RIP Tim Wakefield (1966-2023)

Tim Wakefield died today. He was 57.

I'm speechless. It's horrible news. Fifty-seven is an obscenely young age.

Wakefield underwent surgery a few weeks ago in an attempt to slow the progression of the cancer, which was very aggressive. It's horrific that he and his family were forced to experience the unwanted publicity of his diagnosis in what turned out to be the final days of his life. Wakefield is survived by his wife Stacy (who reportedly is also dealing with a form of cancer) and children Trevor and Brianna.

Red Sox principal owner John Henry:

Tim's kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball. 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.

Wakefield was originally signed as an infielder by the Pirates. His one major league home run came in 1993.

Wakefield pitched 17 seasons for the Red Sox (1995-2011), in every conceivable role. Only three players had longer careers with Boston: Carl Yastrzemski (23 years), Ted Williams (19) and Dwight Evans (19). Wakefield made more starts (430) and pitched more innings (3,006) than any other Red Sox pitcher, and his 186 wins ranks second in team history. (I really wanted him to win 193 and grab the top spot.) With his Pittsburgh stats, he finished with an even 200 major league wins.

Three posts from Sons of Sam Horn:

brs3:

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.

Jimbodandy:

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. . . . The kind of guy who could be your next door neighbor.

Patriot_Reign shared this story:

I know many people here generally despise Gerry Callahan but I occasionally listen to his podcast. Earlier today [last Thursday, September 28]. . . GC was leading off with the Wakefield news so I gave it a listen for a bit. He talked about how Wake was far and away one of the largest contributors to the Jimmy Fund and how many of the celebrities were happy to show up when cameras were rolling to get that credit. But Wake would show up unannounced in his game jersey and hand out gloves or baseballs just because.

Then he told this story about how an event was taking place at the hospital and there was one kid who was Wake's biggest fan but when he got there the kid was unavailable because he was receiving treatment. Someone mentioned this to Wake.

So he went to the kid's room and waited three hours by himself until he got back.

Imagine on one of your many worst days of your life going back to your hospital bed and your favorite baseball player is just hanging out waiting for you.

Considering how the 2003 season ended, no one deserved to win a World Series title in 2004 more than Tim Wakefield. (No Red Sox fan blamed Wakefield for 2003, of course, but he initially feared he would forever be a pariah.) Wakefield was also a member of the 2007 World Champions.