Has there been any other active knuckleballer in MLB since? I guess RA Dickey might qualify but even he didn’t seem to be a knuckleball major pitcher.
Tim Wakefield has passed away from brain cancer at 57 (10/1 update)
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Godamnit! This story is making me so mad and sad. I've sort of spent the whole day just not able to shake this. This thread has been a nice place to be.
BTW, holy hell was Wakefield's knuckler awesome in that game 5! My memory of the game and his pitching is mostly wrapped up in Tek's struggles, but wow!
Also, obvious, a well known point, but after 03 I simply can't imagine a more challenging athletic situation, ever, in terms of staying in the moment.
Even if I had Bob Gibson's stuff in my right arm and Koufax's in my left, I would have shit myself out there in the 13th and cried in terror in the 14th.
Wake is one amazing dude.
Also, 1995 was such a magical summer for the Red Sox, hugely driven by Wake.
BTW, holy hell was Wakefield's knuckler awesome in that game 5! My memory of the game and his pitching is mostly wrapped up in Tek's struggles, but wow!
Also, obvious, a well known point, but after 03 I simply can't imagine a more challenging athletic situation, ever, in terms of staying in the moment.
Even if I had Bob Gibson's stuff in my right arm and Koufax's in my left, I would have shit myself out there in the 13th and cried in terror in the 14th.
Wake is one amazing dude.
Also, 1995 was such a magical summer for the Red Sox, hugely driven by Wake.
Dickey started throwing the knuckleball as his primary pitch in 2006. Others in the majors (not counting position players like Alex Blandino) since Wakefield retired (I might be forgetting someone):
- Eddie Gamboa (Orioles, 2016). The Orioles had a number of minor-league knuckleball picthers in the mid-2010s, but only Gamboa made it to the majors.
- Ryan Feierabend (Blue Jays, 2019). He started throwing the knuckleball overseas in 2015, after washing out of the Rangers organization in 2014.
- Mickey Jannis (Orioles, 2021). This season, he was in the starting rotation of the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League.
- Matt Waldron (Padres, 2023). He is the last true pitcher to throw knuckleballs in the majors, but it's really his third or fourth pitch (in other words, he uses it like dozens of pitchers used it before the circlechange became common).
Edit: never could figure out that Enter key thing
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@BryanHoch
Aaron Boone's reaction to the Tim Wakefield news: "My heart goes out to them; my prayers go out to him and his family. It's sobering to hear those things and also one of those things in life that comes up that always makes you have a little bit of perspective on what you get to do each and every day. "... I've had great conversations with Wake over the years. Just a good dude; great baseball guy. We don't ever talk about [the 2003 home run]. I really love catching up with him because he's just a good dude, easy to be around. He's somebody that I really like and certainly respect a lot."
Aaron Boone's reaction to the Tim Wakefield news: "My heart goes out to them; my prayers go out to him and his family. It's sobering to hear those things and also one of those things in life that comes up that always makes you have a little bit of perspective on what you get to do each and every day. "... I've had great conversations with Wake over the years. Just a good dude; great baseball guy. We don't ever talk about [the 2003 home run]. I really love catching up with him because he's just a good dude, easy to be around. He's somebody that I really like and certainly respect a lot."
At 2:59:00 or so you get a replay of the famous Mariano Rivera "catch the ball!" moment, so as of right now that's the best part of this thread.
Gosh, I’ve seen it a million times before but that at bat by Ortiz to end the game is something else. Crazy that they didn’t put him on and face Mientkiewicz.
I could watch these 2004 clips all day long for the rest of my life.
I could watch these 2004 clips all day long for the rest of my life.
Tim Wakefield is uniquely a multi-generational Red Sox, from 1995-2011 playing a significant part of every single season. From the heartache to beyond the realm of reality(2 titles!) and into the downturn again. So many fans from an age of memory/relevance, roughly 35-65 year old and beyond, remember vividly, of the mastery of Tim Wakefield.
I have a friend of a friend that confirmed the org has been aware of this for several weeks. The fact that this type of thing remained quiet this long says so much about those closest to him in the organization, and so much more about the individual that couldn't be bothered to find out if this should be shared.
I hope Tim sees the messages here if/when he wants to. He is loved by so many, for his on field and off field life.
I have a friend of a friend that confirmed the org has been aware of this for several weeks. The fact that this type of thing remained quiet this long says so much about those closest to him in the organization, and so much more about the individual that couldn't be bothered to find out if this should be shared.
I hope Tim sees the messages here if/when he wants to. He is loved by so many, for his on field and off field life.
Wakefield is my wife’s favorite Red Sox. For all the reasons people here have described. She’s from upstate New York but one day when we were dating and I had the game on, she saw Mirabelli come to the plate. And she asked me “Wakefield’s pitching today?” I swear that was the day I knew I wanted to marry her.
Another thing: One day probably 15 years ago, NESN ran a feature on Wakefield’s love of playing guitar. And they had him meeting some folk musician and playing and singing with her. She was almost certainly gay. Here was a baseball player who was surrounded by macho guys, many of whom were conservative. Even that recently, it was not as socially acceptable to embrace gay people. There was some risk involved for public figures. And Wakefield could not have been kinder and more effusive about how honored he was to play music with her. It was just incredibly touching.
Get well soon, Tim. We all love you
Another thing: One day probably 15 years ago, NESN ran a feature on Wakefield’s love of playing guitar. And they had him meeting some folk musician and playing and singing with her. She was almost certainly gay. Here was a baseball player who was surrounded by macho guys, many of whom were conservative. Even that recently, it was not as socially acceptable to embrace gay people. There was some risk involved for public figures. And Wakefield could not have been kinder and more effusive about how honored he was to play music with her. It was just incredibly touching.
Get well soon, Tim. We all love you
Damn, this is awful news. Tim Wakefield is an awesome guy and great player. I hope he gets better soon 
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This.
He was responsible for so many great moments. Hopefully it helps him to know how beloved he is by the fans - and seemingly many of his peers.
The first year I really followed the Red Sox was 1995. I was 13. Before that, I was a baseball fan, but more a fan of individual players - and collected baseball cards like crazy. I liked guys like Griffey and Bagwell. Greg Maddux. I thought the Red Sox stunk. I owned two baseball caps. A Rockies cap, and an Astros cap.
That changed on December 9th, 1994. I was outside with a baseball glove and ball, waiting on a friend. Chad. Chad didn't merely show up. He came running down the street, frantically waving his arms yelling "OH MY GOD! DUDE! DUDE! YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHAT!!!"
"What?! What happened?"
"The Red Sox just got JOSE CANSECO! THE RED SOX JUST GOT JOSE CANSECO!"
And we were both stoked. I was hooked.
I'm glad I got in when we did. That 1995 team was a lot of fun, and I can easily name more 1995 players than I could 2023 players. I even remember the obscure guys like Tuffy Rhodes and Alejandro Pena. Mo Vaughn won an MVP. John Valentin had a season for the ages. We won the AL East and just had quite the cast of role players. Some guy named Dwayne Hosey was Willie Mays for about a month or two.
But nothing that season was as magical as Tim Wakefield coming out of nowhere and dominating the entire league. It was unreal, the numbers he put up.
He pitched through 2011. I was 29. It's not the longest career ever, but it always felt surreal to me... to be almost 30, and still having this guy on the team that was pitching when I was a kid. Still doing his thing, still getting outs.
I'm not really sure where I'm going with this - other than to say I respect the hell out of Tim Wakefield, as a ballplayer and as a person. I'll be pulling for him and his family.
That changed on December 9th, 1994. I was outside with a baseball glove and ball, waiting on a friend. Chad. Chad didn't merely show up. He came running down the street, frantically waving his arms yelling "OH MY GOD! DUDE! DUDE! YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHAT!!!"
"What?! What happened?"
"The Red Sox just got JOSE CANSECO! THE RED SOX JUST GOT JOSE CANSECO!"
And we were both stoked. I was hooked.
I'm glad I got in when we did. That 1995 team was a lot of fun, and I can easily name more 1995 players than I could 2023 players. I even remember the obscure guys like Tuffy Rhodes and Alejandro Pena. Mo Vaughn won an MVP. John Valentin had a season for the ages. We won the AL East and just had quite the cast of role players. Some guy named Dwayne Hosey was Willie Mays for about a month or two.
But nothing that season was as magical as Tim Wakefield coming out of nowhere and dominating the entire league. It was unreal, the numbers he put up.
