In electing Wagner, the BBWAA has defined the modern-day closer as its own entity, with candidates’ credentials measured not against the whole of the body but against this specific peer group.

Baseball Hall of Fame class will include five players. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner will join Dick Allen and Dave Parker in Cooperstown this summer, the BB

Flamethrowing left-hander Billy Wagner earned his spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, officially getting elected on his 10th and final time on the ballot. He'll go into Cooperstown on July 27 alongside Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia,