he wouldn't be able to pitch this round or the next. The Braves substituted reliever Takashi Saito on the roster for him for the rest of the division series. By rule, Wagner won't be eligible to pitch in the National League Championship Series. But his strained left oblique wasn't going to let him anyway. Wagner, 39 and fifth all-time on the career saves list (422), is left to wonder if he's pitched the last game of his 16-year-career. He had delayed retirement one more year for a shot at his first trip to the World Series. Now it will take that from the Braves to give him a chance"
October 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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If someone said in April the Braves would lose both closer Billy Wagner and backup closer Takashi Saito to injuries, I think most of us would've thought that meant serious problems come the ninth inning of a close, crucial game. But that's because we could never have expected Craig Kimbrel to be this good. Or Jonny Venters, for that matter. Bit the kids have been more than alright, and I'm here to say that the Braves, if they've lost Wagner for the rest of the division series (surely they have, even if it's not official yet), and if Saito's not ready to pitch in consecutive games, or pitch at all, are still going to be OK at closer. Kimbrel's been that good. For me, he passed the last"
October 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves manager Bobby Cox said Saturday afternoon the Braves will wait until closer Billy Wagner is evaluated by doctors' Sunday before deciding whether to disable him for the remainder of the National League Division Series with his strained oblique. Wagner injured the muscle in his left side attempting to field a bunt by Edgar Renteria in the 10th inning Friday night. He had to leave the game after only three pitches. "I'm not so sure this round he's going to be available," Cox said. "Maybe next round, we've got our fingers crossed." It was originally thought Wagner would be out the rest of the division series and therefore if disabled, by rule, he'd have to miss the NLCS if the Braves"
October 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Friday's 1-0 win against San Francisco in Game 2 of the National League Division Series was huge but costly for the Braves, who lost closer Billy Wagner to strained his left oblique muscle that might effectively keep him from pitching again before his planned retirement. "That's tough," Braves catcher Brian McCann said. "You can't replace a guy like Billy Wagner. But we're going to do everything we can to [overcome it]. We lost Chipper Jones, Martin Prado, we've lost a lot of key members of this team, and a lot of guys have stepped up. "You saw what [Craig] Kimbrel did tonight. He pitched a great game." Kimbrel struck out four in two perfect innings in the ascendant rookie's first"
October 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Down to the last four outs of Sunday's game, and perhaps not just the career of manager Bobby Cox but retiring closer Billy Wagner, nobody wanted the ball more. For the first time all season, Wagner came in with more than three outs to get. He made it interesting - giving up three runs on back-to-back RBI hits in the eighth -- but he made it last. Wagner struck out the last four hitters he faced, including the side in order in the ninth, looking for his 37th save of the season in the 8-7 win. Afterward, he handed the ball to Cox. They both could have another day. "Don't think that didn't run through my head out there," Wagner said when asked about the possibility of throwing the last"
September 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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In his final season, Braves closer Billy Wagner keeps mowing down hitters and passing along tips on how it's done to his potential replacements, hard-throwing rookies Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters. Wagner, 38, has impressed everyone in the organization both on the field and in the clubhouse, where the left-hander has shared his vast knowledge since spring. "He's a leader," pitching coach Roger McDowell said. "He takes great pleasure working with the young pitchers. Whether it's Kimbrel or Jonny Venters or whoever, he takes great pleasure in trying to help those guys get better. "Just to see it on a day-to-day basis is pretty neat." Wagner announced in April he would retire after the"
September 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves' Billy Wagner was pulling hard for Trevor Hoffman to reach his record 600th career save Tuesday night and not just as a respecting observer and fellow closer. As a friend. Wagner, 38, who is fifth on the all-time list with 417 saves, struck up a friendship with Hoffman over their years together in the National League. He took him out to dinner in July when the Brewers were in Atlanta. "It's good to hear his perspective too because he makes things look so easy," Wagner said. "When you do get the opportunity to sit and hear him, you think, 'Wow he has the same apprehensions I do.' He just makes it look a whole lot easier." What makes Hoffman's feat so impressive, Wagner said, is"
