Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 4, 1993 TAG: 9306040234
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On Wednesday, he played volleyball. Then, he played basketball.
After shooting some hoops, he headed to Wolf Creek Country Club to play 18 holes of golf. On the front nine, he fired a 46; on the back side, he and his partner played best-ball.
By 12:30 a.m. he was sacked out. Slept great. On Thursday, he was up at a reasonable hour. Late in the morning, he went out and shot some more hoops.
Then, he took a seat at the Jack Lamie house in Tannersville, where Wagner lives, and waited for the phone to ring.
Baseball's amateur draft started at 1 p.m. Thursday. The word was Wagner would go in the first round, probably among the first 15 picks.
But you never know until that phone rings.
Wagner didn't have to wait long. Within the first hour of the draft, Houston Astros scout Brian Granger was on the phone.
Granger told Wagner he was happy to inform him that he had been drafted by the National League club with the 12th pick overall.
The choice of Wagner came right after Cleveland took California-Riverside right-hander Daron Kirkreit. Matt Drews, another right-handed pitcher, went to the New York Yankees with the 13th choice.
Nelson Metheney, a former Salem High School pitcher, was selected in the ninth round by Philadelphia.
"I figured it would be them or the Yankees," said Metheney, who was drafted out of Clinch Valley College. "They were the two that showed the most interest."
Phillies scout Jerry Jordan of Wise was to meet with the Metheney family Thursday night to discuss a contract. Metheney did not sign.
"I expect I'll know more tomorrow," he said.
Virginia Tech's Dee Dalton, a former Timesland player of the year at Cave Spring High School, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals.
"The scout [Scott Nichols] told me I was taken in the 15th or 16th round, he wasn't sure which," said Dalton, a shortstop who hit better than .300 with 14 home runs for the Hokies this season. "The team that chose me is fine, but I'm a little bit disappointed with where I was taken."
Dalton said he expects to hear from Nichols soon about a contract meeting.
"I'm going to listen to what they have to say, then decide whether I'll sign," Dalton said.
Wagner was the second player taken from the state of Virginia. Philadelphia used the fourth pick to take Wayne Gomes, the Old Dominion University right-hander who, like Wagner, is expected to be groomed as a short reliever.
Gomes was the first player from Virginia chosen as a top-five pick since James Madison High School's Jay Franklin was taken by the San Diego Padres in 1971.
Philadelphia had sent a doctor to examine Gomes a week ago after there were reports the pitcher had shoulder tenderness a year ago.
"Wayne checked out fine," said Mike Arbuckle, the Phillies' scouting director.
Gomes fanned 55 in 26 2/3 innings this year for the Monarchs.
Wagner was just settling down after a flurry of calls Thursday.
"I'm excited," Wagner said. "And I'm tired now."
Along with Wagner's family, Ferrum coach Abe Naff was on hand. The phone started ringing again shortly after Wagner was through with Granger. The media, well-wishers, that sort of thing.
Wagner had predicted earlier this week that while he awaited word on his fate, "I'll be bouncing off the walls."
So, it was just as well that the word came quickly. After all, bumping into things can get a fellow hurt.
Wagner can't afford that. A year ago, first-round draft picks signed for an average bonus of about $500,000.
Granger, who scouts a territory that includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, didn't tell Wagner what his immediate plans were. It is safe to assume, however, that he will be traveling to Tazewell County soon with pen and contract in hand.
Wagner hasn't said what it will take to sign him other than, "All I want is what's fair."
by CNB