Joe McDonald offers a personal tribute to the life of Tim Wakefield
When Tim Wakefield retired from baseball in February 2012, he was surrounded by his family and Red Sox teammates in the outfield grass at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.
It was a beautiful day at the new ballpark but bittersweet for a veteran knuckleball pitcher who spent 17 impressive seasons with the Red Sox and accomplished great things, including two World Series titles. Wakefield stood in the plush, green grass, wore a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie. His 2004 championship ring was secure on his right hand.
His wife, Stacy, wore a red dress and sat between the couple’s two children, Trevor and Brianna. Teammates and fellow pitchers Josh Beckett, Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, along with several Red Sox staff members attended Wakefield’s announcement.
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He stepped up to the podium and emotionally described his decision to retire.
“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, so it is with a heavy heart that I stand here today,” he said. “I’m saddened to say that I have decided to retire from this wonderful game of baseball.”
Wakefield was 45 when he retired. Not quite 12 years later, he died of cancer, on Oct. 1, 2023. Stacy Wakefield passed away from the same awful disease five months after her husband.
Tim and Stacy were legends in the community and stayed closely connected with the Red Sox during his “retirement” years.
The Red Sox honored Wakefield’s life and career with a brilliant and emotional tribute prior to the club’s home opener last week at Fenway Park. It was fitting that Brianna threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Gripping the ball the same way her dad did during his career with the Red Sox, Brianna then delivered the pitch to former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek.
Whether fans were in attendance or watching on television, there weren’t too many dry eyes around New England. I was unable to attend the pregame ceremonies, which also honored the 2004 World Series team, but I watched. Memories of covering Wakefield and getting to know him both on and off the field came fluttering back like one of his vintage pitches.
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Wakefield’s locker was in the corner of the Red Sox’ clubhouse only a few stalls from Varitek’s. Wakefield routinely sat with his legs crossed, trying to figure out that day’s crossword puzzle. If you approached him, he would look up, glance over the top of his glasses in grandfatherly fashion, wondering why you would bother him. It was comical but he was always gracious with his time.
In 2006, Charlie Zink was knuckleball pitcher for the Pawtucket Red Sox. He always talked about how Wakefield served as a mentor. It was the same season the Red Sox reacquired Doug Mirabelli and arranged a state-police escort for the veteran catcher from Logan Airport to Fenway Park. He served as Wakefield’s personal battery mate from mid-2001 through 2005.
Josh Bard was appointed Wakefield’s personal catcher during spring training in ’06, but was unable to handle that role. After Bard allowed 10 passed balls in five games, the Red Sox sent him, along with pitcher Cla Meredith, to the Padres in order to bring Mirabelli back to Boston.
Thinking about this reminded me of how difficult it is to catch a knuckleball.
To find out, Zink once agreed to let me catch one of his bullpen sessions at McCoy Stadium. Sporting full catcher’s gear, including a cup and an oversized mitt, I thought I was ready. Zink tossed 10 knuckleballs my way. The first few I received with ease, but once Zink was warm, I had no chance catching the last few.
My original idea was for a story about Zink and Wakefield and to compare the two. When I approached the veteran knuckler at his locker in the Red Sox clubhouse, he looked at me over his glasses, and when I told him I caught Zink’s bullpen, I suddenly had Wakefield’s attention.
He asked how it went and after I described the experience, I asked if it would be possible to catch one of his bullpen sessions to compare the two pitchers. He laughed and said, “I don’t think so.”
Wakefield always treated me well, but after he read my Zink story, our working relationship changed for the better.
The following spring training, after a long day at the ballpark, I went to a popular spot in Fort Myers for dinner. Wakefield was eating with a group of friends when I walked in. I sat at the bar on the other side of the restaurant, ate a full-course meal and enjoyed a couple of libations. When I asked for the bill, the bartender said, “It’s all set. Mr. Wakefield took care of it.”
I thanked him the next morning in the clubhouse, told him it wasn’t necessary and I would return the favor one day, which I eventually did. After I picked up his tab, he nodded his head as a thank you.
Another time, the Red Sox were in Baltimore for a series against the Orioles. Again, I visited an establishment after a game and Wakefield was already there with some teammates. I sat down and when he walked by, he said hello, tapped me on the shoulder and left. Suddenly, I was surrounded by Red Sox fans, wanting to know who I was and why Wakefield said hello to me. He laughed when I told him the next day that fans had bought me beers because he acknowledged me.
During his retirement, Wakefield attended an annual Boston Baseball Writers’ Dinner one winter. He made it a point to spend time with the writers at the post-event party. His stories were always entertaining. He was always kind and generous to me and others on the Red Sox beat.
He didn’t deserve to leave this world so soon. Last week, he was remembered for a life well-lived and for an impressive baseball career in Boston.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Remembering Tim Wakefield from a reporter's point of view
