FULL CEREMONY: Astros retire Hall of Famer Billy Wagner’s number!

FULL CEREMONY: Astros retire Hall of Famer Billy Wagner’s number!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the field where tonight we’re happy to be joined by the voice of the Astros for nearly 30 years witnessing many memorable moments in Billy Wagner’s career. Please give a warm welcome to Bill Brown. Thank you very much, Bob. You’re the best. And thank you to everybody in attendance here this evening. It is a special night. We’re here to honor the incredible Hall of Fame career of number 13, Billy Wagner. Billy left such a mark on this franchise. He was one of the most feared and dominant closers in Major League Baseball history. He set several single season and all-time franchise records along the way. His 225 saves are the most in franchise history. [Applause] To get things started, I would like to welcome and introduce our guests joining us on the field, beginning with Billy’s family. Please help us welcome his wife Sarah and their children Jeremy, Olivia, and Kase. [Applause] And we have a special guest on stage who has joined us in honoring Billy Astro’s executive vice president of marketing and communications, Anita Sagle, right down here. Next, please join us in welcoming two legendary Astros and fellow members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. First, he made his debut with the Astros and was the first Astro to win rookie of the year in 1991. Please welcome Billy’s former teammate from the Hall of Fame class of 2017, Jeff Bagwell. Next, he also made his debut with the Astros and was the ninth player in MLB history to join the 30,000 hit club. Please welcome Billy’s former teammate from the Hall of Fame class of 2015, Greg. Help me out, Vio. [Applause] Also joining us on the field today, we’d like to welcome a few of our Astros Hall of Fame members from the 2019 class, the slick fielding third baseman and power hitter Bob Espermani right there. One of your all-time favorites, outfielder Jose Ru, manager and great pitcher. Larry Durker from the 2020 class. Lance Burkeman from the 2022 class. Terry Pool right here. Members of our Astros Hall of Fame advisory committee made up of former Astros players, current front office staff, current media members, and baseball historians. Right here they are. Billy Wagner was one of the most dominant and hardest throwing closers in Major League history during his 16 seasons. A seventime all-star, Wagner’s 2.31 career erra ranks second among Hall of Fame relievers. His 85.9 career save percentage ranks third, and his 422 career saves ranks fourth. Billy also owns the best erra, whip, and strikeout rate of any left-handed reliever ever. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, please join me in welcoming the newest member to be enshrined into Coopertown as a member of the Houston Astros, number 13, Billy Wagner. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] It was much easier in the night than standing here today. [Applause] I’d like to begin this by thanking my my Lord and Savior. This is an unbelievable blessing that I have been blessed with. Um, simply in awe right now. I really am. I’ve got this speech written out and I’m I’m stumbling. I’m sorry. Standing here today looking out at at the field, you fans and this great city has been such a huge part of my family’s life. It’s almost impossible to put into words the gratitude. To have my number retired by the Houston Astros is the ultimate honor. I never could have ever dreamed of when I was a kid that this would happen. Just standing in the backyard thinking I would be a Hall of Famer and I’d also have my number retired. There’s a lot of thank yous to go around, but uh to the fans, the greatest fans, Astro fans. You’ve been with me through every pitch, every save, every high, every low. You filled the stadiums with energy and made Houston feel like home to a Virginia kid. You didn’t just cheer when things went well, but they did most often. You stayed with me when I had to grind for every out. That kind of loyalty is rare, and I will always carry it with me. Thank you, Houston. I do want to take a minute to thank the greatest teammates that uh a closer could have. Baggie, thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and show me how to be a professional every day. Biz, you were a heartbeat of this club. You taught me the value of consistency, preparation, and playing the game the right way. You guys weren’t just Hall of Famers, you were Hall of Fame people. Thank you. [Music] I’d also like to thank Drayton Mlan for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be part of this organization. Jim Crane, I’d like to thank you and your staff for welcoming me and my family back into the Astro family. Your commitment to honoring the past while building the future means so much to all of us former players, to my family. This would not be possible without you. share. You stood beside me through the long seasons, the road trips, the late nights. Your love and support carried me more than you’ll ever know. I love you. To my kids, you give me perspective and remind me that baseball is part of life, but not all of it. You’re my greatest joy. I love you. When I think back on my time here, it’s not just the big saves or the playoff games I remember. It’s the people. The clubhouse conversations, the shared meals on the road, the fans waiting for autographs in the summer heat, and the friendships that will last far beyond baseball. Tonight isn’t just about a number on the wall. It’s about the journey, the people, and the city that made it all possible. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me represent Houston, for believing in me and making this kid from Virginia feel like one of your own. Thank you, Houston. I’ll carry you with me forever. Thank you again, Billy Wagner. Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate the historic accomplishments of Billy and his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his number 13 will now join other Astros legends like Jim Umbreight, Don Wilson, Jose Cruz, Mike Scott, Nolan Ryan, Larry Durker, Jimmy Wyn, Jeff Bagwell, and Craig Bio. Now, please turn your attention to the top of the video board where Billy’s number 13 will officially be retired and cemented into Astros history forever. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Ladies and gentlemen, once again, please help me congratulate Billy Wagner for his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, class of 2025. [Music] On behalf of the Houston Astros and our great partner, Houston Methodist, we hope you enjoyed tonight’s ceremony. Thank you and enjoy the game. [Applause] [Music] I’m ready. [Music]

The Houston Astros honor Hall of Famer Billy Wagner in a number retirement ceremony at Daikin Park on August 16, 2025.

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