In electing Wagner, the BBWAA has defined the modern-day closer as its own entity, with candidates’ credentials measured not against the whole of the body but against this specific peer group.

It was a long time coming, but Billy Wagner finally closed it out. And he couldn’t keep the emotions from flowing. The seven-time All-Star, in his final year of eligibility, was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame with 82.5 percent of the vote.

Flamethrowing left-hander Billy Wagner earned his spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, officially getting elected on his 10th and final time on the ballot. He'll go into Cooperstown on July 27 alongside Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia,