(Actually, there are four. With Wakefield set to take the mound that night, Mirabelli was rushed to the stadium with a police escort, even changing into his uniform and catcher's gear in the back of the police car.How's that for a knuckleballer's importance? [1] He worked with Phil and Joe Niekro, two former knuckleballers, who encouraged him to use the knuckleball as an out pitch. [21] His success on the mound had him atop the major leagues with 10 wins at the time of the 2009 All Star selection. During the first month of the 1993 season, Wakefield walked nine batters twice and ten in another start. [38], Tim met his wife, Stacy Stover, in Massachusetts. Similarity Scores. Position: Pitcher Bats: Right • Throws: Right 6-2, 210lb (188cm, 95kg) Born: August 2, 1966 in Melbourne, FL us. It's how Wakefield came to be. This also revealed some of his pitches to hitters, because they can see his hand. Hall of Fame advice from Tim Wakefield . Posted on January 17, 2017; by David M. Brown; in Physics, Tim Wakefield; Michael Clair makes the case for inducting knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield into the Hall of Fame at m.mlb.com’s Cut Four. Former MLB All-Star Pitcher Career Highlights: Best known for his signature knuckleball pitch, former MLB All-Star Tim Wakefield was instrumental in helping the Boston Red Sox win two World Series titles. Victor Martinez was acquired by the Red Sox on July 31, 2009, and began catching for Wakefield on August 26, 2009. Wakefield also featured a 71–75 mph fastball, a slow curve (57-61 mph), and a slower version of his knuckleball (59-62 mph). You can find the Eau Gallie High grad in the Florida Tech baseball Hall of Fame for his 1987 school record of 22 home runs and multiple MVP awards. [2][3], Wakefield was nominated eight times for the Roberto Clemente Award, winning it in 2010. After being moved back into the rotation in late July 2002, Wakefield became a permanent regular starter. -- Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst "I have always admired Tim Wakefield, as he plays baseball with a great deal of integrity, the way the game should be played. Because of the difficulty of catching a knuckleball, the Red Sox sometimes carried a backup catcher who specialized in defense and who caught most or all of Wakefield's starts. [14], In 2007, he finished the season with a 17–12 record but was left off the Red Sox roster for the World Series due to an injured shoulder that had been bothering him since late September. In a high-scoring environment, his rubber arm made him a useful innings-eater … Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses ; Name + "Statistics" Translations. It took Wakefield eight attempts to earn his 200th career win after his 199th, finally doing so in an 18–6 rout over the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 13, 2011. SEE MORE: Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2021, Special Recognition and Team of the Year. He was recalled in September and struggled again, but finished the season with two straight shutouts. What matters more when you're in the hall of fame? Wakefield was inducted into the Florida Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in 1998. The Red Sox beat the Yankees and went on to the World Series. Draft: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 8th round of the 1988 MLB … On May 12, Wakefield recorded his 2000th career strikeout against Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays in a 3–2 loss. Due to the designated hitter rule, Wakefield only batted for the Red Sox when playing in National League parks. Timothy Stephen Wakefield (born August 2, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. [1] When he retired, Wakefield was the oldest active player in the majors. On April 19, 2005, Wakefield agreed to a $4 million, one-year "rolling" contract extension that gave the Red Sox the ability to keep Wakefield for the rest of his career. The Red Sox had been leading 5–2 in the eighth inning. Michael Clair He went on to carry a no-hitter into the eighth inning, and earned a complete-game win. Injuries to John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka moved him into the starting rotation. Tim Wakefield didn’t originally enter the MLB as a pitcher but once in the Pirates system he began… And while Wakefield could have asked for more money, and plenty of other teams would have been happy to utilize his ability to pitch almost every day (and twice on Sundays), he remained amazingly loyal to the Red Sox. BOSTON (CBS) — A pair of two-time World Series champs will be enshrined in the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2016. In 1988, he was drafted in the eighth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Florida Tech as a power-hitting first baseman. [17] On April 15, 2009, a day after the Red Sox bullpen was tasked with pitching over 11 innings of relief, Wakefield told Terry Francona: "I understand the circumstances and I just wanted you to know: Whatever happens, don't take me out; let me keep going." Catanese, Stottler and Wakefield inducted Friday night. After retiring the side in order in the 10th, Wakefield gave up a home run to Aaron Boone on his first pitch of the 11th, sending the Yankees to the World Series. (Photo by Josh Haunschild/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Actually, though, Clair argues more broadly, if only semi-seriously that, “every dipsy-doodler tosser should be in the Hall.” A closer look at his key stats also reveals a career that was not worthy of the ultimate award for a baseball player: induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Eric Chesterton Matt Monagan Tim Wakefield. You’re Tim Wakefield and you are a record holder in the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Wakefield began his pitching career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but is most remembered for his 17-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox, from 1995 till his retirement in 2012 as the longest-serving player on the team. Knuckleball pitchers are traditionally believed to be able to pitch more frequently and for more pitches per game than conventional pitchers. Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and the late Ira Flagstead have been selected as the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees, the club announced Monday. For me he is short of the Hall, but not all that much short. You know, pretty much peak knuckleballer. The forever renewing contractFans love players that stay with a team. Hall of Fame Statistics. COCOA BEACH, Fla. (Athletics News) – Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese, former head men’s soccer coach Rick Stottler and former baseball player Tim Wakefield were inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Friday night at the Cocoa Beach Country Club. With the Pirates leading the Braves in Game Seven, Wakefield was poised to be named NLCS MVP until the Braves rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth off Stan Belinda.[8]. Also, because of the relatively low wear on their pitching arms, knuckleball pitchers tend to have longer professional careers than most other pitchers. He was named to the SSC Silver Anniversary Team in 2002. Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and the late Ira Flagstead have been selected as the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees, the club announced Monday. Wakefield has also been active with New England's Pitching in for Kids organization (a program dedicated to improving the lives of children across the New England region), the Space Coast Early Intervention Center in Melbourne, Florida, and the Touch 'Em All Foundation founded by Garth Brooks. He became, at 44 years, 282 days, the oldest player ever to appear for the Red Sox. Tim Wakefield, Class: Induction: 1998 Sport(s): Baseball - Tim Wakefield - Florida Tech, BaseballAfter Tim Wakefield (1998) - Hall of Fame - Sunshine State Conference Skip To Main Content Reddit; Pocket; Flipboard; Email; Elsa/Getty Images. In Game Five, Wakefield again pitched out of the bullpen and was the winning pitcher in a 14-inning game, throwing three shutout innings as the Red Sox won 5–4. Well, I for one think that Ryan is wrong on this one. BOSTON, MA – MAY 20: Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield is introduced during a Red Sox Hall of Fame Class of 2016 ceremony before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians on May 20, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. On August 10, 1999, he joined a select group of pitchers who have struck out four batters in one inning. [33] Since 1998, Wakefield has partnered with the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston to bring patients to Fenway Park to share time with him on and off the field. The victory came at a time when the Red Sox were in dire need of wins, with the Tampa Bay Rays gaining substantial ground in the race for the American League wild card as Boston fell four games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East division standings. At the time of his retirement, Tim Wakefield was 7th on the all-time hit batters list. Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield were teammates for 15 years. WATCH: Tim Wakefield Talks About His 2012 Induction into Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame By Space Coast Daily // December 29, 2019 Hall of Fame Class of 2020 to be inducted May 8 With the Boston Red Sox rotation struggling from injuries to top of the rotation starters Roger Clemens and Aaron Sele early in the 1995 season, Wakefield was called up from Triple A, and soon proved to be their most dependable starter. Josh Bard briefly caught Wakefield during the first month of the 2006 season, before Boston reacquired Mirabelli on May 1 after trading him to San Diego the previous offseason. Wakefield began his pitching career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but is most remembered for his 17-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox, from 1995 till his retirement in 2012 as the longest-serving player on the team. Martinez became Wakefield's catcher once more when he returned. [9] The Pirates released Wakefield on April 20, 1995.[10]. Limited edition Soundwaves Artwork created from the audio of The Script’s iconic “Hall of Fame.” Every print is hand signed by Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, Glen Power and Soundwaves Art creator, Tim Wakefield. Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and the late Ira Flagstead have been selected as the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees, the club announced Monday. •, Competition, joy and a little pain: Beep Baseball is a world of freedom for blind athletes, By [34], In 2013, the Red Sox named Wakefield Honorary Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation. During their tenure with the Red Sox, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield … He was nominated eight times by the Red Sox for the Roberto Clemente Award, presented to the player who best reflects the spirit of giving back to the community, winning the award in 2010. Wakefield led the team with a 10–3 record through June 27. While Wakefield struggled to reach 200 victories -- something that only 93 pitchers since 1901 have ever done -- they stuck with him. Boston eventually missed the playoffs by one game, and Wakefield ended the season at 7–8 with a 5.12 ERA. At Florida Tech, he was named the Panthers team MVP as a first baseman in his sophomore and junior years. In 2007, Wakefield released a charity wine called CaberKnuckle, in association with Longball Vineyards, with 100% of the proceeds supporting Pitching in for Kids; the wine raised more than $100,000. [12] Derek Lowe started Game Four in his place which the Red Sox ultimately won. News, analysis and updates about the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame. Former Red Sox players Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, and the late Ira Flagstead have been selected as the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees. Wins, strikeouts, shutouts, or best knuckleball? I was going to skip Tim Wakefield, but he had a pretty decent career. Tim Wakefield Is Not a Hall of Fame Pitcher. He even gave up his own start to save the bullpen in Game 3, while the Red Sox were being blown out.Boston made the World Series next in 2007. I suggest joining. On June 13, Wakefield joined Moyer and Pettitte as the only active pitchers with 3,000 innings pitched. Salaries. BOSTON, MA – MAY 20: Former Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, President & CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino, and former pitcher Tim Wakefield pose for a photograph during a Red Sox Hall of Fame Class of 2016 ceremony before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians on May 20, 2016 at Fenway … Players that may not have the on-field resume, but deserve an impassioned Hall of Fame case nonetheless. •, The Metropolitan Museum of Art has one of the best baseball card collections in the world
thanks to one man, By [6], In 1992, Wakefield began the season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the American Association. In June 2012, Wakefield joined NESN as a studio analyst for Red Sox coverage. Six days after being released from the Pirates, Wakefield was signed by the Boston Red Sox. Wakefield began his career with Pittsburgh in 1992, but spent the majority of his MLB career (17 seasons) with the Red Sox (1995-2011). Wakefield finished his Red Sox career third in wins (behind Roger Clemens and Cy Young), second in strikeouts (behind Clemens), second in game appearances by a pitcher (behind reliever Bob Stanley), first in games started as a pitcher, and first in innings pitched. Wakefield's primary pitch, the knuckleball, is normally thrown about 64–68 mph and has a great deal of variance in how much it 'flutters'. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in Hall of Fame? [11] He began the season with a 1.65 ERA and a 14–1 record through 17 games, 6 of which were complete games. [5], Wakefield was drafted as a second baseman in 1988 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Share All sharing options for: Hall of Fame Poll: Tim Wakefield. Peak 11% Longevity 89% Articles Mentioning Tim Wakefield. Wakefield won both of his starts against Braves star Tom Glavine, throwing a complete game 5-hitter in Game Three of the NLCS and another complete game in Game Six on three days' rest. Wakefield missed the next six weeks with a lower back and calf injury. Posted by Rich Stowe on June 16, 2011. One week ago today, Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell, and Ivan Rodriguez collected a combined 1,097 votes en route to the Hall of Fame. The likes of Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines -- and even first-timers like Vladimir Guerrero or Pudge Rodriguez -- shouldn't have too much trouble racking up National Baseball Hall of Fame votes. Whereas other players might have given up, Wakefield pulled himself up by his knuckleball to play in 19 Major League seasons.Today, let's make a case for his Hall of Fame inclusion.The KnuckleballHow many knuckleballers are in the Hall of Fame? Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Ira Flagstead and Larry Lucchino will comprise the 2016 class of the Red Sox Hall of Fame.The honorees, selected by a 14-person panel and revealed today by the team, will be inducted May 19 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and celebrated the following day in a pregame cerem… www.bostonherald.com. ... for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield; Josh Thole for knuckleballer R. A. Dickey; Injury. I joined the baseball hall of fame today. Tim Wakefield’s major league career also began in 1992. May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees (L to R) Jason Varitek, Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield throw out the … On June 8, Wakefield passed Roger Clemens for the most innings pitched by a Red Sox pitcher. Wakefield announced his retirement on February 17, 2012.[28]. In 2011, Wakefield began the season in the bullpen and both Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek caught him when he entered games. 220 wins is going to be a pretty high number in the current baseball era. [23] Wakefield did not see action in St. Louis, as he was not needed by Joe Maddon. Drafted as a first baseman, Wakefield struggled to crack the Mendoza line in the Minors, and he soon turned to the knuckleball his father taught him.Quickly successful with a low-effort, high-60s knuckler, Wakefield's first start was a complete-game, 10-strikeout, five-walk affair. Tim Wakefield Hall Of Fame. Former Red Sox players Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and the late Ira Flagstead have been selected as the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees, the team announced Monday. He registered a league-high 6 complete games by July 31—winning 10 games with a 3.06 ERA—and was called up to the majors. JAWS and the 2017 Hall of Fame ballot: Sammy Sosa. Answer: Not enough. The catcher is the most physically demanding position in baseball, more so than the pitcher. Wakefield's 2011 season was followed in the documentary film Knuckleball! Wakefield entered his 16th season with the Boston Red Sox in 2010. He attended Eau Gallie High School and then attended Florida Tech. On September 11, 2005, he set a career high in strikeouts (12) in a 1–0 complete game loss to the New York Yankees. )Every dipsy-doodler tosser should be in the Hall. [15], The 12 passed balls while he was pitching topped the majors in 2008. Wakefield spent most of his 19 seasons (1992–93, '95–2011) as the majors' primary devotee to the knuckleball. When I looked at Bleacher Report this morning, one article caught my eye. After 16 seasons Wakefield was voted to his first All-Star team this past week. Tim Wakefield is not going to the Hall of Fame. When he retired, Wakefield was the oldest active player in the majors. Dmitriy Ioselevich asked the question, "Is Tim Wakefield a Hall of Famer?" The Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan stated in his column that Tim would not be elected to the Hall of Fame. Bard allowed three passed balls in Wakefield's first start and had 10 after just five games.So on May 1 -- just one month into the experiment -- Bard was traded to the Padres to bring back Mirabelli. He later rejoined the rotation due to an injury to Josh Beckett. The 2020 Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame Inductees; The 2020 Fictitious Contributor Inductees; The 2020 Fictitious Veterans Inductees; Menu . He began the year in the starting rotation until Daisuke Matsuzaka came off the disabled list. Wakefield just doesn't have the numbers a hall of famer does. He finished third in the AL Cy Young Award balloting. Tim Wakefield Position Pitcher Years 1992-2011 Hall Rating 59 Next Ballot Tim Wakefield is next eligible for the Hall of Fame via the Today’s Game Era Committee in 2028. [18] At 42, this made him the oldest Red Sox pitcher to pitch a complete game, a record he would break himself in his next start when he pitched a second consecutive complete game win, this time in a seven-inning, rain-shortened game.[19]. Known for his signature knuckleball, Wakefield won his 200th career game on September 13, 2011, against the Toronto Blue Jays, and is third on the Boston Red Sox with 186 team victories, behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens. This spring, the Red Sox will induct two members of The 25 into the team's Hall of Fame. BOSTON -- Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield, two invaluable members of Boston's 2004 World Series championship team, have been elected as 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees. Wakefield was well known throughout Major League Baseball as one of its most charitable players. Kerriann Kelleher The Patriot Ledger kelleherTPL Monday Sep 21, 2020 at 12:01 AM. The tearsAfter giving up Aaron Boone's series-winning home run in the 2003 ALCS, Wakefield was afraid that Red Sox Nation would think of him as another Bill Buckner. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please report any suggested corrections. His immediate success led to a full conversion to pitcher in 1990, and he led the Carolina League in starts and innings pitched. Schalk's career batting average of .253 is the lowest of any position player in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Red Sox lost the first two games of the ALCS and were losing badly in Game Three when Wakefield asked to be put into the game to save the other pitchers for the next day. MAKING SOME HISTORY: Tim Wakefield celebrates his 200th career victory in 2011 with catcher Jason Varitek, and now both players will highlight the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame … Wakefield pitched with what is said to be a slow sidearm motion, but is actually a ¾-overhand motion. On July 2, he surpassed Clemens for another record, this for starts at Fenway; he went 8 innings to win 3–2 over the Baltimore Orioles. [30] In his first two weeks with the Red Sox, Wakefield pitched a total of 33 1⁄3 innings, including two complete games in addition to a 7 1⁄3-inning emergency start on just two days' rest. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in Hall of Fame? Tim Wakefield, an exclusive Blue Sky client, is considered by many to be one of the greatest knuckleball pitchers to have ever played baseball. George Kottaras became his personal catcher in 2009. Posts about Hall of Fame written by rickycan. •, Where to live in New York if you've just come into $324 million. Tim Wakefield Position Pitcher Years 1992-2011 Hall Rating 59 Next Ballot Tim Wakefield is next eligible for the Hall of Fame via the Today’s Game Era Committee in 2028. Peak 11% Longevity 89% Articles Mentioning Tim Wakefield. Tim Wakefield pitched on consecutive days, when most starting pitchers in the 21st century throw after four days of rest. Explanation of Similarity Scores; Transactions. WATCH: Tim Wakefield talks about his induction into the first class of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Former Red Sox players Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, and the late Ira Flagstead have been selected as the 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tim Wakefield What do you get when you combine a block party and a baseball league? Joining … In his major league debut, Wakefield threw a complete game against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out 10 batters while throwing 146 pitches. Fortunately, the tables would turn -- he was an important part of the historic 2004 World Series-winning team. Wakefield helped the Red Sox win the 2004 and 2007 World Series, made the All-Star team in 2009, and won 200 games in his 17-year career. 1 decade ago. Martinez experimented catching Wakefield's pitches with various gloves and mitts before settling on a first baseman's mitt. [6], The following season, Wakefield made his professional pitching debut while playing for the Single-A Salem Buccaneers. No, because even though he may have one of the best knuckle-balls, he does not have enough wins. He set single-season records with 22 home runs, as well as the career home run record at 40. While every team now requires triple-digit heat to pitch in the ninth, the Red Sox utilized the antithesis of that in 1999.While it makes sense that a pitch whose success depends upon wind currents and the vagaries of luck wasn't a long-term solution, Wakefield still racked up an impressive 15 saves that year.Like when Wakefield worked two innings and got Mark McLemore to pop out to end the game: The Doug Mirabelli IncidentPlenty of knuckleballers have seen their place of employment change not because of any problem they've experienced on the mound, but because a new star catcher is acquired who is unable to handle the stresses of catching the pitch is acquired. In 1997, he led Major League Baseball by hitting 16 batters with a pitch. After Jon Lester won Game 4, helping the Sox sweep Rockies, reliever Mike Timlin made sure that the veteran pitcher knew he was a beloved and valued member of the team. Wakefield just doesn't have the numbers a hall of famer does. As far as the one the Red Sox have invented, he’s a total no-brainer. In August 2015, Wakefield signed on as a spokesperson for Farmington Bank by making appearances at branch grand openings and television, radio and print advertisements. But there are plenty of other players on the 2017 ballot who require a little more voter-cajoling. [40][41], Wakefield pitching for the Red Sox in 2006, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders, List of oldest Major League Baseball players, List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders, The Inside Pitch: Wakefield knuckles up ninth