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Atlanta Braves: Revisiting Billy Wagner’s 2010 season

By Matt Melton

ATLANTA - JUNE 25: Closer Billy Wagner #13 of the Atlanta Braves stands at the back of the mound before pitching in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Turner Field on June 25, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. Wagner saved his 400th game with the 3-1 win. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - JUNE 25: Closer Billy Wagner #13 of the Atlanta Braves stands at the back of the mound before pitching in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Turner Field on June 25, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. Wagner saved his 400th game with the 3-1 win. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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With Billy Wagner in his seventh year on the Hall of Fame ballot, let’s look back at his lone season with the Atlanta Braves. 

Currently in his seventh year on the Hall of Fame ballot, Billy Wagner may most-likely be remembered by his time spent with either the Houston Astros (1995-2003) or New York Mets (2006-09). However, one of Wagner’s best single-season’s actually came with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, his final year in the major leagues.

One of the greatest closers of all-time, Wagner’s Hall of Fame case is evident. Across his 16-year MLB career, Wagner held a combined 2.31 ERA with 422 saves (sixth all-time, second-highest among LHP), as well as a few other notable accolades such as a seven-time All-Star, 1999 Rolaids Reliever of the Year, and much more.

As mentioned previously however, Wagner’s legendary career ended back in 2010 after a phenomenal season as the Braves closer. Let’s take a look back at that special 2010 season in Atlanta.

Revisiting Billy Wagner’s 2010 season with the Atlanta Braves

After concluding the 2009 season with the Boston Red Sox, Wagner was signed by the Braves as a free agent back on December 2, 2009, bringing the star closer to Atlanta after pitching only 15.2 combined innings a year earlier.

Cemented as the club’s closer from day one, Wagner would go-on to excel in Atlanta during the 2010 season, one of the best single-season’s of his career.

Making a total of 71 appearances (69.1 IP), Wagner would post a 1.43 ERA (lowest of his career) with 37 saves, as well as making his seventh, and final, All-Star appearance. Included in this season were two significant scoreless streaks without an ER (17 games from 5/22 – 6/30, 18 games from 8/13 – 9/29), as well as other notable numbers such as a 38.8 K%, 2.5 WAR, and a 104:22 K:BB ratio.

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As mentioned at the start, Wagner will likely most-likely be remembered by his time in either Houston, New York, or even Philadelphia, but the left-hander’s 2010 season in Atlanta should not go unnoticed.

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