Key takeaways:
- Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first baseman, Tim Wakefield later converted to a pitcher after mastering the knuckleball in the minor leagues.
- Wakefield helped the Red Sox win their curse-busting World Series title in 2004.
- The Red Sox organization expressed their condolences in a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tim Wakefield. He was a beloved member of the Red Sox family and a pillar of the community.”
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield has passed away at the age of 59. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
Wakefield was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first baseman, setting home run records in college. He later converted to a pitcher after mastering the knuckleball in the minor leagues. Relying on the old-timey pitch, Wakefield went on to become a workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff.
In 2003, Wakefield gave up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the playoffs. However, he bounced back the following year to help the Red Sox win their curse-busting World Series title.
Wakefield had been battling brain cancer, according to former teammate Curt Schilling who outed the illness on a podcast last week. The Red Sox confirmed an illness at the time but did not elaborate, saying Wakefield had requested privacy.
The Red Sox organization expressed their condolences in a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tim Wakefield. He was a beloved member of the Red Sox family and a pillar of the community.”
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