Tim Wakefield, the beloved pitcher-turned-broadcaster who helped the Red Sox finish their 86-year championship drought and convey two World Series trophies to Boston, died Sunday, the group introduced. He was solely 57 years outdated.
He and his spouse, Stacy, had each been battling completely different cancers, a truth made public with out their consent by a former teammate simply three days in the past. He is survived by Stacy, son Trevor, and daughter Brianna.
One of baseball’s best and final true knuckleball pitchers, the person affectionately often called “Wake” spent the final 17 seasons of his 19-year MLB profession with the Red Sox. He was a member of 9 postseason groups, and received rings with the membership in 2004 and 2007. At 42 years outdated, he turned a first-time All-Star in 2009, simply two years earlier than his last season. At the time of his retirement, he was the oldest lively Major Leaguer.
Tim Wakefield will probably be remembered for a lot of causes.
His 186 wins are the second-most in franchise historical past (Roger Clemens and Cy Young are tied for first), as are his 2,046 strikeouts. He pitched extra seasons and innings (3,006) and made extra begins (430) than anybody who wore a Red Sox uniform, information unlikely to be damaged; solely Carl Yastrzemski, Dwight Evans, and Ted Williams performed extra years for the group.
As the person who gave up the walk-off residence run to Aaron Boone within the 2003 ALCS, Wakefield endured the final word Red Sox heartbreak. The following October, he helped Boston get their revenge, and his heartbreak rewarded with the best triumph. Scheduled to begin Game 4, he volunteered to eat innings in Game 3 to avoid wasting the remainder of the pitching workers from working what would develop into a 19-8 loss. After falling behind the Yankees three video games to none, the Red Sox received the subsequent 4 (with Wakefield making one other heroic reduction efficiency of three shutout innings in Game 5), turning into the primary group in MLB historical past to finish such a comeback.
That comeback actually started with Wakefield in Game 3, not Kevin Millar’s stroll and Dave Roberts’ pinch-running stolen base in Game 4, their supervisor, Terry Francona at all times stated. That Wakefield received’t be together with his teammates when the Red Sox have a good time the twentieth anniversary of that miraculous postseason subsequent yr is unbearably unhappy.
Following his retirement in February 2012, Wakefield joined NESN as one among their Red Sox studio analysts, a job he continued by this season. During and after his taking part in profession, he was one among baseball’s most philanthropic figures; he was the Red Sox’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee eight instances and received the celebrated accolade in 2010, an achievement he referred to as the best honor of his profession. He was particularly dedicated to a number of kids’s charities and causes, and served because the inaugural Jimmy Fund Red Sox co-captain. When the group ended their 86-year drought in 2004, he introduced the World Series trophy to sufferers on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Above all, Tim Wakefield will probably be remembered for the individual he was: a sort, beneficiant, caring, hardworking, persevering man. It was evident when he performed, when he was on the air, and when he was out on this planet. It’s evident in his passing, and the tributes which are pouring in.
“Tim’s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball,” stated Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry in a written assertion. “He not only captivated us on the field but was the rare athlete whose legacy extended beyond the record books to the countless lives he touched with his warmth and genuine spirit. He had a remarkable ability to uplift, inspire, and connect with others in a way that showed us the true definition of greatness. He embodied the very best of what it means to be a member of the Boston Red Sox and his loss is felt deeply by all of us.”
“It’s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it’s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both,” stated Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “He was a role model on and off the field, giving endlessly to the Red Sox Foundation and being a force for good for everyone he encountered. I felt fortunate to call him a close friend and along with all of us in Red Sox Nation, I know the world was made better because he was in it.”
“I can’t describe what you mean to me and my family, my heart is broken right now because l will never be able to replace a brother and a friend like you,” David Ortiz wrote on Instagram. “Rest and peace my brother.”
“Tim Wakefield was a respected competitor, a generous soul and a beloved member of the baseball community for more than three decades as a player and a broadcaster,” MLBPA govt director (and former Red Sox infielder) Tony Clark stated in a written assertion honoring his 2002 teammate.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tim Wakefield, one of the most unique pitchers of his generation and a key part of the most successful era in the history of the Boston Red Sox,” Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred’s assertion learn. “In 1995, he began a 17-year tenure in Boston, where he made a mark that will be remembered forever.”
The league’s account and several other MLB groups despatched condolences on X as nicely, together with the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates, who drafted Wakefield and with whom he made his Major League debut on July 31, 1992.
“This is heartbreaking news,” Roger Clemens wrote on X (previously Twitter). “A great person, great teammate, and great golfing companion for many of our playing years. I told him many times playing along side of him what a great competitor he is. Hugs to his family and extended family. Miss you pal.”
“Devastating news about Tim Wakefield,” former Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn posted. “I only knew him off the field, but he was a very good guy. Class act. Gentleman. Our thoughts go out to his family and all those who knew and loved him.”
“My heart is broken and I have no words,” Mike Lowell posted on X. “RIP Wake. You were one of the good ones and a great teammate. Red Sox Nation will forever be grateful. Thank you for your friendship.”
“Absolutely heartbroken,” fellow Red Sox player-turned-NESN analyst Will Middlebrooks wrote. “Wake was a good man. This is awful.”
“I’ve worked with Wake for the past 12 years, and had the honor of covering him for 17 seasons before that,” shared Tom Caron. “I’ve never met anyone who loved the Red Sox more, or who better understood how to use the power of sports to help those in need. Absolutely gutted by his loss.”
Kevin Youkilis, within the sales space for the Red Sox’s last recreation of the season, choked again tears as he paid tribute.
“He was a great competitor when he took that mound. He was just a great teammate, and just a great friend,” he stated. “Just glad that I had the chance through the years to be alongside him.
“Today we lost one of the good ones.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com