FINEST FINAL YEARS

Everyone knows that when a ballplayer reaches
His late thirties, very early forties, his prime is
Far behind him, and he exists because of the
Images of skill that name recognition carry —
But there are those very few who shine years
Beyond their prime. Take, as a rare example,
The great reliever Billy Wagner, a seven-time
All-Star with a lifetime Earned Run Average of
2.31, and a 16-year career that included 422 saves
And 1,196 strikeouts, a pitcher who helped take
His teams to the post-season seven times. Not
Much was expected of him in his last full year,
2009, when he was 38 – – – and yet, pitching for
The Braves that year, winding down a career as
A gamble, Wagner surprised many experts and
Surpassed far-fetched hopes with 37 saves, a
1.43 ERA, and 104 strikeouts in 69.1 innings.
He finished hurling half a season in 2010, and
Recording an ERA of 1.21, was selected as an
All-Star, and proceeded to retire, surpassed in
Lifetime ERA and ERA+ as a reliever by only the
Greatest of them all, Mariano Rivera. In his
Ninth year of eligibility for Cooperstown, he
Missed selection by 1.2% of the required vote.
He showed greatness in his final year of pitching,
But he will be recognized for this in his final year of
Eligibility. Wagner has always been a really strong
Finisher!