MLB.com

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Billy Wagner winds up during Monday's game against the Yankees. (Kathy Willens/AP)

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- One pitch into his debut as the Phillies closer, Billy Wagner became introduced to the sharp wit of the Phillies faithful.

He had just trotted in from the bullpen to the William Tell Overture, better known as the theme for The Lone Ranger. He stared into Mike Lieberthal's glove and officially began his Phillies career with a fastball to opposing pitcher Kevin Brown.

Roughly five seconds later, Brown made Wagner's face turn red, when he sent a homer just in front of the Tiki Bar in left field. It was a rather inauspicious beginning for the prized offseason acquisition.

"I was like, 'Are you kidding me?'" Wagner said, after the Phillies' 12-3 loss to the Yankees. "I'm surprised (general manager) Ed Wade isn't down here going, 'What the hell did we pick up?' You want to impress in your debut, show the fans and organization that they made a good choice. Then you come out there and throw a 400-foot home run to Kevin Brown. That's not very good."

As Brown roared into second, Wagner shook his head and broke into a wide smile, thanks to a heckling fan.

"There's a guy hollering, 'I thought we got rid of (Jose) Mesa.' I started laughing because I really don't give a damn what they say about me. What can I do? I can't get ticked off because I've still got to pitch. I don't know if (manager Larry) Bowa is ticked. I'm guessing he is."

Billy Wagner   /   P
	Height: 5'11" Weight: 180 Bats/Throws: L/L More info: Player page Stats Splits Phillies site

So were you ticked, Larry?

"Am I mad?" said Bowa, with a laugh. "No, I was doing back flips because he was back on the mound. It's not time to be mad in March."

Ah yes. March. That time of year when a home run to the opposing pitcher can make a fireballing closer -- who also happens to be one of the more intense competitors on the planet -- break a smile. And Brown, who also would take honors for tightly wound individuals, had this to say:

"You know the story of the blind squirrel?" he asked. "Well, meet Mr. Blind Squirrel."

Things didn't get much better for Wagner after Brown circled the bases. He allowed a double to Bubba Crosby, and a single to Derek Jeter to set up first and third with no outs. He had been running on adrenaline, but could feel himself starting to pitch better.

He fanned Alex Rodriguez, got Jason Giambi on a liner to short -- helped by a nice leap by Jimmy Rollins -- and retired Gary Sheffield on a grounder to short. Monday's result was certainly different than the last time Wagner saw the Yankees, when he pitched the sixth leg of a no-hitter.

"I got the good hitters out," he said. "I didn't expect to be perfect, but I expected to have better control. I've got to get the fastball in shape when I come out of the bullpen. That's where the couple of weeks (layoff) maybe hurt a bit. The one thing I can do is work on control and location."

On Monday, Wagner couldn't wait to get into a game and face hitters on a different team. Every time the bullpen phone rang, he jumped. Roberto Hernandez relieved Kevin Millwood for the third inning, then it was finally Wagner's turn.

Wagner is very aware of his importance to this organization, and the problems his predecessor had in the role. The Phillies bullpen saved 33 games last season, and Wagner had more than that in each of his previous three seasons. When Mesa entered a game last season, opponents licked their chops. When Wagner did it for the Astros, the game usually ended three outs later.

"I know that if your closer struggles, your team struggles," Wagner said. "You have to win those close ones. I don't think I'm any better (than Mesa), but I think I bring consistency and confidence that the team lacked last year."

Save for today, Wagner's teammates were thrilled to see him back on the mound. During last week's throwing session, several of them stopped to watch. And as long as he doesn't face pitchers, Wagner should return to his dominant self. His next outing is scheduled for Thursday.