Baseball. New closer Billy Wagner puts underscoring on uncontested influence in first workout with Braves Tomorrow.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - In erstwhile years, Billy Wagner got Bobby Cox’s notoriety by longhand a missive on a baseball and rolling it across the pitch into the Atlanta Braves’ dugout. Cox said Saturday the messages from Wagner would be something as if "‘I’m back, you know.’" "We’ve had Billy in our plans for a party of years but always got pulsation out," Cox said.

Finally, the Braves signed Wagner to a one-year, $7 million deal in December to be the team’s closer this season. The deal includes a $6.5 million clubhouse choice for 2011. Wagner made his recurrence from elbow ligament-replacement surgery ex- termination year and posted a 1.72 ERA in 17 games with the Mets and Red Sox.

The 38-year-old Wagner’s considerable showing convinced the Braves his progressive arm is healthy. He said he was still bothersome to emboss his green set on Saturday when he threw what Cox called a "great" bullpen seating and batting practice. "I felt fine," Wagner said. "I felt all you’re obliged to have the impression when you enlist a unexplored party and you’re vexing to stamp everybody. … I was excited.

" Wagner puts an stress on pre-eminent impressions. He walked into the Braves clubhouse for the flinch of buoyancy training wearing a cowboy hat, boots, jeans and a western shirt. Oh, and he was carrying a football. That’s an enthral that gets noticed. "He has a presence," said catcher Brian McCann of Wagner, who ranks third amidst on the move relievers with 385 vocation saves, trailing Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera.

"His continue speaks for itself and we are favourable to have him on our team." Wagner said throwing a football "strengthens the arm and it helps the grip." Wagner fagged out eight engrossed seasons with Houston and recorded 59 saves in two seasons with Philadelphia before three seasons with the Mets. He has a luck to brave John Franco’s 424 saves, the most by any left-hander.

"I have to have a remarkable year this year to better Franco, and I’ve worked this offseason with the mindset of being able to go this time and hack that," he said. "If I’m able to go out there and discombobulate 40 saves, there’s a great happen the Braves are common to the playoffs." Wagner said his novel teammates would be wise of his shoot stats but would be more involved Saturday to confer with what the budding closer can do in 2010. That’s why Wagner said Saturday’s earliest workout was important.

"Oh yeah, because you just want to impress," he said. "I separate these guys be informed what I’ve done, but it doesn’t upset what I’ve done. It’s what can I do now to serve the team. "They want to see. They’re looking. They’re watching. … You’ve always got to impress, no meaning what your stature is.

" Wagner says he grew up in Virginia cheering for the Braves. "It’s puzzling because everybody back household says ‘Now I can rightly forage for you,’" Wagner said. "It’s a great event just because you discern you grew up watching them. … You be fellow you’ve got that bond.

"Me and Bobby have always joked about me coming over here. Now I have the opportunity. It’s a great feeling." Cox said he was impressed by Wagner and another experienced stranger in the bullpen, 40-year-old Takashi Saito. Cox said Saito will be the victory alternative when Wagner needs a break.

Wagner and Saito supplant Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez as the team’s complete late-inning relievers. NOTES: RHP Luis Valdez, who appeared in three games with Atlanta aftermost season, is still addressing a visa refractory in the Dominican Republic, according to Cox. … Cox was impressed by RHP Jesse Chavez, acquired in the shoppers that sent Rafael Soriano to Tampa Bay.

Cox said he already sees great event to execute the bullpen.

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