He pitched through 2011. I was 29. It's not the longest career ever, but it always felt surreal to me... to be almost 30, and still having this guy on the team that was pitching when I was a kid. Still doing his thing, still getting outs.
I'm not really sure where I'm going with this - other than to say I respect the hell out of Tim Wakefield, as a ballplayer and as a person. I'll be pulling for him and his family.
Wakefield's jersey is the only legit Red Sox I've ever owned (and one of four total jerseys, the others being Troy Brown, Paul Pierce and Isaiah Thomas), this is difficult news to hear. I'm not sure if any other player has accepted such a team friendly contract (I think those recurring $4M years were just team options, but I could be mistaken), but even beyond that, he was so, so easy to root for. It's kind of crazy that a guy who made just one all-star team (at age 42!) is at or near the top of the Sox leaderboard in so many categories (6th in pitcher WAR, 3rd in wins, 2nd in games, 1st in innings, 2nd in strikeouts, 1st in games started). A cursory glance at his numbers isn't super impressive, but he gave the team 17 years, mostly as a starter, averaging 177 innings per season at a slightly above average level. That's incredibly valuable, especially considering the price.
Really hoping this ends well.
Really hoping this ends well.
With all the talk about 1995 it reminded me of the reason I started watching baseball after the strike season. Tim Wakefield. I thought he was a great story with the Pirates and wasn't happy to hear that they demoted him. I was mildly excited when the Sox picked him up and then he went on a roll. Another Archer-mowing story, but I remember one weekend mowing the front yard and figured I'd do it quick and catch the last few innings of the game. Wakefield was pitching. Finished up and turned on the game only to see it was over. Wakefield games were quick back then and this one clocked in at about two hours.
Hate to read about this anywhere, let alone here. Whatever's going on is Wake's story to tell. But since this is an appreciation thread, I'll add mine to the pile.
Summer of 1995 was a transition year in my life, and Wake was appointment viewing. I'll always be grateful for what he brought that year.
In subsequent years we watched him have highs and lows, particularly struggling through the lows to find it. He'd turn over every rock, talking to other knuckleballers, mostly retired. He fought through it back to the highs. It was like he could be any one of us, trying to figure out life and career. Having good days and bad days, working through it. Not some Adonis with an arm touched by God. He felt like one of us. Of course, watching his interviews, public appearances, and hearing the stories from anyone who knew someone who knew someone who met him, he seemed like salt of the earth. The kind of guy who could be your next door neighbor.
Then in 2003, he had the indignity of having to take the fall at the end. Not from mental error or lack of judgment. The ball's fluttering just happened at the wrong time. I remember him giving an interview after that and saying that he was hoping that folks here wouldn't hold it against him, like the failed heroes and sometimes ghosts of the past. What he didn't know was that he was one of us by then. We knew what it felt like to have victory snatched away. We had watched him rise and fall and bust his buns every night. Nobody was going to shun the man, and we didn't.
Then those days of 2004, it was so great watching him help deliver what nobody ever had in even our parents' lifetimes. And he kept being great, long after those of us who fell in love with his game in 95 would have ever expected.
One of the 25, but also just Tim from Boston. Best of luck with all of this.
Summer of 1995 was a transition year in my life, and Wake was appointment viewing. I'll always be grateful for what he brought that year.
In subsequent years we watched him have highs and lows, particularly struggling through the lows to find it. He'd turn over every rock, talking to other knuckleballers, mostly retired. He fought through it back to the highs. It was like he could be any one of us, trying to figure out life and career. Having good days and bad days, working through it. Not some Adonis with an arm touched by God. He felt like one of us. Of course, watching his interviews, public appearances, and hearing the stories from anyone who knew someone who knew someone who met him, he seemed like salt of the earth. The kind of guy who could be your next door neighbor.
Then in 2003, he had the indignity of having to take the fall at the end. Not from mental error or lack of judgment. The ball's fluttering just happened at the wrong time. I remember him giving an interview after that and saying that he was hoping that folks here wouldn't hold it against him, like the failed heroes and sometimes ghosts of the past. What he didn't know was that he was one of us by then. We knew what it felt like to have victory snatched away. We had watched him rise and fall and bust his buns every night. Nobody was going to shun the man, and we didn't.
Then those days of 2004, it was so great watching him help deliver what nobody ever had in even our parents' lifetimes. And he kept being great, long after those of us who fell in love with his game in 95 would have ever expected.
