Tim Wakefield, the dependable knuckleball pitcher for the Red Sox, has passed away at 57. The Red Sox made the sad announcement on Sunday, highlighting not just his baseball accomplishments but also his generous contributions outside the game. The cause of death is believed to be his prolonged struggle with brain cancer. The revelation made by Curt Schilling in a recent podcast, recently sparked a wave of sympathy for Wakefield. The Red Sox acknowledged his health issues but respected his wish for privacy.
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Players Association President Tony Clark, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, NCAA President Charlie Baker, and various teams and players from across the league offered condolences. Mariners pitcher George Kirby even threw a knuckleball during Seattle’s game against Texas.
The Red Sox shared a tribute video on X (formerly Twitter). Jason Varitek, a former catcher, struggled to hold back tears when he said, “I don’t think I need to say much; my emotions say it all.” Boston manager Alex Cora had all his players in the dugout wearing their jerseys without jackets or over shirts in the season finale against Baltimore to honour the uniform.
Gigantic Panorama of Wakefield
Wakefield, born in Melbourne, stood out as a star player at Eau Gallie High School. He went on to attend his college at Florida Institute of Technology in 1986, where he set records as a member of the Panthers baseball team, as noted on the university’s website. He was recognized as the Major League Rookie Pitcher of the year by the Sporting News.
Wakefield, one of the MLB’s most famous and successful knuckleball pitchers, participated in 19 seasons within the league. The bulk of his career, a total of 17 seasons, unfolded in a Red Sox uniform. Initially, he embarked on his professional journey with the Pirates, but they released him after the first two years. Subsequently, he inked a deal with the Red Sox, where he remained for the entirety of his career. During his time with the Red Sox, he clinched two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, solidifying his position in the club’s history books as the pitcher with the most seasons played.
Tim Wakefield’s career spanned 19 seasons with the Red Sox and Pirates. His stats include 200 wins, 180 losses, an ERA of 4.41, and 2,156 strikeouts. He earned 2 World Series victories.
Additionally, he was well-known for his charitable efforts, which included supporting the Space Coast Early Intervention Center, now named the Space Coast Discovery Academy for Promising Futures.
In 2016, the Red Sox Hall of Fame honored Wakefield. He exclaimed, “It’s a massive honor.” He played well for the Pirates in 1992, but they let him go in 1995, and any team could have signed him. At the beginning, Wakefield was a weak-hitting first baseman in the Pirates’ farm system. But he learned to throw a knuckleball.
The knuckleball saved his career. He learned from knuckleball experts like Charlie Hough and the Niekro brothers (Phil and Joe). Using this special pitch, Wakefield had a remarkable career.
Wakefield was not just great on the field, but he also supported the community, while he played and after.
Tim Wakefield is survived by his wife, Stacy, and their children, Trevor and Brianna. They first met in 2000 and began dating in the following year. They got married on November 9, 2002. Trevor was born in 2004, and Brianna arrived in 2005.
Stacy Wakefield has been actively involved in charitable work, just like her husband. She collaborated with Wakefield Warriors, an organization dedicated to helping children at the Franciscan Hospital for Children. Her dedication to philanthropy mirrors the generous path Wakefield pursued during his career and after retirement.
Wakefield and His Inspiring Cinematic Magnum Opus
After retiring in 2011, Wakefield and Dickey starred in a documentary called “Knuckleball!” in 2012. This film, directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, also focused on Niekro and Hough. Following the film’s release, Wakefield mentioned to The Newport Daily News that young knuckleball pitchers had a tough time getting drafted by MLB teams due to the focus on pitcher speed. He said they might get signed as free agents, but there was always doubt because of the unique pitch, and he felt the need to prove himself each year.
Wakefield’s Ascension to the Pinnacle of Renown
In 2012, he became an analyst for Red Sox games on NESN, and four years later, he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. He was deeply involved with the cancer-fighting Jimmy Fund during his career. Even in retirement, he served as an honorary chairman for the Red Sox Foundation.
The Red Sox nominated Wakefield eight times for the esteemed Roberto Clemente Award, and he won it in 2010. This award goes to the MLB player who best shows exceptional character, community engagement, charity work, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Just last week, Curt Schilling, the former Red Sox pitcher, shared on his podcast that Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, are dealing with cancer. The Red Sox released a statement, expressing concern that this information was made public without their consent.
The team emphasized that their health is a personal matter, and they wanted to keep it private as they handle treatment and confront the disease.
Wakefield’s son Trevor Wakefield mentioned he learned to throw the knuckleball from his father. He recalled that when his dad came home from work and he wanted to play catch, the knuckleball was a way to tire him out, suggesting it was time to stop playing.
