“At the moment we misplaced one of many good ones.”
A number of tributes have poured in for Tim Wakefield after information broke of his passing on Sunday. (Barry Chin / The Boston Globe
Whether or not or not it’s his former teammates out on the baseball diamond or the numerous others that he impacted throughout the higher Boston neighborhood, Tim Wakefield was honored by quite a few tributes on Sunday shortly after information of his passing was introduced. The beloved knuckleball pitcher was 57.
Our hearts are damaged with the lack of Tim Wakefield.
Wake embodied true goodness; a loyal husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the last word neighborhood chief. He gave a lot to the sport and all of Pink Sox Nation.
Wakefield pitched for the Pink Sox group for 17 seasons (1995-2011), profitable two World Sequence titles in 2004 and 2007.
Wakefield is the all-time Pink Sox chief in begins (430) and innings pitched (3,006). He ranks second in franchise historical past in pitching appearances (590) and strikeouts (2,046), behind Bob Stanley (637 video games) and Roger Clemens (2,590 strikeouts). He’s third in membership historical past with 186 wins, trailing solely Clemens and Cy Younger (192 every).
Alongside along with his achievements on the sphere, Wakefield gained the 2010 Roberto Clemente Award, given yearly to the MLB participant who “finest exemplifies the sport of baseball, sportsmanship, neighborhood involvement and the person’s contribution to his staff.”
Listed below are just a few of the reactions and ideas shared by those that knew Wakefield, each from his taking part in days and his efforts in the neighborhood.
David Ortiz
“I can’t describe what you imply to me and my household, my coronary heart is damaged proper now as a result of l won’t ever be capable of change a brother and a pal such as you….Relaxation and peace my brother ”
Kevin Youkilis
“ He was an excellent competitor when he took that mound. He was only a nice teammate. Only a nice pal. Had the luxurious to play with him on the sphere. Within the sales space. Simply glad I had the chance over time to be alongside him. Simply an incredible husband, a father and a neighborhood individuals. He actually loved individuals. He actually cherished being round individuals. At the moment we misplaced one of many good ones.”
Alex Cora
“We misplaced a brother, a teammate, a member of the family. Stacy and youngsters, my condolences. We’re right here for them. Among the best teammates I ever had and this isn’t BS. This man was there for us on a regular basis. He was accountable. He was what a Boston Pink Sox ought to appear to be.
“All people had their jerseys [on[ in the dugout. It was a tribute to him because of all the guys I have played with, nobody wore his jersey with more pride than Tim Wakefield. It’s a tough day for all of us. I know it’s a tough day for you guys [media]. One other reminder that 162 is only a recreation. It’s only a freaking recreation. I noticed him Sept. 14. He went to my workplace. He was having his factor the subsequent day. And he was only a common man simply speaking to me, speaking about baseball. And he mentioned, ‘I’ll be advantageous. I’m going to be advantageous.’ And he’s advantageous. He’s advantageous.”
“We’ve numerous tales. We’ve a historical past collectively. Not solely with me, Tek (Jason Varitek), Ramón (Vázquez), all the fellows. A tragic day for us, a tragic day for the group. I’m glad that we went on the market and we performed a clear recreation. We pitched effectively. We form of represented Wake at this time. In that side, it was a enjoyable day and I used to be very pleased with this group to play all the way in which till the tip. And that’s one thing Wake did as a person, as a husband, as a father, as a participant. He performed all the way in which till the tip.”
“He was what a Boston Pink Sox ought to appear to be…No one wore his jersey with extra pleasure than Tim Wakefield.”
Alex Cora on former teammate Tim Wakefield, who handed away this morning on the age of 57. pic.twitter.com/fqnazxplH0
“It’s stunning, stunning. He was doing effectively after surgical procedure. To get that information at this time was arduous. He was clearly a pal, a teammate. The last word teammate… He was only a good human being. I’ve run into so many individuals which have informed me tales behind the scenes that he had executed for them, or for his or her households, that no one is aware of about. It’s not within the papers.
“He would do something for you. It was arduous, just a few weeks again, listening to about what he himself was going by personally, as a result of I knew he was going by lots along with his spouse. That was arduous however I knew he was doing higher for the reason that surgical procedure. This one right here at this time simply got here out of nowhere. It was stunning. I heard it and didn’t actually imagine it. It makes for an actual arduous day.”
Jason Varitek
“I don’t know if I must say something. I believe I’m exhibiting it. I’ve all the time mentioned it, Wake exemplifies what this uniform is. And it’s not simply within the identify on the again — it’s the identify on the entrance.