August 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves closer Billy Wagner became the all-time leader in strikeouts by a left-handed reliever Friday night, but he wanted no part in any celebration of it in a 7-1 loss to the Marlins. Wagner reached 1,170 strikeouts for his career by striking out Mike Stanton for the first out of the ninth inning to pass Jesse Orosco. But when his accomplishment was listed on the video board and umpire Tim McClellan tried to stop the game, with catcher David Ross motioning for Wagner to throw in the ball, he refused. "I said 'We're getting our (butts) kicked, it's raining, let's go," said Wagner, who was in the game only to get some work in because he hadn't pitched in a week. "It's stupid. Who in their"
August 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When Billy Wagner notched his 30th save Friday, he also recorded his league-high 50th game finished, which vested a $6.5 million option on his contract for the 2011 season. Doesn't matter. Wagner, for the umpteenth time, reiterated Saturday that he's done after this season. He hasn't wavered on that since he announced it earlier this season, and says he won't. "I'm retiring," the 38-year-old lefty said today as he prepped for the Braves' afternoon game against the Cubs. "I don't know how to say it in a politically correct way, that anybody's going to believe me. "Until I don't show up next year, nobody's going to believe me. Brett Favre's f—ed it up for everybody." Wagner is a no-nonsense"
August 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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With three more strikeouts, Braves closer Billy Wagner will pass Jesse Orosco for the most strikeouts in a career by a left-handed reliever. Orosco has 1,169 strikeouts as a reliever (he had 10 strikeouts as a starter); Wagner was sitting on 1,167 entering Thursday's game against the Nationals. "It's just time," said Wagner, shrugging off the milestone. "Pitching that long you're going to get near something." But pitching long is an accomplishment in itself. And at age 38, in what Wagner says is his last season, he has already surpassed 400 saves for his career, only the fifth reliever ever to do that. He needs 10 saves to catch John Franco for the most saves by a left-hander at 424. But"
July 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Twice Friday night, Brian McCann came up with huge hits to tie the game on the Florida Marlins. Once on a three-run homer in the seventh, and again with a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth. But with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, he failed to catch a high fastball from closer Billy Wagner that outweighed anything, in his mind, that he did with the bat. The Braves lost to the Marlins 7-6 after a passed ball helped the Marlins tie the game and a Donnie Murphy single won it. Afterward, McCann sat dejected at the post-game dinner table in the Braves locker room. "I don't know how I didn't catch that ball," McCann said. "The play has to be made…. It's the"
July 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Billy Wagner was invited as a late addition to the National League All-Star team, but the Braves closer declined in order to rest his sore left ankle during the three-day break. The 38-year-old left-hander will officially be credited for his seventh All-Star appearance, but will not travel to Anaheim with the Braves' five other All-Stars for festivities surrounding Tuesday's game. "It's a great honor any time, but I need to be ready to finish this season and get in the playoffs," Wagner said. "I don't need to worry about pitching in the All-Star game." It didn't help that a baseball official waiting until close to midnight Saturday to call Wagner, who had already made plans to be with his"
June 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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It was Sunday morning, a day after Chipper Jones beat Detroit with a three-run homer on a Joel Zumaya 100-mph fastball. The Braves third baseman and closer Billy Wagner were in the clubhouse, talking about homers and triple-digit heaters. Two 38-year-old graybeards, swapping "war" stories like Hooper and Quint in the movie Jaws, just without blood and scars. "If it's straight enough, you can time a jet plane," Jones said, referring to a baseball axiom about straight fastballs being hittable no matter the velocity. "If it's got a little sink to it, it's a little tougher," Jones said, smiling. "Ain't that right, Wags?" Wagner was at his locker a few feet away. "Believe it," Wagner said."
