You aren't just now finding this out, are you? That was one trade I was ecstatic to see happen because it got Wags the hell out of the Central.
I've known. Go back in the archives of posts and you'll find my praise of the deal. But its one thing to read up on a pitcher, and another to see it in person. In Philly we're used to seeing Jose Mesa. He'd come in. Throw the ball. Maybe its a strike, maybe not. If we were lucky, he wouldn't blow it and the Phillies would win. Wagner comes in, no nonsense. 100 fucking MPH. And STRIKES. The fans aren't watching Wagner. They're watching the scoreboard to see if its 100 MPH, or merely 99. The opposing batters don't have a damn chance. I love it.
That why I like Braden Looper as the Mets' closer now. No nonsense. It definetely beats Benitez and Franco. Now for the rest of that horrific bullpen.