Did I see somewhere that Tim Wakefield is retiring? What a great career, being a converted 1st Baseman!
Quite a career based off of one pitch!
I hear he wanted to end his career and retire as a Red Sox Player.
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I just saw that on ESPN.
Man, I'm going to miss that knuckleball! Not many of his kind around anymore. A dying breed for sure.
Man, I'm going to miss that knuckleball! Not many of his kind around anymore. A dying breed for sure.
Only 6 wins behind Clemens for 1st. He should go one more year! Local guy who is much admired in the baseball community here.
A lot of hitters will be happy.
I had about 20+ at-bats off him.
I don't think I hit one ball past the mound.
It was like trying to catch a butterfly barehanded.
BaseballByTheYard
I had about 20+ at-bats off him.
I don't think I hit one ball past the mound.
It was like trying to catch a butterfly barehanded.
BaseballByTheYard
I heard Saltalamacchia ran to the bakery for the retirement cake before Wakefield could change his mind.
The Red Sox don't want him back. He isn't effective anymore. He absolutely lost it midseason last year. No one wants him. He didn't want to retire.quote:Originally posted by 2013 Dad:
Only 6 wins behind Clemens for 1st. He should go one more year! Local guy who is much admired in the baseball community here.
It was time for Wakefield to retire as wan't getting the job done. The guy was a true professional as he did everything he was asked to do and more for every manager he played for. He got the most out of his skills for a lot of years.
The first time I saw him pitch live, it felt like my jaw dropped to the ground. Simply incredible what he could do with a baseball. He was a fan favorite for sure with his charity work, and a leader in the clubhouse. He'll be missed.
The first time I saw him pitch live, it felt like my jaw dropped to the ground. Simply incredible what he could do with a baseball. He was a fan favorite for sure with his charity work, and a leader in the clubhouse. He'll be missed.
I'd rather not quibble over who wanted him to retire. He seemed to be a classy guy and was a terrific Red Sox pitcher.
In 1999, when the Red Sox toyed with us about tearing down Fenway, my wife and I flew to Boston to see a game. Before the game, we had lunch in a restaurant in Woburn, MA just north of Boston.
I was wearing my Red Sox hat and walked out of the bathroom noticing that a table of people were staring at me. One of them motioned to me as if they were going to ask me what time it was or something like that.
To my surprise, they asked me if I was Tim Wakefield. To this day, I am so angry at myself for not thinking faster and signing a bunch of autographs!
In 1999, when the Red Sox toyed with us about tearing down Fenway, my wife and I flew to Boston to see a game. Before the game, we had lunch in a restaurant in Woburn, MA just north of Boston.
I was wearing my Red Sox hat and walked out of the bathroom noticing that a table of people were staring at me. One of them motioned to me as if they were going to ask me what time it was or something like that.
To my surprise, they asked me if I was Tim Wakefield. To this day, I am so angry at myself for not thinking faster and signing a bunch of autographs!
As a fellow 45 year old with a bad back, I rooted for him. Right now, an athletic outting for me is walking to the curb to get the mail.
The thought of pitching BP is out of the question. To think he was pitching in the bigs last year was a great motivator.
He's also the ultimate team guy. There were times in the distant path on long road trips where they'd run him out there every three days because other guys were hurt. He could've pitched on a three day rotation back then. The guy could start, close, long relief, whatever they needed. He always took the ball.
I'm sorry to see him go and Tim, if you're ever in AZ give me a call and I'll buy you a beer.
The thought of pitching BP is out of the question. To think he was pitching in the bigs last year was a great motivator.
He's also the ultimate team guy. There were times in the distant path on long road trips where they'd run him out there every three days because other guys were hurt. He could've pitched on a three day rotation back then. The guy could start, close, long relief, whatever they needed. He always took the ball.
I'm sorry to see him go and Tim, if you're ever in AZ give me a call and I'll buy you a beer.
Wakefield is a good baseball story. Great guy who did nothing but good things on and off the field. What a story of overcoming the odds, about to be cut from his team (position player) but recommended by one Coach (that sawing him screwing around with the knuckle ball while in the outfield throwing) that he be kept, sent to the Instructional League as a knuckleball pitcher.
19 years later; he RETIRES! Not a bad outcome.
19 years later; he RETIRES! Not a bad outcome.
Wakefield was a good team player. He filled whatever role the Red Sox needed any season.