In Memoriam Tim Wakefield
- Thread starter Fenway
- Start date
Therick67
Registered User
That poor family. I pray to god his wife makes a full recovery.
SPB2776
Registered User
- Jun 4, 2009
- 524
- 141
He was certainly one of a kind. A true glue guy that a team needs to win. He'd have done anything for his team. Can't help but respect a guy like that.
So saddening to hear this news.
So saddening to hear this news.
Walkenthewalk
Registered User
- Dec 10, 2008
- 1,100
- 758
BigFatCat999
First Fubu and now Pred303. !@#$! you cancer
To Wake's family, cry, tears are poison to the soul and it is best to get it all out of you.
I loved watching Wake pitch. He wasn't an A+ pitcher but he was an A- pitcher who makes the team better.
I f***ing hate rest in power. It implies you still have work to do. Your job is done, Tim. You won a WS, you were a father, husband, and a good man. Rest in peace. You earned it.
I loved watching Wake pitch. He wasn't an A+ pitcher but he was an A- pitcher who makes the team better.
I f***ing hate rest in power. It implies you still have work to do. Your job is done, Tim. You won a WS, you were a father, husband, and a good man. Rest in peace. You earned it.
wintersej
Registered User
I am in shock.
Just absolutely heartbroken. Rest in Eternal paradise, Wake. Thank you for everything. Incredible player. Incredible human being.
Prayers to his children. I pray his wife can beat her battle.
Just absolutely heartbroken. Rest in Eternal paradise, Wake. Thank you for everything. Incredible player. Incredible human being.
Prayers to his children. I pray his wife can beat her battle.
quietbruinfan
Salt and light
SPB2776
Registered User
- Jun 4, 2009
- 524
- 141
I was so glad he got that standing ovation on Opening Day in 2004. Him breaking down in the locker room in 2003, thinking he'd be the new Bill Buckner, was tough to watch.
Roberto Clemente award winner Tim Wakefield. What a guy.
Huge loss for the community. RIP Wake
Huge loss for the community. RIP Wake
- Jan 29, 2003
- 26,433
- 23,175
missingchicklet
Registered User
- Jan 24, 2010
- 36,589
- 34,464
Noooo! Way too young. Stopped closely following baseball about the time he retired. Like everyone else here, I loved watching him pitch. Always have had an affinity for knuckleballers. Got to see him pitch in-person only once back when he played for the Pirates, and was pretty excited when he went to Boston. Heck of a player and an even better person by all accounts. RIP.
RED SOX MOURN THE PASSING OF TIM WAKEFIELD
Red Sox Hall of Famer and Community Service Champion Spent 29 Years with Organization as Player, Special Assistant, and Broadcaster
BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox mourn the loss of Red Sox Hall of Famer Tim Wakefield, who passed away this morning at the age of 57. The honorary chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, Wakefield spent 29 years in the organization as a player, special assistant, and broadcaster.
"Tim's kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball," said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. "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," said 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."
"It's a rare occurrence for a two-time World Series Champion's extraordinary personality to shine even brighter than their illustrious career," said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. "Tim was undeniably an exceptional pitcher, but what truly set him apart was the ease with which he connected with people. He was an extraordinary pitcher, an incredible broadcaster, and someone who exemplified every humanitarian quality in the dictionary. I will miss my friend more than anything and can only aspire to live as genuinely and honorably as he did."
A two-time World Series champion (2004, 2007) and 2009 All-Star with Boston, Wakefield was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year in 1995, his first of 17 seasons with the Red Sox. In 2010, Major League Baseball recognized him as one of the most charitable players in the game with the Roberto Clemente Award, his eighth time being nominated for the prestigious honor. Wakefield joined NESN's pre- and post-game team in 2012, and in 2016 he was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
In 19 Major League seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992-93) and Red Sox (1995-2011), Wakefield went 200-180 with 22 saves, a 4.41 ERA, and 2,156 strikeouts in 627 outings, including 463 starts. He pitched in 18 career playoff games, including 11 starts. Of his five postseason wins, three came with the Red Sox during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The right-hander's 17 seasons are the most in club history by a pitcher; only Carl Yastrzemski (23 seasons), Dwight Evans (19), and Ted Williams (19) played at least as many seasons with Boston as Wakefield did.
