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Monday, November 28, 2011

Former Mets closer Billy Wagner won’t consider Phillies offer

There’s guns across the Delaware River aimin’ at ya

The Phillies were interested in having Billy Wagner come out of retirement next season, but the star closer passed on both returning to baseball and rejoining the Mets’ arch rivals.

Wagner, who retired after a sparkling 2010 with the Braves, told The Post yesterday the Phillies called him directly after the 2011 season ended.

“It was after the regular season ... just to see if I was even contemplating coming back or had an itch or anything,” Wagner said. “I just told them, ‘No, I do not have an itch.’”

...He says he has zero interest in pitching again.

“No, I’m done. I’ve got a major role on a JV baseball team,” Wagner said of his current post at the Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Va. “I’m JV baseball coach.”

Repoz Posted: November 28, 2011 at 02:11 PM | 25 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: phillies

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1. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 28, 2011 at 02:45 PM (#4002098)

I clicked on this thinking someone had revived a three year old thread.

2. The District Attorney Posted: November 28, 2011 at 02:56 PM (#4002100)

I’ve got a major role on a JV baseball team

He's signed with the Mets??

3. TVerik - Dr. Velocity Posted: November 28, 2011 at 02:56 PM (#4002101)

Wagner and Papelbon were teammates on the 2009 Red Sox.

4. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: November 28, 2011 at 03:03 PM (#4002107)

I'm rooting for Marlins or Nats so he can complete the NL East Tour.

5. Anonymous Observer Posted: November 28, 2011 at 04:00 PM (#4002159)

No, I do not have an itch.

That's good. Otherwise, a dermatologist appointment would probably be in order.

6. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: November 28, 2011 at 04:14 PM (#4002176)

Wagner is one of the few guys who truly retired with something left in the tank. He probably could have made another $20 million or so if he came back, assuming he continued to pitch somewhere near his 2010 level, so he must really not want to play anymore.

7. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: November 28, 2011 at 04:33 PM (#4002193)

“I just told them, ‘No, I do not have an itch.’”

That's good, because when a star relief pitcher retires early, we do worry about strange skin conditions.

8. will Posted: November 28, 2011 at 04:55 PM (#4002220)

Given how much star players make, I would expect more to retire "with something left in the tank". I guess playing major league baseball is more fun then most jobs......

9. PreservedFish Posted: November 28, 2011 at 05:19 PM (#4002255)

Given how much star players make, I would expect more to retire "with something left in the tank". I guess playing major league baseball is more fun then most jobs......

I think some players are nervous about being home all summer with nothing to do.

10. cardsfanboy

Posted: November 28, 2011 at 05:30 PM (#4002271)

Given how much star players make, I would expect more to retire "with something left in the tank". I guess playing major league baseball is more fun then most jobs......

I've never understood this line of thought. Most people who play baseball enjoy the game, and you are getting paid tons of money to do a job you love, why would anyone volunteerily retire?

11. Lest we forget Posted: November 28, 2011 at 06:03 PM (#4002306)

I totally get this.

Of course, it's easy for me to totally get this. Why would he retire? Family, family, family. Kids with childhoods he doesn't want to miss any more of. A capable wife he wants to grow with, not grow apart. Same reasons I would retire, if financially able.

Thar - laid it on the table.

Disclaimer: assume he's married with kids

12. Walt Davis Posted: November 28, 2011 at 06:48 PM (#4002356)

A capable wife

Do not go into the greeting card business.

13. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: November 28, 2011 at 07:16 PM (#4002399)

Given how much star players make, I would expect more to retire "with something left in the tank".

Given how much star players make, I would expect few of them to retire early. That's a lot of money to walk away from. Even if you don't need it, you can do a lot with an extra few million dollars.

Then again, I totally understand why someone would do it. Spending significant time away from your loved ones sucks (my wife and I were long-distance for about four years for school/career reasons). If I somehow make $90 million by age 38 I'll probably retire and do something where I get to spend more time with my family, too.

14. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: November 28, 2011 at 07:28 PM (#4002410)

Of course, it's easy for me to totally get this. Why would he retire? Family, family, family. Kids with childhoods he doesn't want to miss any more of. A capable wife he wants to grow with, not grow apart. Same reasons I would retire, if financially able.

Of course, with that kind of money, you can bring the wife and kids with you wherever you go. Compared to most jobs, MLB player can (if they want) spend a tremendous amount of time with their families.

Oct. 5 to ~Feb. 20, you're home full-time. April - Sept., you're home 50% of the time, and ~June 20 to Labor Day, the wife and kids can travel with the team on the road w/o missing school.

15. Hugh Jorgan Posted: November 29, 2011 at 12:24 AM (#4002565)

the wife and kids can travel with the team on the road w/o missing school.

yeah, but the hotel suite is going to get a bit crowded with them, the hookers and the rest of your entourage all milling around....

16. Ebessan Posted: November 29, 2011 at 12:35 AM (#4002570)

Kids gotta learn about road beef eventually.

17. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: November 29, 2011 at 12:59 AM (#4002574)

I think some players are nervous about being home all summer with nothing to do.

God knows Donnie Moore was.

18. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: November 29, 2011 at 01:11 AM (#4002580)

7...that is gross, and frightening.

19. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: November 29, 2011 at 01:15 AM (#4002581)

Of course, with that kind of money, you can bring the wife and kids with you wherever you go. Compared to most jobs, MLB player can (if they want) spend a tremendous amount of time with their families.

They can, but that's quite an imposition on the wife and kids, and assumes they have nothing better to do with their time than follow you around all summer.

20. Tom Cervo, backup catcher Posted: November 29, 2011 at 02:04 AM (#4002605)

“I just told them, ‘No, I do not have an itch.’”

Proving once and for all that Wagner is a pitcher, not a belly itcher.

21. Benji Gil Gamesh VII - The Opt-Out Awakens Posted: November 29, 2011 at 02:16 AM (#4002610)

Do not go into the greeting card business.

Unless it's someecards.

22. valuearbitrageur Posted: November 29, 2011 at 06:08 PM (#4002985)

and ~June 20 to Labor Day, the wife and kids can travel with the team on the road w/o missing school.

My god what an awful hassle this would be.

And my understanding is that clubs don't encourage this. Unless you have it in your contract, they'll stick you in the same room as everyone else. Do you think they'll happily make room for your entire brood on the team plane as well (assuming seats left over after trainers, coaches, management, owners, owners friends, owners family)?

And your kids don't play little league during the summer?

23. Nasty Nate Posted: November 29, 2011 at 06:14 PM (#4002996)

And my understanding is that clubs don't encourage this. Unless you have it in your contract, they'll stick you in the same room as everyone else. Do you think they'll happily make room for your entire brood on the team plane as well (assuming seats left over after trainers, coaches, management, owners, owners friends, owners family)?

They don't have to literally travel with the team. They could have their own flights/hotels etc.

24. valuearbitrageur Posted: November 29, 2011 at 06:26 PM (#4003011)

They don't have to literally travel with the team. They could have their own flights/hotels etc.

Thanks for illustrating my point about the awful mess.

I would never take my family on trips if it meant I traveled separately, worked separately, and just saw them in the hotel for a few hours a day. I would feel guilty forcing my wife to fly and navigate the airport on her own with small kids. I could understand doing it a couple times a season, like when we play in DC so I could take the kids to the monuments and museums, etc. But no more.

25. SoSH U at work Posted: November 29, 2011 at 06:44 PM (#4003033)

I would never take my family on trips if it meant I traveled separately, worked separately, and just saw them in the hotel for a few hours a day. I would feel guilty forcing my wife to fly and navigate the airport on her own with small kids. I could understand doing it a couple times a season, like when we play in DC so I could take the kids to the monuments and museums, etc. But no more.

I agree. Snapper has long argued this as a realisitic option, and I just find the idea absolutely baffling.

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Monday, November 28, 2011

Former Mets closer Billy Wagner won’t consider Phillies offer

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