BOSTON — Tim Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching body of workers who bounced again after giving up a season-ending house run to the Yankees within the 2003 playoffs to assist Boston win its curse-busting World Series name the next yr, has died. He used to be 57.
The Red Sox introduced his loss of life in a observation Sunday. Wakefield had mind most cancers, in line with ex-teammate Curt Schilling, who outed the sickness on a podcast closing week — drawing an outpouring of toughen for Wakefield. The Red Sox showed an sickness at the time however didn’t elaborate, pronouncing Wakefield had asked privateness.
Drafted by way of the Pirates as a primary baseman who set house run information in school, Wakefield transformed to a tumbler after mastering the knuckleball within the minor leagues. Relying at the old-timey pitch that had in large part fallen into disuse, he went directly to win 200 main league video games, together with 186 with the Red Sox — in the back of most effective Cy Young and Roger Clemens in franchise historical past.
But it used to be his position within the Red Sox-Yankees competition of the early 2000s that became Wakefield right into a fan favourite whose affect went a long way past his numbers.
After New York rallied to tie Game 7 of the ’03 AL Championship Series, Wakefield got here on in reduction within the eleventh inning and Aaron Boone hit his first pitch for a walkoff house run to finish Boston’s season and lengthen a World Series drought that stretched again to 1918.
The following October, with the Red Sox season once more at chance towards the Yankees within the ALCS, Wakefield were given 9 outs in additional innings of Game 5, putting in place David Ortiz to win it within the 14th. The Red Sox went on to finish their comeback from a three-games-to-none deficit and then sweep St. (*57*) within the World Series to say their first championship in 86 years.
“He was a great competitor when he took that mound,” former teammate Kevin Youkilis mentioned at the broadcast of Sunday’s Red Sox sport. “He was just a great teammate and just a great friend. Had the luxury of playing with him on the field, in the booth, and just glad that I had the opportunity over the years to be alongside of him.”
The Red Sox, and Wakefield, gained all of it once more in 2007.
“There were some years there where I didn’t know if I was going to come back or not,” Wakefield mentioned at his 2012 retirement news convention. “But I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to put this uniform on for such a long time, and win two World Series for this great city.”
Wakefield used to be 11-3 when he made his most effective All-Star Game in 2009, changing into the second-oldest participant — to Satchel Paige — ever decided on to his first All-Star Game. Wakefield used to be the oldest participant in baseball at 45 when he earned his 2 hundredth win in September, 2011, retiring his ultimate six batters.
He introduced his retirement the next spring coaching, seven wins in need of breaking the franchise document for wins held by way of Clemens and Young.
“I’m still a competitor, but ultimately I think this is what’s best for the Red Sox,” he mentioned at the time. “I think this is what’s best for my family. And to be honest with you, seven wins isn’t going to make me a different person or a better man. So, my family really needs me at home.”
An eighth-round Pittsburgh draft select in 1988, Wakefield transformed to a tumbler two years later so as to revive his probabilities of making the majors. He were given his callup halfway in the course of the 1992 season and went 8-1, completing 3rd within the NL rookie of the yr balloting.
He added two entire video games within the NL playoffs — one in Game 6 to stay Pittsburgh alive. (He used to be voted the MVP of the Series past due in Game 7, sooner than the Atlanta Braves rallied to win on Francisco Cabrera’s unmarried with two out within the backside of the 9th.)
But Wakefield used to be not able to recapture his luck in his moment yr in Pittsburgh, going 6-11 with a 5.61 ERA. He used to be launched by way of the Pirates after any other travel in the course of the minors, and signed six days later by way of the Red Sox.
Wakefield once more strung in combination a dominant run, beginning 14-1 in 1995 sooner than completing the yr at 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA. After 17 seasons with Boston, he retired because the franchise chief with 3,006 innings and 430 begins, and moment in video games and strikeouts.
In all, he used to be 200-180 with a 4.41 ERA.
Wakefield used to be additionally an eight-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award that is going to a ballplayer for exemplary sportsmanship and neighborhood involvement, successful it in 2010.
“Tim was more than just a versatile and reliable All-Star pitcher, a highly respected teammate, and a two-time World Series champion,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned in a observation, mentioning “the dedicated work he and his family did serving the communities of New England.”
After retiring, Wakefield was an analyst for Red Sox declares and remained energetic within the staff’s charities.
“Tim’s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball,” Red Sox proprietor John Henry mentioned. “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.”
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