Emperor Wen of Sui China

. Pitching the final inning of a combined no-hitter against the Yankees, Wagner struck out Jorge Posada and Bubba Trammell, then got Hideki Matsui to ground out to first base where Wagner, who was covering, pumped his fist as the final piece of instant baseball history was engraved at Yankee Stadium (June 11, 2003).
. In a ten-year career, Wagner has compiled a 34-30 record with 753 strikeouts, a 2.52 ERA, and 246 saves in 552.2 innings. However, some people believe he died of illness. This and many other miscues in the Phillies organization led to the dismissal of manager Larry Bowa after a preseason full of hopefuls and expectations dissolved from the ticket window by August. Wen-ti is usually thought to have been strangled at the hands of the prince, who had been stripped of his title after being caught raping one of Wen-ti's concubines. He was traded to Philadelphia before the 2004 season, only to have his campaign succumb to a strain in his throwing shoulder.

Another project of his time was the improvement and expansion of the Great Wall. Then, he enjoyed his best season in 2003, when he reached career-highs in saves (44), innings pitched (86.0) and games (78), and got 105 strikeouts. It was completed in the reign of his son, Yang-ti. In 2002, Wagner went 4-2 with a 2.52 ERA, 88 strikeouts, and 35 saves in 75 innings. This huge project had the purpose of uniting northern and southern China with improved transport. In 62.2 innings, he struck out 79 hitters. Wen-ti saw the beginning of the construction of the Grand Canal. He was one of the leading candidates for TSN Comeback Player of the Year in the National League.

Taxes on farmers and merchants were relaxed, as well, and overall the period became very agriculturally productive. Coming off elbow surgery, he posted a record of 2-5 with 39 saves in 41 chances, and an ERA of 2.73. However, existing landholders were allowed to keep their property, and land could not be sold off, only farmed. He would rebound in 2001. In this reign, the land-equilization system was created, distributing land equally based on household size, with more land for larger families. He finished with 2-4 record, a 6.18 ERA, and six saves in 15 opportunities, striking out 28 and walking 18 in 27.2 innings. Capable officials from the south were welcomed to join his government. Wagner would continue to struggle before going on the disabled with a torn flexor tendon in his pitching arm and would miss the final three and a half months of the season.

Elite-class privileges, which had long been part of the social system in the northern dynasties, fell. While he was still hitting 100-MPH on the radar gun, he wasn't throwing his 85-90 MPH slider as much as he used to. Political officials became qualified based on merit rather than blood, and imperial examinations were instituted. But after recording a save on May 4 against the Cubs, he suffered back-to-back blown saves on May 12-13 versus the Reds. Wen-ti took steps to breach the social gap between rich and poor, and to reduce corruption and encourage union of Chinese states. The 2000 season started off in typical fashion for Wagner, who saved three of the Astros' first four wins while retiring 16 of the first 20 batters he faced. He established a more efficient two-body government to replace the existing three-tier system, and created three departments and six ministries for state supervision. Wagner posted a 4-1 record with an ERA of 1.57, and actually had more saves than hits allowed (in 74.2 innings, he allowed 35 hits).

His first accomplishment was to consolidate governmental administration and centralize the political system. He saved 39 games and struck out 124 in only 74 innings (15 SO/9), establishing a new major league record for strikeouts in at least 50 innings, including the side 15 times. Before invading, he distributed propaganda flyers in the south, declaring that the Chen ruler had lost the Mandate of Heaven because of his decadent rule, which eased the conquest of the south. Wagner had an outstanding 1999 season, in which he captured the Relief Man of the Year Award in the National League. He invaded the Chen Dynasty in the south to reunite northern and southern China. After working three games, he was recalled on August 6 and remained healthy for the rest of the season. After seizing the throne, Wen-ti declared himself the rightful possessor of the Mandate of Heaven. Wagner worked on balanced and coordination exercises before being cleared by doctors to go a rehab assignment in the minors.

He seized the throne for himself, establishing the new Sui dynasty. The next day, he returned to Houston and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Wen-ti became the regent for the six-year old boy and killed off various rivals. He was removed from the field on a stretcher after suffering a concussion and spent the night at a Phoenix hospital. When the heir to the Northern Zhou throne died an untimely death, the next heir became Wen-ti's grandson through his daughter's marriage to the deceased heir. Wagner was alert and conscious on the ground as his vital signs remained good. As a Turkic-Chinese military official in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Wen-ti seized power in 581. On July 15, while trying to hold on to a 8-7 lead against Arizona, he was struck on the left side of his head behind the ear by a line drive off the bat of Kelly Stinnett.

As a Buddhist, he encouraged the spread of Buddhism through the state; however, his government officially supported Confucianism. He converted 19 consecutive save opportunities between his first blown save against the Dodgers (April 12) and his second facing the Cardinals (July 11). He was a hard-working administrator and a micromanager. In 1998, Wagner posted a 4-3 record with a 2.70 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 60 innings, and saved 30 games, which was the third best single season in club history. Emperor Wen of Sui China (541-604), also Yang Jian, Yang Chien, and Sui Wen-ti (posthumous name), was the founder and first emperor of China's Sui Dynasty. He struck out the side 13 times, and his 106 strikeouts also set a club record for relievers. He converted 23 of 29 save opportunities while striking out 106 hitters in only 66.1 innings, which established a major league record for SO/9 at 14.4, breaking the old mark of 14.1 set by former Reds closer Rob Dibble in 1992 (110 SO in 70.1 innings).

In 1997 Wagner played his first full season in the majors. Opponents hit only .165 against him. He finished the year with nine saves in 13 opportunities, allowed only 28 hits and struck out 67 hitters in 51.2 innings (11.7 SO/9). His contract was purchased by the Astros on June 2, and Wagner was immediately converted to a reliever.

He posted a 6-2 record with a 3.28 ERA in twelve starts for Triple-A Tucson. Wagner began 1996 in the minors as a starter and finished it by becoming a major league closer. It was his only appearance in this season. He made his major league debut on September 12, 1995, retiring the only batter he faced in a 10-5 defeat against the Mets.

Wagner was taken in the first round of the June 1993 MLB draft by the Houston Astros and was used exclusively as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues. Wagner was inducted into the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall Of Fame in Salem, Virginia, in February of 2003. Wagner attended Ferrum College and went 17-3 there, while setting single season NCAA records for strikeouts per nine innings (19.1 in 1992) and fewest hits per nine innings allowed (1.58 in 1992), and holds the Division III mark for career strikeouts (327 in 182.1 innings pitched). As a youth, he was a natural right-handed pitcher, but after breaking his throwing arm twice, he taught himself how to use his left arm by throwing nothing but fastballs against a barn wall.

Wagner is a highly regarded closer in the fact that he routinely throws triple digit fastballs which is rather unusual for his 5'11", 195 lb frame. He bats and throws left-handed. Previously, Wagner played with the Houston Astros (1995-2003). William Edward (Billy) Wagner (born July 25, 1971 in Tannersville, Virginia) is an American Major League Baseball closer for the Philadelphia Phillies (2004-present).

Led league in games finished (2003). Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (1999). 4-time All-Star (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005).