Excited to see Billy Wagner don that Red Sox uniform? You're not alone.
Even the 38-year-old lefty himself can't wait to join the team he's had his sights on since lighting up the Cape Cod League as a college prospect in Brewster.
"Really, Boston is a team I always wanted to play for," Wagner told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "I saw my first big league game in Boston when I played for Brewster in the Cape Cod League and I can still see the seat where I sat. It'll be neat to see it when I get there."
Wagner is coming to Boston with a smile on his face but the move from Flushing, NY to Boston hasn't been a smooth one.
When the Red Sox put a claim on him earlier this week, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon made headlines when his comments were misconstrued about the club obtaining the future Hall of Famer. Wagner claims he understood the point Paps was trying to get across.
"I understand exactly what he's talking about," he said. "He's protecting his guys out there. I remember being in a situation in Houston where the same kind of thing happened. But things work out. It's going to be an honor for me to play with these guys. The Red Sox have a great bullpen and I certainly don't want to come in and make it worse. I don't want to be a headache to anyone. I want to make it better."
What he brings to this already deep pen are 385 career saves and a warrior mentality. Highly unlikely to reach that 400 plateau this season with the Sox, Wagner still wants to make his mark in the wild card-leading ball club and into the playoffs.
"It wouldn't be right for me to come in here and say 'I should be closing here,' because that's not the case," he explained. "Boston has one of the best closers in baseball. I just want to come in here and contribute to a World Series championship in any way I can."
With an already deep pen, his role is going to be a lot different than it's been in his long career. But as long as the team's winning and he gets his chance on the hill, that's all that matters to the former Mets and Astros closer.
"After speaking to Tito [manager Terry Francona] and Theo [Epstein], I realize that they'll make sure I'm used the right way and that I can continue to get stronger and stronger," he said. "They've taken the pressure off. I'm a competitive person and the way I was I wanted to pitch everyday, but I know I can't pitch everyday anymore."
Despite the reduced role, Wagner is happy and grateful to be on a winning club. Not many 38-year-olds coming off of Tommy John surgery get a second chance.
"The Red Sox took a leap of faith with me," Wagner said. "They saw me for two innings and they took a chance on me.
