To gain entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Billy Wagner completed a climb few candidates have managed. Wagner, the former Houston Astros closer, attained the 75% support from voters required for election in his final year of eligibility on the writers’ ballot.

Billy Wagner anxiously waited for his moment, but not just for himself, for what it meant to the future of baseball.

FERRUM, Va. (WDBJ) - With more than 82% of the baseball writers vote, Southwest Virginia’s own Billy Wagner has been elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.