One of the 25, but also just Tim from Boston. Best of luck with all of this.
I just watched 80% of games 5 and 7 of the ALCS. So incredible to re-live. I want to hug #49.
I think this speaks to (1) how hard of a pitch the knuckleball is to master and (2) how great Wakefield was at it.
I understand the best athletes will want to be shortstops or SPs throwing 100 mph, but there are a ton of players who never even sniff the major leagues who should at least have some incentive to experiment with it.
Wakefield went 200-180 over 19 seasons with a 4.41 ERA and made 56 million dollars. Teams may also be more adverse to throwing a knuckleballer out there (for example it is easier to run on them and they are harder to catch).
But a guy who can start every 5th day, throw 180-200 innings, and post a 4.41 ERA. I know the game has changed - on the 2023 Red Sox their leader in innings pitched is Brayan Bello at 157 with a 4.23 ERA.
It's hard to sort through all of the variables at play, but it's easy to reach the conclusion that Wakefield was incredibly valuable and perhaps the last great knuckleballer the game will ever see.
Amazing how simliar this parallels my own version of getting hooked on the Sox. That '95 season was magical. I spent sooooo many hours staring at the crawl at the bottom on ESPN to find out the score b/c we lived in NJ, and obvi the internet didn't exist yet!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
This hits close to home. I had an MRI earlier this year that revealed a brain tumor. I read the results before the doctor reviewed them with me. I immediately broke down crying and felt like my life was over. I had never been more scared than I was in that moment. The weekend between reading the results and seeing my doctor were the longest two days of my life. I started catastrophizing. My webMD-fu skills made everything so much worse. I pictured myself being in the exact same situation Wakefield is in now. I got lucky though, and it just sucks to read he didn’t.
He was a huge part of my childhood and early Red Sox fandom. He was the starting pitcher for the Red Sox when I first saw them play in person at Tropicana Field back in 2005. He pitched really well that day and the Red Sox won. It was a good day. I have other memories of playing catch in my front yard and trying to throw a knuckleball. I remember getting chewed out by my little league coach when I tried throwing it in a game. That was not a good day. Even now, whenever I pick up a baseball, I try and throw a knuckleball. When I have kids, I’ll try and have them throw it to… all because of how relatable it was to see, as a kid with a bad arm, someone who didn’t throw very hard be successful and so dependable for my favorite baseball team.
Reading this thread and stories about how great of a guy he is off the field just reminds me of how unfair life can be sometimes. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Cancer fucking sucks.
He was a huge part of my childhood and early Red Sox fandom. He was the starting pitcher for the Red Sox when I first saw them play in person at Tropicana Field back in 2005. He pitched really well that day and the Red Sox won. It was a good day. I have other memories of playing catch in my front yard and trying to throw a knuckleball. I remember getting chewed out by my little league coach when I tried throwing it in a game. That was not a good day. Even now, whenever I pick up a baseball, I try and throw a knuckleball. When I have kids, I’ll try and have them throw it to… all because of how relatable it was to see, as a kid with a bad arm, someone who didn’t throw very hard be successful and so dependable for my favorite baseball team.
Reading this thread and stories about how great of a guy he is off the field just reminds me of how unfair life can be sometimes. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Cancer fucking sucks.
It’s also worth noting that he was really good as a color guy this year – particularly in a three man booth with Youk. It almost makes this news hit that much harder because rather than Wake seeming like a player from my younger days I can hear his voice talking about the current team.
I'm sure I'm misreading your intent, but I thought I'd comment on the above. It's worth remembering that Tim seems to have lived a wonderful life and made an overwhelmingly positive impact on other people. From that perspective, everyone should be so fortunate, no matter how long our lives last. (But of course, let's also hope Tim and his loved ones have many more years of the same ahead of him.)
At a time, 1995, when my interest in baseball was at an all time low, the Red Sox run that summer, and Wake’s prominent role in it, was the first spark of getting my passion for the game back. I’ll always appreciate him for that, and for being a great Red Sox, and by all accounts, a true gentleman. Brain cancer is tough one, I lost my dad to it in 1988. But, treatments have advanced considerably since then, so there’s reason for hope. All best wishes to Tim and his family for a full recovery.
I understand what you are saying and I agree with it wholeheartedly. That line is more “why do bad things happen to good people” than anything else.