“It’s what he’s executed in the neighborhood. Methods he’s represented it. Methods he’s revered the sport, which matches on to the entire league of being a treasured a part of what we do is respect for the sport and on your place. He exemplifies what it means to be a Pink Sox and what it means to be an expert.”
Pedro Martinez
“I don’t have phrases, we have been collectively every week in the past, and I used to be so wanting ahead to being right here for you on this stretch I’ll miss you my teammate…my coronary heart hurts. Carolina and I’ll all the time be right here for your loved ones ”
Jonathan Papelbon
“Wake was an incredible pal, and teammate! An absolute legend that embodied what it means to be an @RedSox participant on the sphere and within the Boston neighborhood. I’m grateful and blessed to have had you in my life. Since my days as a younger child within the huge leagues to retirement and now working collectively @NESN you could have taught me greater than you’ll ever know in regards to the recreation of baseball and life. You’ll by no means be forgotten and dwell without end within the eyes and hearts of Pink Sox Nation.”
Wake was an incredible pal, and teammate! An absolute legend that embodied what it means to be an @RedSox participant on the sphere and within the Boston neighborhood. I’m grateful and blessed to have had you in my life. Since my days as a younger child within the huge leagues to retirement and now… pic.twitter.com/ydZOwPOgRw
“I’m utterly crushed, my pal of 23 years and 1st participant to take me beneath his wing my 1st season is gone. It was Wake who made me a Main Leaguer. He was arduous on me in a good way. Ideas and prayers to his stunning household.”
I’m utterly crushed, my pal of 23 years and 1st participant to take me beneath his wing my 1st season is gone. It was Wake who made me a Main Leaguer. He was arduous on me in a good way. Ideas and prayers to his stunning household. #RIPWake#ForeverThankfulpic.twitter.com/Z14Y6VdcV8
“My coronary heart is damaged and I’ve no phrases. RIP Wake. You have been one of many good ones and an excellent teammate. Pink Sox Nation will without end be grateful. Thanks on your friendship.”
My coronary heart is damaged and I’ve no phrases. RIP Wake. You have been one of many good ones and an excellent teammate. Pink Sox Nation will without end be grateful. Thanks on your friendship.
“Nicely…that is heartbreaking information. An ideal particular person, nice teammate, and nice {golfing} companion for a lot of of our taking part in years. I informed him many occasions taking part in alongside facet of him what an excellent competitor he’s. Hugs to his household and prolonged household. Miss you pal.”
Nicely…that is heartbreaking information. An ideal particular person, nice teammate, and nice {golfing} companion for a lot of of our taking part in years. I informed him many occasions taking part in alongside facet of him what an excellent competitor he’s. Hugs to his household and prolonged household. Miss you pal. https://t.co/d4hGBksIFc
“Devastating information about Tim Wakefield. I solely knew him off the sphere, however he was an excellent man. Class act. Gentleman. Our ideas exit to his household and all those that knew and cherished him.”
Devastating information about Tim Wakefield. I solely knew him off the sphere, however he was an excellent man. Class act. Gentleman. Our ideas exit to his household and all those that knew and cherished him. pic.twitter.com/z0e1uZWJWq
“Among the best individuals I’ve ever met. Wake, thanks for simply being you. You probably did it the appropriate means and we’re all higher having recognized you. Love you brother.”
Shortly after Wakefield’s passing, the Pink Sox posted a tribute video for his or her longtime pitcher — narrated by Joe Castiglione.
Charlie Baker
“Tim Wakefield was a gentleman. He reinvented himself as a ballplayer greater than as soon as & turned one of many gamers that broke the curse. He set an instance for us all & I’m grateful that he and his household made MA their dwelling. RIP Tim, we gained’t see one other such as you for a very long time. ”
Tim Wakefield was a gentleman. He reinvented himself as a ballplayer greater than as soon as & turned one of many gamers that broke the curse. He set an instance for us all & I’m grateful that he and his household made MA their dwelling. RIP Tim, we gained’t see one other such as you for a very long time.
“This one hurts. Tim Wakefield epitomized class, empathy, and devotion to his household, staff, and neighborhood. He will probably be really missed and my condolences to his household, buddies, and all who cherished him.”
This one hurts.
Tim Wakefield epitomized class, empathy, and devotion to his household, staff, and neighborhood.
