Billy Wagner and Other former Astros Failed Hall of Fame Entry

Each year a ballot is given to baseball writers to select who they believe should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

The hallowed ground of a 75% or higher vote gets a player into the Hall of Fame and there have been multiple former Houston Astros on the ballots for years. This Tuesday, the vote took place, and Billy Wager among other former Astros didn’t make the grade.

Wagner, the best closer in Astros history, has only a few years left before his 2025 ballot time expires to make it into the Hall of Fame.

Wagner, this far, has been increasing in his percent of the vote but this years 51 percent is nowhere close to the 75 percent needed and it remains in doubt as to whether he will make it through.

The closer is the Astros all-time leader in saves with 225 and 422 career saves over the course of 16 years and he had an outstanding 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings average.

Growing up watching Wagner come in and shut the door on opposing teams with his devastating slider and his heavy fastball gave so much confidence to Astros’ fans the game was a done deal with him on the mound.

Wagner’s whimsical story of his broken arm transformation into a dominant southpaw who is a right handed only adds to the case for one of the best stories and players who deserves a spot  in the hall.

Another former Astro for a brief stint and Houston native, Roger Clemens failed again at his bid to get into the hall.

Clemens amassed only 65.2 percent of the vote in his final bid to enter the hall and the PEDs embroiled controversial pitcher was lumped in with the failed ballot of Barry Bonds and didn’t make the cut. Clemens via Twitter blasted the voters and thanked the fans for their support.

The Astros had the pleasure of Clemens leading the staff for three years, especially his 2004 All Star and Cy Young season beating out Randy Johnson and teammate Roy Oswalt. Clemens also helped anchor the National League pennant winning Astros the following year.

I for one thing he deserves to be in the hall and his accomplishments are beyond great.  He has gotten close in voting but come on guys it’s time, and for Pete’s sake (pun intended) Pete Rose needs to be as well.

A final former Astro, albeit for only two seasons, Jeff Kent also failed to make the hall with 32.7% of the vote. Pitching standout during the Astros first World Series run, Andy Pettitte garnered only 10.7% of the vote and also failed to make the ballot.

No matter what your thoughts on whether or not these players should make the hall, one thing is clear, the current Astros will fill up the ballot, and I hope they can make it in.