Tim Wakefield

From BR Bullpen

Timothy Stephen Wakefield (Wake)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 204 lb.
School Florida Institute of Technology
Debut July 31, 1992
Born August 2, 1966 in Melbourne, FL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Right handed-pitcher Tim Wakefield has played with the Boston Red Sox since 1995. He throws a specialty pitch, the knuckleball.

Wakefield, an eighth-round draft pick in 1988, began his minor league career as a corner infielder. He played this position until a scout told him that he would never get above AA ball with his skills. Wakefield then began experimenting with various other positions and developed the knuckleball that has made him so well known.

He started his major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992, and helped the Pirates make their last playoff appearance to date with an 8-1 record. He also went 2-0 in the playoffs versus the Atlanta Braves.

Wakefield had a poor year with the Pirates in 1993, though, and slipped even further while spending the 1994 season at Triple-A Buffalo. He turned his career around, however, when he signed as a free agent with the Red Sox in 1995. He won 16 games in his first year with the BoSox and helped them win a division title. His longevity and consistency have helped him quietly become one of the top pitchers in Red Sox history. Wakefield is currently the longest-serving member of the Boston team.

Over his career, Wakefield has pitched in multiple roles, including starter, middle reliever, and closer.

In the 2003 ALCS, Wakefield was one of the most formidable pitchers against the New York Yankees, allowing only three runs in 13 innings. He started Games 1 and 4 of the series, with the Red Sox winning both. He was also called in to pitch in extra innings of Game 7, after the Yankees tied the game (the Red Sox had been leading 5-2 in the eighth). 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 inning, sending the Yankees to the World Series. Wakefield apologized to fans after the game.

In 2004, Wakefield helped the Red Sox exact revenge by winning the ALCS against the Yankees, a best-of-seven series to advance to the World Series. He pitched Game 1 of the Series but did not get a decision as Boston defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 11-9, after a two-run home run from Mark Bellhorn in the eighth inning.

On April 19, 2005, Wakefield agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract extension through 2006 that gives the Red Sox the ability to keep their longest-tenured player for the rest of his career.

Wakefield opened 2007 with decisions in his first 26 starts, the longest streak since Jack McDowell had 27 in 1993.

The knuckleballer is closing in on 200 career wins in the majors. Still in his early 40s, he could well have a few more productive seasons ahead.

[edit] Notable Achievements

AL All-Star (2009)
1995 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award
15 Wins Seasons: 4 (1995, 1998, 2005 & 2007)
200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 5 (1996-1998, 2003 & 2005)
Won two World Series with the Boston Red Sox (2004 & 2007; he did not play in the 2007 World Series)