Wakefield owns all-time Red Sox records with 430 starts and 3,006.0 innings pitched. He ranks second in franchise annals with 590 pitching appearances and 2,046 strikeouts, behind Bob Stanley (637 games) and Roger Clemens (2,590 strikeouts), and is third in club history with 186 wins, trailing only Clemens and Cy Young (192 each). He is the only player in franchise history to appear in a game at the age of 44 or older. Wakefield is also the all-time Fenway Park leader with 216 starts and 1,553.0 innings at the ballpark.
Signed by Boston as a minor league free agent on April 26, 1995, the knuckleballer went on that season to earn his first of two Red Sox Pitcher of the Year awards from the Boston chapter of the BBWAA. In 1995, he finished second in the AL with a 2.95 ERA to garner third place in Cy Young Award voting and earn the league's Comeback Player of the Year honors from The Sporting News. A versatile member of Boston's pitching staff, he is the only hurler ever to make 200 starts and 150 relief appearances for the club. With his final victory on September 13, 2011, he became the 89th modern Major Leaguer (since 1900) to reach 200 career wins.
Originally selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round of the 1988 First-Year Player Draft as a shortstop, he converted to pitching the next year and reached the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 1992. Under manager Jim Leyland, he went 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA as a rookie in 1992, bolstering the National League East Division Champion Pirates, and won each of his two starts against Atlanta in the Championship Series with complete-game efforts. He was the Pirates' Opening Day starter in 1993.
A champion of charitable efforts in New England and his hometown of Melbourne, Florida, Wakefield was honored as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, bestowed annually to the Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their clubs. In 2011, the Boston chapter of the BBWAA announced the start of an annual Tim Wakefield Community Service Award in his honor.
Wakefield served as the Red Sox' first Jimmy Fund captain-along with teammate Clay Buchholz-and was an active participant in the annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, which has raised more than $60 million for cancer research. He was also actively involved with "Pitching in for Kids," a non-profit organization dedicated to providing grants to improve the lives of children across New England. He supported Melbourne's Space Coast Early Intervention Center, a unique non-profit therapeutic pre-school program for children with special needs. He adopted the Center in 1992 when it was struggling financially and faced closure and helped to raise over $10 million for the organization through his annual Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf Classic and Memorabilia Auction. His "Wakefield Warriors" program enabled patients from the Franciscan Hospital for Children and the Jimmy Fund in Boston to visit with him and watch batting practice before Tuesday home games at Fenway Park.
Wakefield is survived by his wife, Stacy, and their children, Trevor and Brianna.
Red Sox Hall of Famer and Community Service Champion Spent 29 Years with Organization as Player, Special Assistant, and Broadcaster
BOSTON, MA-The Boston Red Sox mourn the loss of Red Sox Hall of Famer Tim Wakefield, who passed away this morning at the age of 57. The honorary chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, Wakefield spent 29 years in the organization as a player, special assistant, and broadcaster.
"Tim's kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball," said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry. "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," said 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."
"It's a rare occurrence for a two-time World Series Champion's extraordinary personality to shine even brighter than their illustrious career," said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. "Tim was undeniably an exceptional pitcher, but what truly set him apart was the ease with which he connected with people. He was an extraordinary pitcher, an incredible broadcaster, and someone who exemplified every humanitarian quality in the dictionary. I will miss my friend more than anything and can only aspire to live as genuinely and honorably as he did."
A two-time World Series champion (2004, 2007) and 2009 All-Star with Boston, Wakefield was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year in 1995, his first of 17 seasons with the Red Sox. In 2010, Major League Baseball recognized him as one of the most charitable players in the game with the Roberto Clemente Award, his eighth time being nominated for the prestigious honor. Wakefield joined NESN's pre- and post-game team in 2012, and in 2016 he was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
In 19 Major League seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992-93) and Red Sox (1995-2011), Wakefield went 200-180 with 22 saves, a 4.41 ERA, and 2,156 strikeouts in 627 outings, including 463 starts. He pitched in 18 career playoff games, including 11 starts. Of his five postseason wins, three came with the Red Sox during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The right-hander's 17 seasons are the most in club history by a pitcher; only Carl Yastrzemski (23 seasons), Dwight Evans (19), and Ted Williams (19) played at least as many seasons with Boston as Wakefield did.
