Floor Speech2026-10-15

HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETIC CAREER OF MLB HALL OF FAME PITCHER BILLY WAGNER

Context

On 2026-10-15, Representative H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETIC CAREER OF MLB HALL OF FAME PITCHER BILLY WAGNER" in the House.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1087-E1088] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETIC CAREER OF MLB HALL OF FAME PITCHER BILLY WAGNER ______ HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, October 15, 2026 Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary athletic career of Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame pitcher and Southwest Virginia's very own, Mr. Billy Wagner. Mr. Wagner was born on July 25, 1971, in Marion, Virginia. He spent most of his upbringing in neighboring Tazewell County, where he would attend high school. At Tazewell High School, Mr. Wagner's athletic career took off. As a dual-sport competitor in baseball and football, he was part of the school football championship in 1986. But for Mr. Wagner, his heart was in baseball. Following his high school graduation, Mr. Wagner stayed in the region and pursued collegiate baseball at Ferrum College in Franklin County, Virginia. While there, Mr. Wagner set a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III record by averaging 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings and secured All-American honors. After a dominant collegiate career, MLB scouts took notice. The Houston Astros selected Mr. Wagner with the 12th overall pick in the 1993 MLB Draft. He would make his MLB debut on September 13, 1995. Over the course of 16 MLB seasons, Mr. Wagner pitched for five MLB franchises. He compiled 1,196 strikeouts, a 2.31 ERA, 422 saves and seven all-star selections. The successful reliever boasted 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings, which remains the highest rate for any MLB pitcher with at least 900 innings since 1900. These accolades distinguished Mr. Wagner, also known as ``Billy the Kid,'' from most relief pitchers in MLB history. Accordingly, in 2025, Mr. Wagner was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the first NCAA Division III baseball player to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. Those in his inductee class are MLB legends Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia. Although these accomplishments warrant praise, Mr. Wagner is also recognized as a devoted husband, a father of four, a mentor and a charity leader. Through the Wagner Family Foundation, Mr. Wagner has supported literacy initiatives, homeless outreach programs and organizations serving at-risk youth. Additionally, Mr. Wagner never lost his identity nor forgot his roots. In 2005, he founded the Second Chance Learning Center in Bluefield, Virginia, to help provide tutoring and counseling services for local underserved children. A 2008 New York Post story detailed that despite his career taking him far from home, Mr. Wagner was still the same country boy throwing heat against the side of the dairy. As part of his Hall of Fame induction remarks, Mr. Wagner thanked his coaches from Tazewell and Ferrum for their positive impact on his career and life. He also wore a Ferrum College pin and Tazewell County pin on his suit lapel during the ceremony. Most recently, Mr. Wagner joined Ferrum baseball's coaching staff. [[Page E1088]] Anyone from Southwest Virginia who visits Cooperstown, New York, will now get to see one of their own in legendary company. Mr. Wagner defied the odds during a hard-fought journey to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He continues to inspire scores of young athletes and athletic programs in our region. Southwest Virginia is incredibly proud of Mr. Billy Wagner. ____________________

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HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETIC CAREER OF MLB HALL OF FAME PITCHER BILLY WAGNER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 161 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1087-E1088] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETIC CAREER OF MLB HALL OF FAME PITCHER BILLY WAGNER ______ HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, October 15, 2026 Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary athletic career of Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Fame pitcher and Southwest Virginia's very own, Mr. Billy Wagner. Mr. Wagner was born on July 25, 1971, in Marion, Virginia. He spent most of his upbringing in neighboring Tazewell County, where he would attend high school. At Tazewell High School, Mr. Wagner's athletic career took off. As a dual-sport competitor in baseball and football, he was part of the school football championship in 1986. But for Mr. Wagner, his heart was in baseball. Following his high school graduation, Mr. Wagner stayed in the region and pursued collegiate baseball at Ferrum College in Franklin County, Virginia. While there, Mr. Wagner set a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III record by averaging 19.1 strikeouts per nine innings and secured All-American honors. After a dominant collegiate career, MLB scouts took notice. The Houston Astros selected Mr. Wagner with the 12th overall pick in the 1993 MLB Draft. He would make his MLB debut on September 13, 1995. Over the course of 16 MLB seasons, Mr. Wagner pitched for five MLB franchises. He compiled 1,196 strikeouts, a 2.31 ERA, 422 saves and seven all-star selections. The successful reliever boasted 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings, which remains the highest rate for any MLB pitcher with at least 900 innings since 1900. These accolades distinguished Mr. Wagner, also known as ``Billy the Kid,'' from most relief pitchers in MLB history. Accordingly, in 2025, Mr. Wagner was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the first NCAA Division III baseball player to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. Those in his inductee class are MLB legends Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia. Although these accomplishments warrant praise, Mr. Wagner is also recognized as a devoted husband, a father of four, a mentor and a charity leader. Through the Wagner Family Foundation, Mr. Wagner has supported literacy initiatives, homeless outreach programs and organizations serving at-risk youth. Additionally, Mr. Wagner never lost his identity nor forgot his roots. In 2005, he founded the Second Chance Learning Center in Bluefield, Virginia, to help provide tutoring and counseling services for local underserved children. A 2008 New York Post story detailed that despite his career taking him far from home, Mr. Wagner was still the same country boy throwing heat against the side of the dairy. As part of his Hall of Fame induction remarks, Mr. Wagner thanked his coaches from Tazewell and Ferrum for their positive impact on his career and life. He also wore a Ferrum College pin and Tazewell County pin on his suit lapel during the ceremony. Most recently, Mr. Wagner joined Ferrum baseball's coaching staff. [[Page E1088]] Anyone from Southwest Virginia who visits Cooperstown, New York, will now get to see one of their own in legendary company. Mr. Wagner defied the odds during a hard-fought journey to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He continues to inspire scores of young athletes and athletic programs in our region. Southwest Virginia is incredibly proud of Mr. Billy Wagner. ____________________