Watch: Billy Wagner’s tearful reaction to Hall of Fame call shows the weight of the moment

This year is the last one for Billy Wagner's Hall of Fame case as it's his 10th and final year on the ballot. In year nine, he came close but fell short. If he were once again below the 75% vote threshold, he would've had to rely on a special committee, which is far from a guarantee, down the line to get in.

For Wagner, it's fortunate it didn't come down to that. The voters finally came to the consensus that he was a Hall of Fame player and they voted him in. The moment Wagner found out that his dream had come true showed how big it was for the former MLB star.

Wagner answered the phone on induction night with his family. His face turned red and he couldn't hold back the tears as whoever was on the other line on Tuesday confirmed his fate. It was an overwhelming display of emotion from the former Houston Astros pitcher.

Wagner had a solid career with a lot of strong metrics, but the Baseball Writers of America didn't feel like it was Cooperstown-worthy. Finally, with no more chances left, they voted at 82.5% to induct.

He is joined by CC Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki, two first-timers on the ballot, in the official 2025 MLB Hall of Fame class.

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MLB insider says Billy Wagner's HOF induction is good for closers

Pitchers appeared to be the big winners on induction night. With Billy Wagner and CC Sabathia getting into the Hall, it marks a shift in how their position is viewed moving forward.

Billy Wagner made the Hall of Fame (Imagn)

"It took Billy Wagner all 10 years on the ballot, but he's a Hall of Famer," MLB insider Jorge Closer said on Monday, via ESPN. "He ranks eighth all-time in saves. Jansen and Kimbrel rank fourth and fifth, respectively, with more perhaps coming. Rodriguez is sixth. He polled at just 10.2% this year, but Wagner polled at just 10% in his first two years.

"Wagner was more dominant over the course of his career than them and posted a higher career WAR but, given the increased importance of relievers in the sport, Wagner's induction is good news for closers in the future."

Relievers are often looked down upon in baseball, especially regarding the Hall of Fame. Castillo thinks that Wagner's induction means that perceptions are changing.