Just wanted to chime in with the well-wishes. This Yankee fan had nothing but respect for Wake and I'm thoroughly, utterly depressed to hear what his family is dealing with. Bad enough it's happening to either him or his wife, but both simultaneously? That's too much for anyone to have to bear.
This is a great description of how I think a lot of fans resonated with Tim Wakefield. He felt like just a normal dude who wasn't blessed with obscene athletic ability....though I suspect Wakefield was 100% more athletic than he "seemed"...they used to always comment on how he was a great fielding pitcher since he had played infield prior to switching to pitcher full time. But it wasn't just the appearance of being a normal guy....like you said, he acted like it in all his interviews and his interactions with the fans. He talked normal. To use an old cliche, he truly was "the guy you could drink a beer with".
We seemed to personally feel his ups and downs and highs and lows more than other players. He was a guy you rooted for. Not just rooting for the laundry.
Steven Wright? He got rings for 2013 and 2018 even though he wasn’t on the playoff roster.
There's an irony here that will be lost on him. He first raised his "I am stupid" flag when he got all pissy because he said a post critical of sports media was "off the record," even though it was posted in a public spot, and then a reporter (Masserotti?) wrote about what he said. And now 20 years later, he really does violate an actual confidence, likely causing actual pain to real people. It really sucks that anger at that hateful moron gets even a sliver of the headspace that should be for the sadness (and hope) for the Wakes.
It's all about Wake, his wife, and their family. May they find the strength that they have given others as Jimmy Fund volunteers to beat cancer themselves. They have thousands of people praying for them.
The 95 and 99 Red Sox teams, much like (and at the same time as) the Parcells Patriots teams, really set the table for what was to come. Let it be Wake or Mo Vaughn, Bledsoe or Ben Coates, I think people miss out on how most (not all, but most) dynasties need to walk before they can run, need to create the winning culture and get to the playoffs before they win it all. I think the players that get to play in both sides - the build up as well as the victories, both had it best and are remembered with the most fondness, and Wake is the posterboy of that effort. Combining what he did on the field with the appreciation that his teammates and managers and the community clearly had for him off the field - he should be about the epitome of what we want in an athlete we cheer for. I'm obviously very upset by the disclosure, as well as the diagnosis, and I will hope and pray for him and his family. They deserve better.
One more Wakefield personal anecdote....I went to 3 Red Sox games in 2001 and two of them were in the same Tigers series in June.
The first of those games I went to was the 18 inning game where Shea Hillenbrand hit a walkoff in bottom of the 18th. But in the top of the 18th, the Red Sox were basically out of bullpen pitchers so they turned to Tim Wakefield on 2 days rest from his previous start. He got into a 1st and 2nd jam but then picked off a guy at 2nd base to end the inning, and then got the win when Hillenbrand hit his walkoff. In the postgame, they asked Wakefield about the relief appearance, and he just shrugged acting like it was totally normal and said (paraphrasing) "they always know I'm available. I have my pitching spikes on every single game I come to the park in case they need me". He often said stuff like this, but every time he said it, it came off genuine. Like he wasn't just saying that because he knew it was the right thing to say. I always liked that about him. Even when he wasn't a full time starter, he was honest and said he'd rather be starting, but he was ready to do whatever they needed. Oh, and he was also enthusiastically signing autographs to a bunch of kids down near the dugout during batting practice before that game.
I went to my 2nd game of that series 2 days later. It was the game Varitek busted his elbow and was lost for the season. The starting pitcher? Tim Wakefield just a couple days after that relief appearance. Wakefield pitched brilliantly in an 8-1 win.
The last Tim Wakefield start I went to in person was game 4 of the 2003 ALCS. He dominated the MFY in a 3-2 win that tied the series up after emotional game 3 loss (Pedro, Clemens, and Don Zimmer). I regret not making it to another Wakefield game after that, but will always feel blessed to have seen him many times in person (my first in-person Wakefield game was in 1995...unfortunately, he lost that game as it was during his late-season slump). As I and many others already said...he was really easy to root for, and not just because of the laundry. He's the type of guy you would grudgingly admit you have to like even if he was on a rival team.
