Phillies Nation

Billy Wagner Gets Steamed In Exhibition Game

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, February 27, 2008 12:00 AM

Since we all love a good Billy Wagner anger-trip story, David Lennon of Newsday has this unbelievable moment from the Mets game against the University of Michigan:

Billy Wagner nearly started a beanball war with the University of Michigan after one overzealous Wolverine tried to bunt on him in the fourth inning. With a runner on second and one out, centerfielder Kevin Cislo pushed his bunt foul.

Wagner, clearly annoyed, shook his head a number of times, and Cislo wisely swung away, grounding out. Wagner said he couldn’t believe that Cislo, a junior, bunted.

“If he got that bunt down, I would have drilled the next guy,” Wagner said. “Play to win against Villanova.”

I could say a number of things. I mean, the Wolverines here are playing to win — they’re playing the Mets! It’s a competitive game for these guys — a game most of them (who won’t make the show) will never forget. So he bunted, Billy, run a little bit, go for the ball, toss it to first. I could say that (I just did). Or I could point out the interesting option Wagner took of mentioning Villanova. That seems weird. Or I could quote the great Harry Doyle, who told us The Duke in “Major League” threw at his kid in a father-son game. But let me back you up to Friday, when Wagner railed on the “young” Phillies:

“If one of their little 25-year-olds wants to come out and whip my ass, they can brag that they whipped a 37-year-old man’s ass. Well, good for them. It’s always good to play that underdog role.”

Obviously, Wagner has a real problem with young adults. I wonder if he hates Facebook, iPods and the new NBC series “Quarterlife.” Just more bait to throw at the rat when he steps foot in Philadelphia April 18.

By the way, the Wolverines played to win, and the Mets played to tie. Final score: 4-4.

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