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Billy Wagner came thisclose to reaching the necessary 75 percent of the votes for induction into the Hall of Fame last year.
But he came up just short.
It was unfortunate because Wagner deserved to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
The hard-throwing left-handed relief pitcher is only one of seven pitchers in history to record double-digit seasons of 25 or more saves. In addition, Wagner is one of six pitchers to accumulate more than 1,000 strikeouts in less than 1,000 innings.
The seven-time All-Star was stellar for so long with the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies.
Wagner compiled 422 saves in a 16-year career which also included stops with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves.
Wagner ranks sixth all-time in saves behind Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodriguez (437) and John Franco (424). Wagner earned 225 saves in nine seasons with the Astros and 59 saves in two seasons with the Phillies.
Through the years, Wagner wasn’t always the most affable player on or off the field. He would give interviews and often say outlandish things.
But when it came time to close out a game, he was scintillating. Hitters feared him.
That's one of the reasons why so many others already inducted have come out in support of the dominant lefty. Players know who can play and who can't.
Wagner performed at such a high level for so long that he deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
No question about it.
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White Sox release former All-Star pitcher
The White Sox have released right-handers Noah Syndergaard and Penn Murfee. Syndergaard’s release was announced on Sunday, while Murfee’s MLB.com profile page indicates he was let go on Friday. Syndergaard signed a minor league deal with Chicago in late June, which marked his first contract with any team since he was released by the Guardians in August 2023. Despite some interest from teams during the 2023-24 offseason, Syndergaard ended up not pitching anywhere in 2024, so the Sox started him off with some rookie ball outings just to get acclimated back to game action before reporting to Triple-A Charlotte. Syndergaard had a 2.93 ERA over his 15 1/3 frames of Rookie League work, but then was hit hard for a 10.13 ERA over two outings and eight innings at the Triple-A level. The ugly numbers in Charlotte included only two strikeouts and a rather incredible five homers allowed. While eight innings is obviously a small sample size, it was enough for the White Sox to decide to move on from Syndergaard, putting the former All-Star at yet another career crossroads. Syndergaard turns 33 later this month, and it is fair to wonder if retirement could be a possibility. Despite his past pedigree, the amount of time it took for him to land even a minor league contract could indicate that evaluators simply doubt he can ever regain any of his past effectiveness. A frontline member of the Mets’ pitching staff during his prime years, Syndergaard has never really recovered from a Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for virtually all of the 2020-21 season. He pitched decently well in posting a 3.94 ERA over 134 2/3 innings for the Angels and Phillies in 2022, but rather than approach his old form or at least settle in at a mid-rotation arm, Syndergaard regressed in the form of a 6.50 ERA in 88 2/3 frames with the Dodgers and Guardians in 2023. Murfee is another pitcher whose career was interrupted by a major arm injury. After posting a 2.70 ERA for the Mariners in his first 83 1/3 career big league innings, he underwent UCL surgery in June 2023, and some elbow discomfort kept him from making his return late in the 2024 season as a member of the Astros. The White Sox claimed Murfee off waivers from Houston last November, marking the fourth time in a 13-month period that the right-hander had changed teams on the waiver wire. Murfee made his return to the Show in the form of 12 2/3 innings of 7.82 ball for the White Sox earlier this season. Chicago outrighted the hurler to Triple-A in early May, and while Murfee had a respectable 4.09 ERA over 22 innings for Charlotte, he has recorded more walks (18) than strikeouts (16).
