Wake waves goodbye
Ends 19-year career
By Scott Lauber
FORT MYERS — A few weeks ago, agent Barry Meister phoned Tim Wakefield [stats] with what he figured was only good news. A team had offered a major league contract to the 45-year-old knuckleballer.“All right,” Wakefield said, “but do they play in Boston?”
That was when Meister knew. Wakefield was thinking of retiring.
After 19 seasons in the majors, the last 17 with the Red Sox [team stats], Wakefield wanted to play for only one team. And new Sox general manager Ben Cherington wasn’t changing his position, guaranteeing no more than a minor league deal with an invitation to compete for a job in spring training.
Thus, after weeks of reflection, Wakefield stood in left field at the Red Sox’ new spring training ballpark yesterday, a replica Green Monster looming behind him and with family and at least a dozen teammates looking on, and called his decision to retire “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” which was saying something considering nothing in baseball ever came easy for him.
Drafted as an infielder in 1988, converted to a pitcher one year later and released by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1995, Wakefield racked up 186 wins for the Red Sox, trailing only Cy Young and Roger Clemens for the franchise record. He became the club’s all-time leader in innings (3,006) and starts (430), and he won two World Series championships.
But over the past two seasons, he lost his grip on a spot in the starting rotation, shuttling back and forth from the bullpen. Last year, he made eight unsuccessful bids for his 200th career victory before finally reaching the milestone Sept. 13 at Fenway Park [map].
His ERA since the All-Star break in 2009: 5.27.
“There is nothing that I want more than for this team to win,” Wakefield said, eyes watering and voice cracking, “and it’s hard sometimes to take yourself out of the decision process. But in my heart I feel that, by retiring, I’m giving them a better chance to do that.”
Without ever saying it, the Red Sox agreed.
Given the uncertainty at the back end of the rotation, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said he was “surprised” the club didn’t make Wakefield a one-year offer. But the implication was that relievers-turned-starters Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves or even injury reclamation projects Vicente Padilla, Aaron Cook or Carlos Silva would be better options for new manager Bobby Valentine.
“It had nothing to do with not wanting Tim Wakefield, the person, on the team,” Cherington said. “It was purely an objective decision about what we felt was in the best interests of putting the team together. My sense is that he didn’t agree with that, but he was always respectful in every conversation I had with him.”
In moments of honesty, Wakefield had his doubts.
“He said to me at one point, ‘Why have I had a 5.00 ERA through the last two seasons?’ ” Meister said. “I told him, ‘You have to answer that question. Is your body and baseball telling you you’re no longer pitching at the same level of effectiveness or is there something you can change? And how do you feel about it emotionally?’ ”
Physically, Wakefield feels fine. He had been working out since the end of last season and believed he was well-conditioned to make a team. Meister even suggested that a move to the National League, where hitters were less familiar with his knuckleball, could help revive his career.
But emotionally, Wakefield’s heart was at Fenway Park [map]. And if the Red Sox [team stats] didn’t want him, as Saltalamacchia said, “it kind of feels right” for Wakefield to step aside.
“I didn’t even get the chance to do the agent thing,” Meister said. “He just wanted to be here, and I think the last few days, he thought, ‘I know I can make this team, but I think it’ll be a distraction.’ It’s just the right time. He gets it.”
Said ace lefty Jon Lester [stats], “I don’t think anybody could see him in any other uniform. I think that’s why it kind of came down to this. He didn’t want to pitch for any other team. I’m just glad that he did it the way he wanted to, and that’s all you can really ask for.”
And so, Wakefield thanked former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette for signing him in 1995, the club’s present ownership, and managers, coaches and teammates past and present. He even paid homage to fellow knuckleballers Phil and Joe Niekro, Charlie Hough and Tom Candiotti for “letting me into your fraternity.”
Seven wins from breaking the Red Sox’ career wins record, a milestone that former teammate Johnny Damon said “meant the world to him,” Wakefield is through with baseball.
“To be honest with you, seven wins aren’t going to make me a different person or a better man,” Wakefield said. “Ultimately, I think this is what was best for the Red Sox, what’s best for my family.”
After 19 years in the big leagues, including 15 with the Red Sox, Wakefield called it a career at the new JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.
Commentary
I really don't write or post bloggs about athletes but this is an exception Tim Wakefield is a great role model for the youths out there to be inspired to be like God Bless you Timmy and Thanks for the great memories in Red Sox nation on and off the ball field.
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