A sad day in New England on Sunday, as it was announced that former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield has passed away from cancer at age 57.
The club announced his death in a statement. Wakefield had brain cancer, according to former teammate Curt Schilling, who disclosed the illness on a podcast last week without the consent of the former knuckleballer. The Red Sox confirmed an illness at the time but did not elaborate, saying Wakefield had requested privacy.
The right handed workhorse of the Boston pitching staff famously bounced back after giving up a season-ending homerun to Aaron Boone and the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, to help the Red Sox win its curse-busting World Series title the following year. He also was part of the 2007 World Championship team. He earned 200 career wins, 186 with Boston, becoming the oldest player to do so at age 45 when he reached the milestone in 2011. He announced his retirement from baseball the following spring training.
“It’s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it’s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both,” Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said in the team’s statement.
“I know the world was made better because he was in it”, David Ortiz posted on social media, “I can’t describe what you mean to me and my family. My heart is broken right now because l will never be able to replace a brother and a friend like you….Rest and peace my brother.”
Wakefield is survived by his wife Stacy, who is also battling cancer, and their two children Trevor and Brianna.
Story by Chris Lessner/Photo courtesy of Marc Calnan
