Tim Wakefield, the Red Sox’s knuckleballing workhorse who recovered from giving up a game-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 postseason to help Boston break their World Series curse the following year, has passed away. He was 57.
His passing was reported by the Red Sox in a statement on Sunday. Curt Schilling, an ex-teammate who revealed Wakefield’s condition on a podcast last week, said that the player had brain cancer, sparking a wave of sympathy for Wakefield. When an illness was reported at the time, the Red Sox said Wakefield had asked for seclusion but did not provide further details.
Wakefield was originally selected by the Pirates as a first baseman who established college home run records. However, after becoming an expert with the knuckleball in the minor levels, Wakefield changed his position to pitcher. He went on to win 200 games in the major league, including 186 with the Red Sox, placing third in team history after Cy Young and Roger Clemens while relying on the antiquated pitch that had largely fallen out of usage.
However, Wakefield’s involvement in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry in the early 2000s made him a fan favorite whose influence extended well beyond his statistics.
Aaron Boone blasted a walk-off home run on Wakefield’s first pitch in the 11th inning to terminate Boston’s season & extend a World Series drought that dated back to 1918 after New York had recovered to tie Game 7 of the 2003 AL Championship Series.
Wakefield recorded nine strikeouts in Game 5’s extra innings the following October, when the Red Sox’s season was once again on the line against the Yankees in the ALCS, allowing David Ortiz to secure the victory in the 14th inning. In order to win the World Series and their first championship in 86 years, the Red Sox had to finish their comeback from a three-games-to-none deficit.
On the broadcast of the Red Sox game on Sunday, former teammate Kevin Youkilis remarked, “He was a great competitor when he took that mound.” He was simply a fantastic friend and teammate. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work and play beside him over the years, both on the field and in the booth.
In 2007, the Red Sox and Wakefield once again won it all.
At his 2012 retirement press conference, Wakefield admitted that there were times when he wasn’t sure if he would return or not. But I’m very appreciative that I was able to wear this uniform for so long and bring two World Series titles to this wonderful city.
Wakefield, who was 11-3 at the time of his lone All-Star Game appearance in 2009, was the second-oldest player ever to be chosen for his first All-Star Game, after Satchel Paige. When Wakefield recorded his 200th victory in September 2011, he was the oldest player in baseball at 45 and retired his final six batters.
Seven victories shy of matching Clemens and Young’s franchise record for victories, he announced his retirement during the ensuing spring training.
Then, he remarked, “I’m still a competitor, but I think this is ultimately best for the Red Sox.” “I believe that what I’m doing is best for my family. And to be really honest with you, seven victories won’t change who I am or make me a better man. My family therefore requires my presence at home.
Wakefield, who was selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round of the 1988 draft, switched to pitching two years later in an effort to increase his prospects of joining the major leagues. He was called up in the middle of the 1992 campaign, went 8-1, and took third place in the NL Rookie of the Year vote.
In the National League playoffs, he added two complete games, including one in Game 6 to save Pittsburgh. The Atlanta Braves recovered to win on Francisco Cabrera’s single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, winning the game after he had been named the MVP of the Series late in Game 7.
In contrast, Wakefield struggled in his second season in Pittsburgh, going 6-11 with a 5.61 ERA. After a second stint in the minors, the Pirates released him, and the Red Sox signed him six days later.
Wakefield once more put together a string of victories, opening 1995 14-1 and finishing it at 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA. After spending 17 seasons with Boston, he left the team as the all-time leader in innings pitched (3,006), starts (430), games played (430), and strikeouts (430).
He finished 200-180 overall with a 4.41 ERA.
Wakefield was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, given to a baseball player for outstanding sportsmanship and commitment to the community, eight times before winning it in 2010.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement that Tim was “more than just a versatile and dependable All-Star pitcher, a highly esteemed teammate, and a two-time World Series champion,” pointing to “the dedicated work he & his family did supporting the communities of New England.”
Wakefield continued to be involved in the Red Sox charity after retirement and worked as an analyst for Red Sox broadcasts.
Red Sox owner John Henry remarked that Tim’s generosity and unwavering character were equally legendary as his knuckleball. In addition to enthralling us on the field, he was the uncommon athlete whose impact went beyond the record books to the numerous people he touched with his kindness and sincere attitude. He demonstrated the true meaning of greatness by his amazing capacity to uplift, inspire, and connect with people. His passing is felt keenly by all of us because he personified the greatest aspects of being a Boston Red Sox fan.