Former Houston Astros closer Billy Wagner was denied election into the Baseball Hall of Fame in each of the nine previous years prior. Wagner's extended wait led to an outpouring of emotion after he cleared the 75-percent voting share needed for induction Tuesday night.

For Billy Wagner, once more, prestige lay in the final frame. Wagner, the former Houston Astros closer, was elected Tuesday to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the honor arriving in his 10th and final year of eligibility on the writers’ ballot and ending an agonizing wait for one of the most dominant relief pitchers of his era.

Billy Wagner has had a year to think about his proximity to the Baseball Hall of Fame. In his penultimate year on the ballot in 2024, the seven-time All-Star closer finished five votes shy of being enshrined.

Closer Billy Wagner, whose final season came in with the Braves, was elected into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday. He appeared on 85.2% of ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.