June 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Brian McCann hit his 100th homer, and Braves pitcher Kris Medlen further solidified his case for a spot in the starting rotation, but Friday night was all about what happened at the end. Billy Wagner's 400th save. The 38-year-old closer struck out all three Detroit batters in the ninth inning of a 3-1 Braves win at Turner Field to become the fifth pitcher in history with 400 career saves. "I don't think you draw it up quite like that -- I mean that's a fantasy-type situation," Wagner said of striking out the side. "But I had 'em swinging at some high pitches so, you know, you take it. Because it doesn't happen very often." Medlen pitched 6 2/3 strong innings for the win, McCann's"
June 22
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves closer Billy Wagner arrives in Chicago Tuesday on the cusp of history. With his next save, he'll become only the fourth reliever and second left-hander in major league history to record 400 saves. He seemed to get here like one of his 98 mph fastballs - in a hurry. As the Braves closed down their last homestand, the 38-year-old pitched four days in a row and collected three saves along with a win to reach No. 399. But the number that meant more to Wagner last weekend, actually, was 7. His daughter Olivia celebrated her 7th birthday at Turner Field Friday night, clad in a navy blue "Wagner 13" Braves T-shirt. He got a glimpse of her on the video board in the second inning. Wagner"
May 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Billy Wagner will retire at the end of this season, the 38-year-old closer told Braves manager Bobby Cox on Friday. Wagner, who is sixth all-time in saves with 387, wanted to reach 400 career saves and has it plainly in his sights. But with or without that mark, and whether he comes close to John Franco's saves record for a lefthander at 424 , he'll call it quits at the end of the 2010 season. He said he will not play out his $6.5 million option for next season, which automatically vests if he finishes 50 games. He wants to spend more time with his family. "I still like the competition, that's why I do it," said Wagner, who turns 39 on July 25. "I like going out and winning, that still"
April 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Braves closer Billy Wagner hadn't pitched in a week, and said even veterans have a hard time staying sharp with that much time off. "Oh, hell yes," he said before Tuesday night's game against the Cardinals. "It'll be no fun when I come in the game, and I'm sure it won't be any room for error. It should be about a one-run game with [Albert] Pujols coming up." He wasn't complaining. He knows the situation comes with the territory for a closer whose team is struggling. The Braves had a six-game losing streak before Tuesday, the last four losses coming on the current trip - three at New York over the weekend, and a 4-3 defeat in Monday's series opener at St. Louis. "Especially on the road"
April 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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When Billy Wagner, wearing a towel, returned to his locker after showering Friday afternoon, reporters were waiting to talk to him. You know, about the two-run homer Edgar Renteria hit off him more than an hour earlier, in the ninth inning of an excruciating, 13-inning Braves loss to the Giants. Wagner didn't give us a roll of the eyes, didn't try to stare anyone down or start with that naïve complaint you sometimes get from neophyte closers, which goes like this: "Why is it you guys only want to talk to me when I screw up?" Not from Wagner."
April 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves have gotten six strikeouts and a single in two games from their supposed new right-handed slugger Troy Glaus. Now, the good stuff. The Braves are 2-0 and already have game-winning homers from Chipper Jones and Jason Heyward (his put them up 6-3 in the 16-5 opening win) and a save from Billy Wagner, who's 38 and surgically repaired, but has looks almost as nasty as ever. After the game tonight Chipper - his two-run homer in the eighth turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win - talked about how this lineup and team can beat opponents in a variety of ways, from outslugging them like Monday to winning close-and-late like tonight. His point was that they have the lineup and bullpen for"
April 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves were up by 11 runs, there wasn't a save situation within miles of Turner Field, but for the Braves new closer Billy Wagner, running in from the bullpen for the ninth inning on Opening Day was just the adrenaline rush he wanted. Entering the game to the thundering riffs of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" he got his first ovation from Braves fans at Turner Field. Not that he could hear it. "I would have if my heart wasn't in my ears," Wagner said after his perfect ninth inning in his Braves debut. "I'm pretty wound up by the time I get out there." Wagner is 38. He's playing for his fifth major league team. He's saved 385 games, sixth-most in baseball history. And this was his 13th"
March 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Now this was more like it from Braves closer Billy Wagner, who faced three batters in the fourth inning and recorded three outs, including one strikeout and a double-play grounder. The veteran lefty allowed three hits and two runs in his spring debut Friday against Washington. "I feel like I had better command of the strike zone, and that to me is key," said Wagner, 38, who missed most of last season with the Mets while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery. Wagner, who recorded 59 of his 385 career saves during two seasons with the Phillies in 2004-2005, didn't mind being booed by plenty of Philly fans in a crowd of 10,674 at the Braves' spring home. "Fans make the game," he said."
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Braves noticed quickly that you can take the boy out of Tannersville, but can't take Tannersville out of the boy. Or the man, in this particular case. Because there's nothing about Billy Wagner that seems boyish anymore. The Braves' new closer is 38, with more hair on his chest than head. He's listed generously at 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds, a height he's probably never known, a weight he hasn't for some time. He's stout around the middle, thick in the thighs, thicker in the calves. His regular attire - on the farm, in the hotel lobby, at the ballpark, wherever -- is jeans, collared western shirt and boots, topped off with a cowboy hat. That's a look you must own or leave at home. "If"
February 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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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"