Knee operation: Kirby Dach not yet back on his feet
Two years ago to the day, Canadiens fans were optimistic about Kirby Dach’s future in Montreal: the 6’4 forward had just collected 38 points in 58 games – in his first campaign in Quebec – and many wondered whether Dach had a better chance of establishing himself as a first NHL center than captain Nick Suzuki. The past 730 days have proven otherwise, but that’s not the point this morning. Since joining the Canadiens, Dach has earned a reputation as a fragile player. Virus, shoulder, upper body (concussion?), lower body, knee(ACL and MCL), knee again… Let’s just say that injuries haven’t spared Dach since he arrived in Montreal. In fact, injuries haven’t spared Dach since he started playing hockey. He has never played more than 70 games in a single season, and has only broken the 60-game barrier three times in nine junior or pro seasons. Last February, Dach underwent a second operation on his right knee in the space of 18 months. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes may tell us that Kirby Dach is fine,but we still have our doubts. Especially whenyou consider that, with the Canadiens’ recent additions and departures, Kirby Dach is still the team’s second center on the organizational chart. content-ads]Last week, I wondered where Kirby was ? We’ve seen plenty of Habs players skating at the CN Complex this summer, but not Kirby Dach. And I had to work like a monk to catch a glimpse of him in a video filmed at Nick Suzuki’s wedding! Yesterday, I was told that Kirby Dach was spending the summer in Edmonton with Kaiden Guhle – Dach is from Saskatchewan and Guhle is from Alberta – and that Dach was still in rehab. I repeat: five months after his most recent knee operation and some 40 days before the start of practice camp, Kirby Dach is still not recovered and ready to play. Good informants spotted him in an Edmonton gym doing squats with loads that look like the ones I used to take when I went to Econofitness, not the ones an NHL player uses [content-ads]This explains it: when he came to Montreal for his captain’s wedding, Kirby Dach couldn’t – or wouldn’t – skate with his teammates in Brossard. It’s worth noting that Dach is also very quiet on social networks – his last post was in November 2024 – probably in an effort to be forgotten… to go unnoticed. Spending the summer in Alberta, rather than in Montreal (with his chums at Osheaga), makes sense, when you think about it…Let’s just say that the chances of Dach starting his season at the same time as everyone else in two months’ time are pretty slim, which is cause for concern for those hoping to see the Canadiens in the playoffs in 2026. Yes, the Kirby Dach problem would be solved if a guy like Mason MacTavish-good offensively, defensively, physically and in the face-off circle-came to Montreal, but let’s just say that the odds of that happening this summer are very low. And you can’t make plans with very improbable things![spacer title=’Prolongation’]Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured last winter while throwing down the gloves at the 4 Nations tournament, underwent surgery last month (hernia and adductor). According to the latest information from Elliotte Friedman, Tkachuk could return to action just before the Olympic Games. Let’s hope Kirby Dach doesn’t have to wait as long as Tkachuk.
Rams share worrisome Matthew Stafford update ahead of preseason opener
Los Angeles Rams veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a "week-to-week" designation throughout training camp as he deals with lingering back soreness. According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop and Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Sunday that Stafford won't participate in Monday's jog-through practice. "He’ll be doing a workout on his own during that time period," McVay said. "He is able to do a little bit more, which is good, and things are progressing well, but he won’t take part in the jog-through because he’ll be doing some other stuff." Stafford also won't take part in Los Angeles' joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. Barshop noted that 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV, who has never taken a meaningful snap as a pro, "is expected to start for the Rams" in the team's preseason opener against Dallas this coming Saturday. It's unclear if Stafford will be available for the Rams' joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 13. The Rams play the Chargers on Aug. 16 and then end the preseason with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 23. "It’s static throwing," McVay said about what Stafford will do on Monday. "It’s some of the unloaded running on the treadmill. Sometimes it might even be walking. He’s able to do a little lighter cardio and able to do some good core work. It’s more just functional strength surrounding the area, making sure you don’t do anything to set yourself back based on the trajectory he’s doing. We are looking forward to getting him and easing him back into football, hopefully in the near future." It's no secret that the Rams at least considered trading Stafford to either the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders after he turned 37 years old this past February. While the Rams worked out an agreement to keep Stafford as their QB1, the club could part ways with him next offseason if his body betrays him or he looks like a player past his physical prime during the upcoming campaign. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams sixth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. Such information suggests Los Angeles may want to consider looking for an upgrade over current backup signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, who hasn't shown he can be a winning QB1 with any regularity since the 2022 season.
Reporter predicts how Commanders will handle Terry McLaurin trade request
The Washington Commanders are dealing with some unwanted drama as they look to build on last season's trip to the NFC Championship Game after star wide receiver Terry McLaurin requested a trade. ESPN's Bill Barnwell said that he felt the "most likely scenario" regarding the trade request is that the Commanders will have McLaurin in the lineup for their Week 1 game against the New York Giants on Sept. 7. On Monday morning, Commanders reporter Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic predicted that "the Commanders will keep McLaurin" despite the drama. "They can’t take away their star quarterback’s go-to receiver in a year when they’ve clearly gone all in to try to compete with the Eagles," Jhabvala wrote. "They don’t have much depth at receiver; Deebo Samuel isn’t a true No. 2 in workload, let alone a No. 1, and the only other proven receiver on the roster is Noah Brown, who is quite good but has a lengthy injury history." McLaurin emerged as the favorite target for quarterback Jayden Daniels as Daniels became the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year amid the run to the NFC title game, where Washington fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles. According to ESPN stats, McLaurin ended the 2024 regular season with team highs of 117 targets, 82 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards. He was also second in the entire NFL with 13 touchdown catches. It remains to be seen if McLaurin will accept less money than DK Metcalf, who received a five-year, $150M deal after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for him in March. Metcalf will turn 28 years old in December. "The Commanders also know they have much more leverage than McLaurin in his contract dispute," Jhabvala added. "He’ll be 30 in September, which means he’ll be 31 in the first season of an extension. It also means that holding out regular-season games could be career-ending. So, a deal will get done. There’s still time." As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Washington sixth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Super Bowl LX. The fact that those odds haven't shifted would seem to indicate that insiders believe the Commanders will make McLaurin happy before they face the Giants on the opening Sunday of September.
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