The first of those games I went to was the 18 inning game where Shea Hillenbrand hit a walkoff in bottom of the 18th. But in the top of the 18th, the Red Sox were basically out of bullpen pitchers so they turned to Tim Wakefield on 2 days rest from his previous start. He got into a 1st and 2nd jam but then picked off a guy at 2nd base to end the inning, and then got the win when Hillenbrand hit his walkoff. In the postgame, they asked Wakefield about the relief appearance, and he just shrugged acting like it was totally normal and said (paraphrasing) "they always know I'm available. I have my pitching spikes on every single game I come to the park in case they need me". He often said stuff like this, but every time he said it, it came off genuine. Like he wasn't just saying that because he knew it was the right thing to say. I always liked that about him. Even when he wasn't a full time starter, he was honest and said he'd rather be starting, but he was ready to do whatever they needed. Oh, and he was also enthusiastically signing autographs to a bunch of kids down near the dugout during batting practice before that game.
I went to my 2nd game of that series 2 days later. It was the game Varitek busted his elbow and was lost for the season. The starting pitcher? Tim Wakefield just a couple days after that relief appearance. Wakefield pitched brilliantly in an 8-1 win.
The last Tim Wakefield start I went to in person was game 4 of the 2003 ALCS. He dominated the MFY in a 3-2 win that tied the series up after emotional game 3 loss (Pedro, Clemens, and Don Zimmer). I regret not making it to another Wakefield game after that, but will always feel blessed to have seen him many times in person (my first in-person Wakefield game was in 1995...unfortunately, he lost that game as it was during his late-season slump). As I and many others already said...he was really easy to root for, and not just because of the laundry. He's the type of guy you would grudgingly admit you have to like even if he was on a rival team.
I really, really, really wanted Wake to get to 193 wins and be the franchises all time leader. He was cooked at the end, gave it his all until the last pitch, but man I wish we had the "opener" back then and could have gotten him in to a few games to poach those W's. Dude deserved it for everything he meant to the franchise.
No personal anecdotes but Wakefield was amazing; an amazing guy to root for and I was super happy when BOS picked him up. He's one of a kind and one of the best ever at it. I mean when's the next time we're ever going to see a knuckleballer as a closer (and he was 15/18 IIRC)? Just amazing how he handled something that really couldn't be handled.
Sorry if this was posted already but here's an article by someone arguing that he should be in the HOF: https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-hall-of-fame-case-tim-wakefield-c212610966
Godspeed to him and his family.
Sorry if this was posted already but here's an article by someone arguing that he should be in the HOF: https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-hall-of-fame-case-tim-wakefield-c212610966
Godspeed to him and his family.
Just wanted to say that I hope when you say you got lucky; you got the best news possible.
Although it will do nothing to help Wake, could the dopes ban Schilling from SoSH just for good measure and human decency?
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I remember Wake’s rise and fall with the Pirates very well as my best friend was a Pirates fan. Amazing that he stunk it up in AAA for the Pirates in 1994 (5-15 with a 5.84 ERA) and the following year dominated with the BoSox. During his 14-1 run the wife and I sat behind home plate for a start and win against the Royals. Other than George Brett getting 3 or 4 hits against Timmeh, no one could touch his dancing knuckler that day.
Truly saddened to read about the challenges he and his wife are facing. Timmeh has always carried himself so very well, he’s the antithesis of the bloody sock asshole.
Stay strong Wake.
Truly saddened to read about the challenges he and his wife are facing. Timmeh has always carried himself so very well, he’s the antithesis of the bloody sock asshole.
Stay strong Wake.
Please don't. He'd find out and just use it as another stupid self-pitying grievance in his long list of bullshit nonsense.
I’ve been reading this thread for a while, but haven’t posted because I’m just so sad at the news. Lots of beautiful sentiments about Wake and I share them, along with the great memories of a long and impressive career.
Here’s hoping that Tim and Stacy win their fight.
Here’s hoping that Tim and Stacy win their fight.
I updated my GF on the news and got choked up while doing so. And that took me by surprise a little. As much as I've rooted for other players, and as much as I'd be sad to hear the same news about them, there's something really special about Wake.
Tim Wakefield is an all-star human and teammate. The only Sox jersey with a name I own is his, with the '04 champs patch on the sleeve. I don't think I've worn that in a decade, but I will be wearing it all weekend.
Tim Wakefield was originally a first baseman. He hit .189/.281/.290 as a minor leaguer and managed to hit only one home run in the majors. Thank goodness he failed so successfully.
