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.

The trio of stars, each of whom spent part of their career in New York, will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 27.

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,