Tim Wakefield has baffled American League East hitters over parts of the past three decades. Not only would they be left shaking their heads, but all would be aggravated by their inability to hit such a slow and enticing offering. After 19 seasons and countless knuckleballs, Wakefield formally announced his retirement yesterday evening at the Red Sox Spring Training facility.
Wakefield entered the offseason fresh off his 200th victory and a Red Sox collapse. While it would have been simple to walk away after reaching the milestone, the 45-year-old expressed a desire to return for yet another season.
Where does Tim Wakefield rank among Red Sox pitching greats? Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE
But another reunion wasn’t in the cards. Boston had other plans, and didn’t view Wakefield a part of theirs in 2012. Others teams had interest in the right-hander, but Wakefield held out for the Red Sox to change their minds. It didn’t happen, and Wakefield decided yesterday to officially stop playing the game he loved so much.
This love was evident in his farewell speech. Wakefield’s voice cracked several times, and the veteran noted that the event was the hardest things he’s had to do in his life. While he hoped to pitch in Boston for at least one more season, Wakefield said that he will now be able to focus more on his wife and two children.
After a strong rookie campaign with the Pirates in 1992, Wakefield went on to struggle through the ’93 season. The right-hander didn’t appear in the majors in 1994, and was eventually released by the Pirates.
The Red Sox signed Wakefield as a reclamation project of sorts in 1995. The right-hander went on to reward Boston for giving him the opportunity. In his first season with the Red Sox, Wakefield won 16 games and maintained an ERA of 2.95, allowing him to finish third in the American League Cy Young voting.
His ERA rarely reached as low as it did in ’95 throughout the rest of his career, but there is no doubt that Wakefield was a steady presence on the Red Sox staff over parts of three decades. Wakefield won at least 10 games in 11 of his 17 seasons with the Red Sox, and finishes his career with a 4.41 ERA and 1.350 WHIP.
Some feel that Wakefield may receive a call this summer if the Red Sox deal with injuries or poor performances. Still, if this is truly the end of Wakefield’s run as a major league starter, where do you think the knuckleballer ranks among Red Sox and baseball’s greats?
For more on the Red Sox, be sure to check out BoSox Injection.
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Tags: Boston Red Sox, Tim Wakefield
Blaine joined the crew in April of 2011. He covers current news and notes from around the baseball world for Call to the Pen.
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[...] Call to the Pen [...]
[...] on the 2012 season. One of said items was checked off the list when Tim Wakefield announced his decision to retire Friday evening. The Red Sox are left waiting on a another decision by another veteran player, [...]
[...] Earlier this month it was long-time teammate Tim Wakefield. Now, after waiting for a call to come this offseason, former Boston Red Sox captain Jason Varitek has decided to hang ‘em up. It’s being reported that the 39-year-old has elected to retire from the game of baseball and will make his announcement Thursday. [...]