Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 23, 1993 TAG: 9306230094
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Tuesday, Wagner went to Tazewell High school with his coach at Ferrum College, Abe Naff, and about 100 of Wagner's family and friends to sign a contract to play professional baseball.
The process took since the first week in June and it wore at least one side plumb out.
"Boy I'm tired," Wagner said.
Wagner got what he wanted, even though he said the talks were tougher than he would have liked.
"I think they were trying to get me for as little as possible," he said.
Wagner pitched three years at Ferrum, where he compiled a 17-2 record with a 1.66 ERA. In 173 innings, he struck out 317 batters, a record for Division III pitchers.
Wagner's signing bonus is unknown, but a year ago, first-round draft picks signed for an average of $500,000. Wagner was the 12th choice overall this year.
The bad part for Wagner, if there is one, is that he won't be going to Florida for a week. The Astros were thinking about sending him to their minor league complex there, but decided to dispatch him straight to Auburn of the New York-Penn League, most likely for the rest of the summer.
"I won't start for eight days," said Wagner, who will suit up for Auburn on Thursday. "They figure I can get the same work there as I could in Florida."
Wagner, a reliever in the Cape Cod League and projected as such in the big leagues, will start for Auburn.
"They tell me I'll move up quickly," Wagner said. "But they tell everybody that."
by CNB