win, Tim Wakefield: Biography and Career Highlights | redsox.com: Players, http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1593745.html, July 31, 1992 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates Play by Play and Box Score, "BASEBALL; Recalled Players Try to Get Pay Back", https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2WcQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=io0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2099,2357516&dq=tim+wakefield, "Red Sox, Tim Wakefield agree to contract extension", Red Sox leave Wakefield off World Series Roster, "2008 Major League Baseball Baserunning/Situ", "Boston Red Sox – Red Sox pick up option on Wakefield – Boston.com", "Bid at no-hitter just part of Tim Wakefield's story", "Red Sox 10, Twins 1: Wakefield goes distance in rain-shortened 7-inning game", "Wakefield on top of it all in beating Braves", https://web.archive.org/web/20090707055915/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/wires/07/04/2010.ap.bbo.baseball.today.1st.ld.writethru.2056/, "Wakefield leads Sox All-Star contingent", "After 11th win, Tim Wakefield deserves nod in AL", "Bautista hits 48th HR, Blue Jays beat Red Sox 11-9", "The Art of the Flutter: 'Knuckleball!' Bisk College of Business, Class of 1989 . Last night, the Boston Red Sox added Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield… Posted on January 17, 2017; by David M. Brown; in Physics, Tim Wakefield; Michael Clair makes the case for inducting knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield into the Hall of Fame at m.mlb.com’s Cut Four. But … (Josh Haunschild/Getty Images), Yasiel Puig needed a few seconds to process an R.A. Dickey knuckleball. January 25, 2017, by Luis Medina Baseball Is Fun. Though he had just two other seasons in which he finished with an ERA below 4.00, he threw at … The Hall of Fame Case: Tim Wakefield NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 20: Retired Pitcher Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox acts in a skit at the MLB Fan Cave located on Broadway and 4th Street on September 20, 2012 in New York City. Tim Wakefield was a right-handed pitcher from Melbourne, Florida. in Physics, Tim Wakefield Michael Clair makes the case for inducting knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield into the Hall of Fame at m.mlb.com’s Cut Four . Wakefield experienced that in 2006 when the Red Sox traded Doug Mirabelli to the Padres and brought in Josh Bard to caddy for him. Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, the late Ira Flagstead, and Larry Lucchino will join the Red Sox Hall of Fame, the team announced Monday. In 1999, Boston's closer Tom Gordon was injured and manager Jimy Williams installed Wakefield as the new closer during the middle part of the season. It was a deal that the Red Sox used through 2009, before Wakefield took pay cuts in his final two seasons to remain in Boston.In the end, the team paid it back. Source(s): https://shrinke.im/a0xeu. [22] By the All Star break, Wakefield possessed a major league-best 11–3 record. After losing his spot in the starting rotation, Wakefield was sent down to Double-A. I also have gone back to collecting autographs through the mail. In the later years of his career, the Red Sox generally treated Wakefield more like conventional pitchers in terms of pitch count, rarely allowing him to pitch more than about 110 pitches per game, and giving him four days of rest. In 2016, Wakefield was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. Because of his success out of the bullpen, Wakefield was regularly moved from the position of relief pitcher to starter and back again over the next three seasons (2000–2002). Players like ...Timothy Stephen Wakefield. He was also called in to pitch in extra innings of Game Seven, after the Yankees tied the game. [13] In the 2005 season, Wakefield led the Red Sox pitching staff with 16 wins and a 4.15 ERA. He would repeat this feat in 2001 plunking a career-high 18 batters. The flutter of his knuckleball depended on a variety of factors including temperature, humidity, precipitation (both type and intensity), air resistance, wind speed, wind direction, the condition of the ball, and very small changes in his grip or the orientation of the seams. [16], Wakefield entered his 15th season with the Boston Red Sox in 2009. Outfielder Ira Flagstead -- a defensive specialist from the 1920s -- is the third player in this year's class, which also includes former club president/CEO Larry Lucchino. What matters more when you're in the hall of fame? Tim Wakefield received just one. He started Games One and Four of the Series against Mike Mussina and won both starts. Wakefield advanced to Double-A in 1991 and continued to improve, leading all Pirates minor leaguers in wins, innings pitched, and complete games when he went 15–8 with a 2.90 ERA. It frankly doesn’t get more ‘Red Sox’ than Varitek and Wakefield. 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