Wakefield owns all-time Red Sox records with 430 starts and 3,006.0 innings pitched. He ranks second in franchise annals with 590 pitching appearances and 2,046 strikeouts, behind Bob Stanley (637 games) and Roger Clemens (2,590 strikeouts), and is third in club history with 186 wins, trailing only Clemens and Cy Young (192 each). He is the only player in franchise history to appear in a game at the age of 44 or older. Wakefield is also the all-time Fenway Park leader with 216 starts and 1,553.0 innings at the ballpark.
Signed by Boston as a minor league free agent on April 26, 1995, the knuckleballer went on that season to earn his first of two Red Sox Pitcher of the Year awards from the Boston chapter of the BBWAA. In 1995, he finished second in the AL with a 2.95 ERA to garner third place in Cy Young Award voting and earn the league's Comeback Player of the Year honors from The Sporting News. A versatile member of Boston's pitching staff, he is the only hurler ever to make 200 starts and 150 relief appearances for the club. With his final victory on September 13, 2011, he became the 89th modern Major Leaguer (since 1900) to reach 200 career wins.
Originally selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round of the 1988 First-Year Player Draft as a shortstop, he converted to pitching the next year and reached the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 1992. Under manager Jim Leyland, he went 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA as a rookie in 1992, bolstering the National League East Division Champion Pirates, and won each of his two starts against Atlanta in the Championship Series with complete-game efforts. He was the Pirates' Opening Day starter in 1993.
A champion of charitable efforts in New England and his hometown of Melbourne, Florida, Wakefield was honored as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, bestowed annually to the Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their clubs. In 2011, the Boston chapter of the BBWAA announced the start of an annual Tim Wakefield Community Service Award in his honor.
Wakefield served as the Red Sox' first Jimmy Fund captain-along with teammate Clay Buchholz-and was an active participant in the annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, which has raised more than $60 million for cancer research. He was also actively involved with "Pitching in for Kids," a non-profit organization dedicated to providing grants to improve the lives of children across New England. He supported Melbourne's Space Coast Early Intervention Center, a unique non-profit therapeutic pre-school program for children with special needs. He adopted the Center in 1992 when it was struggling financially and faced closure and helped to raise over $10 million for the organization through his annual Tim Wakefield Celebrity Golf Classic and Memorabilia Auction. His "Wakefield Warriors" program enabled patients from the Franciscan Hospital for Children and the Jimmy Fund in Boston to visit with him and watch batting practice before Tuesday home games at Fenway Park.
Wakefield is survived by his wife, Stacy, and their children, Trevor and Brianna.
So many memories of watching him pitch. I will never forget 2004 or what he did off the field in the community. The world is dimmer without him in it,
- Sep 22, 2011
- 11,815
- 12,953
Not many athletes go their entire career without you hearing one bad word about them on or off the field. Tim Wakefield is that rare person who carried himself with class, grace, empathy, and dignity in all facets of work and life. RIP Wake.
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 30,352
- 41,636
Really puts a cap on this disaster of a season, but it's easily the worst thing to happen related to this team in the last 12 months.
If you were to draw up a list of Red Sox players of the past thirty years, I don't think you could find one who deserved this fate less than Tim Wakefield. He probably did more charity work than anyone else, but almost never publicized it or made it about him. He was always humble on and off the field, suffered through as many tragic losses as glorious wins, was the one guy who tied generations of Red Sox players together. Obviously nobody deserves this, but especially a great man and ballplayer like Wake. But that's the thing, who else could take that kind of suffering with no complaints, no publicity, and not turn it into a pity party or making a show of it. He passed as he lived, with humility and dignity.
The Red Sox should retire #49. I don't think that's even a debate.
If you were to draw up a list of Red Sox players of the past thirty years, I don't think you could find one who deserved this fate less than Tim Wakefield. He probably did more charity work than anyone else, but almost never publicized it or made it about him. He was always humble on and off the field, suffered through as many tragic losses as glorious wins, was the one guy who tied generations of Red Sox players together. Obviously nobody deserves this, but especially a great man and ballplayer like Wake. But that's the thing, who else could take that kind of suffering with no complaints, no publicity, and not turn it into a pity party or making a show of it. He passed as he lived, with humility and dignity.
The Red Sox should retire #49. I don't think that's even a debate.
JRull86
Registered User
Ddawg
Registered User
