Atlanta Braves Closer Billy Wagner To Retire from MLB After 2010

Billy Wagner was able to secure a $6.5 million guarantee for next year as he closed his 50th game and recorded his 30th save. But the former Phillies and Mets closer has decided to ride off into the sunset after the 2010 season.

Retirement will be the next step in the career of one of baseball's hardest throwers. This is the latest that he has told Dan O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitutional.

The money is being waved in his face, but as a surprise to many he is saying no.

The Braves are going to need to make several moves for next year as they are looking at a possible loss of a manager and several key players. Chipper Jones was on the verge of retiring but it looks like he's pulling a Brett Favre and needs to have a storybook ending to his career.

Wagner is looking amazing this season with a sub-2 ERA and 30 saves. Whatever Mets fans thought he was done were wrong. He started to show his age with the Red Sox, but the Braves took a risk with him and it looks like it has paid off.

Family is the main reason that Wagner has decided to call it quits. Players get to that point where they realize what is great in life and look to sacrifice their careers for that. Wagner has come to that point. 

Bobby Cox has asked several times how definite this decision is. Wagner has assured that the two will retire together.