Billy Wagner never let others define him

Billy Wagner still remembers the Yankees scout who told him the Bronx Bombers didn’t draft pitchers shorter than 6 feet. The fireballing lefthander never forgot that slight.

As Wagner became one of the best closer in baseball history, he accomplished one of the greatest feats of his career at Yankee Stadium. He closed out the first six-pitcher no-hitter in baseball history on June 11, 2003, for the Astros against the Yankees.

Shortly after that night’s game, he called his old college coach with a message for that scout. Billy Wagner now delivers his powerful messages to young athletes as a coach.

Billy Wagner’s support on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot continues to trend toward eventual induction. He discussed his Hall of Fame candidacy, his career, the six-pitcher no-hitter and his upbringing on the third episode of Digging Deep with Russ Ortiz and Jesus Ortiz.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Stitcher / Spotify / Amazon