My dad took me to my first big league ballgame at the Stade Fasciste in 1985. Phil Neikro beat the Red Sox but got me hooked on knuckleballers.
Like many in this thread, it seemed that every time I was able to get to a ballpark to see a game, it was Wakefield’s day in the rotation. The man was an institution for a decade and a half. His unique contract with the infinite annual options for $4M was such a perfect union of player and team interests, and it wouldn’t have worked for anyone else but Wake.
2004 changed my life, and Tim Wakefield was a huge part of that and so many more moments of the kind of joy grownups can only get from sports. I am unceasingly grateful for his athletic achievements. He has proved himself a gentleman, a class act, and a person worthy of admiration and emulation. It is a privilege to be a fan of people like him.
Curt Schilling is a fascist whose disgraceful time on earth will be remembered with perpetual disgust.
My dad took me to my first big league ballgame at the Stade Fasciste in 1985. Phil Neikro beat the Red Sox but got me hooked on knuckleballers.
Like many in this thread, it seemed that every time I was able to get to a ballpark to see a game, it was Wakefield’s day in the rotation. The man was an institution for a decade and a half. His unique contract with the infinite annual options for $4M was such a perfect union of player and team interests, and it wouldn’t have worked for anyone else but Wake.
2004 changed my life, and Tim Wakefield was a huge part of that and so many more moments of the kind of joy grownups can only get from sports. I am unceasingly grateful for his athletic achievements. He has proved himself a gentleman, a class act, and a person worthy of admiration and emulation. It is a privilege to be a fan of people like him.
Curt Schilling is a fascist whose disgraceful time on earth will be remembered with perpetual disgust.
Tim Thomas is not one one thousandth of the awful evil human being than Curt is. How you can even compare the two is unreal.
Anyway on a more positive note thoughts and prayers to the Wakefields. Of all the 2004 guys Tim was my favorite because of all he went through to get there. He is the textbook definition of "teammate" and "warrior" The word hero gets thrown around too much regarding sports and entertainment figures but in Tim Wakefield 's case it truly applies.
So why did you compare him to Schilling? The two should never ever be compared in the same sentence but do as you may.
The question was about who fans turned on in a similar fashion after what they had accomplished for the team. And a lot of fans certainly turned on Thomas. Of course this has rightfully softened somewhat recently by learning what he has been through.
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I went to opening day in Baltimore in 2004.
The night before the first game I went to the ESPN Zone with a friend. To our luck, about half the team was there, shooting the shit, playing games, grabbing food, etc.
We were awestruck. We wanted to ask one of them for a photo, but we didn’t want to be a problem/draw attention, and it was our first time ever meeting or being around “famous” people.
While watching Derek Lowe absolutely decimate a football toss game (seriously, he went like 20/20 throwing strikes through the little holes - it was a sight to behold), I briefly made eye contact with Tim Wakefield and he gave us a friendly smile so my buddy and I walked over and asked for a photo. He couldn’t have been nicer and more conversational. He came across as a true gentleman and clearly understood that we were two dorky kids in awe of our idols but too scared shitless to talk to them (we were so nervous/stupid that my buddy blocked the flash on the camera because he was worried it’d draw attention to the players hah).
I couldn’t have asked for a better first interaction with a pro athlete in Boston.
This is why to this day he (and Trot Nixon) are my all-time favorite Sox players.
The night before the first game I went to the ESPN Zone with a friend. To our luck, about half the team was there, shooting the shit, playing games, grabbing food, etc.
We were awestruck. We wanted to ask one of them for a photo, but we didn’t want to be a problem/draw attention, and it was our first time ever meeting or being around “famous” people.
While watching Derek Lowe absolutely decimate a football toss game (seriously, he went like 20/20 throwing strikes through the little holes - it was a sight to behold), I briefly made eye contact with Tim Wakefield and he gave us a friendly smile so my buddy and I walked over and asked for a photo. He couldn’t have been nicer and more conversational. He came across as a true gentleman and clearly understood that we were two dorky kids in awe of our idols but too scared shitless to talk to them (we were so nervous/stupid that my buddy blocked the flash on the camera because he was worried it’d draw attention to the players hah).
I couldn’t have asked for a better first interaction with a pro athlete in Boston.
This is why to this day he (and Trot Nixon) are my all-time favorite Sox players.