shortly before the season, wagner retired. starting to panic, owner barney dreyfuss offered him $10,000, making him the highest paid pirate for many years. he returned to the pirates early in the 1908 season, and finished two home runs short of the league's triple crown, leading the league in hitting (for the sixth time)‚ hits‚ total bases‚ doubles‚ triples‚ rbi‚ and stolen bases. wagner took over the batting lead from the new york giants' flamboyant outfielder mike donlin during a july 25 game against the giants and their star pitcher christy mathewson. wagner was 5-for-5 in the game; after each hit, he reportedly held up another finger to donlin, who went hitless, and who had just beaten runner-up wagner by a wide margin in a "most popular player" poll.