He will probably be really missed and my condolences to his household, buddies, and all who cherished him. https://t.co/zrV9ZBIRks
“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of Tim Wakefield, one of the vital distinctive pitchers of his era and a key a part of essentially the most profitable period within the historical past of the Boston Pink Sox. Tim’s knuckleball allowed him to excel as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992. In 1995, he started a 17-year tenure in Boston, the place he made a mark that will probably be remembered without end. Tim was greater than only a versatile and dependable All-Star pitcher, a extremely revered teammate, and a two-time World Sequence Champion. In 2010, Tim was named the Roberto Clemente Award winner for the devoted work he and his household did serving the communities of New England.
“On behalf of Main League Baseball, I lengthen my deepest condolences to Tim’s household, his buddies and teammates throughout the sport, and Pink Sox followers in all places. We are going to proceed to assist our companions at Stand Up To Most cancers within the reminiscence of Tim and all those that are within the combat in opposition to this illness.”
George Kirby
Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby paid tribute to Wakefield by throwing one in every of his trademark knuckleball pitches throughout Seattle’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the Rangers on Sunday.
Kirby famous earlier this season that he needed so as to add the knuckleball to his pitching repertoire, with Sunday’s information standing as the right time to pay tribute to one of many league’s finest when it got here to that befuddling pitch.
“I cherished watching that man throw, despite the fact that he’s a Pink Sox participant and I’m a born Yankee fan,” Kirby mentioned, per MLB.com. “However yeah, it was an excellent day to throw it and I’m glad Seager missed it and didn’t take it deep. So, yeah that was enjoyable.”
“With the passing of Tim Wakefield at this time, who is aware of — baseball is a bizarre recreation that means,” Mariners supervisor Scott Servais added. “I do imagine within the baseball gods, and possibly that’s why it got here out at this time.”
Pink Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy
“It’s a uncommon incidence for a two-time World Sequence Champion’s extraordinary character to shine even brighter than their illustrious profession. Tim was undeniably an distinctive pitcher, however what really set him aside was the benefit with which he linked with individuals. He was a unprecedented pitcher, an unimaginable broadcaster, and somebody who exemplified each humanitarian high quality within the dictionary. I’ll miss my pal greater than something and may solely aspire to dwell as genuinely and honorably as he did.”
Pink Sox Chairman Tom Werner
“It’s one factor to be an excellent athlete; it’s one other to be a unprecedented human being. Tim was each. He was a task mannequin on and off the sphere, giving endlessly to the Pink Sox Basis and being a drive for good for everybody he encountered. I felt lucky to name him an in depth pal and together with all of us in Pink Sox Nation, I do know the world was made higher as a result of he was in it.”
NESN’s Tom Caron
“I’ve labored with Wake for the previous 12 years, and had the glory of protecting him for 17 seasons earlier than that. I’ve by no means met anybody who cherished the Pink Sox extra, or who higher understood easy methods to use the facility of sports activities to assist these in want. Completely gutted by his loss.”
I’ve labored with Wake for the previous 12 years, and had the glory of protecting him for 17 seasons earlier than that. I’ve by no means met anybody who cherished the Pink Sox extra, or who higher understood easy methods to use the facility of sports activities to assist these in want. Completely gutted by his loss.
— Tom Caron (blue checkmark redacted) (@TomCaron) October 1, 2023
Worcester Pink Sox
“We be part of all of Pink Sox Nation, and baseball followers in all places, in mourning the lack of Pink Sox Corridor of Famer Tim Wakefield. As nice because the knuckleballer was on the mound, he was a good higher human. We’ll miss Wake, however we’ll all the time cherish the 17 years of reminiscences he gave us.”
We be part of all of Pink Sox Nation, and baseball followers in all places, in mourning the lack of Pink Sox Corridor of Famer Tim Wakefield. As nice because the knuckleballer was on the mound, he was a good higher human. We’ll miss Wake, however we’ll all the time cherish the 17 years of reminiscences he gave us. https://t.co/1txf1KTuMX
“Such heartbreaking information. Sincerest sympathies to the Wakefield household and all who mourn his loss.”
Boston Bruins
“We be part of the Boston sports activities neighborhood in mourning the lack of Tim Wakefield and ship our deepest sympathies to Tim’s family members and all the Pink Sox and NESN household.”
We be part of the Boston sports activities neighborhood in mourning the lack of Tim Wakefield and ship our deepest sympathies to Tim’s family members and all the Pink Sox and NESN household. https://t.co/obFeb9K3GF
“We’re saddened to listen to of the passing of Pink Sox legend Tim Wakefield. Our condolences exit to the Wakefield household and Pink Sox group throughout this troublesome time.”
We’re saddened to listen to of the passing of Pink Sox legend Tim Wakefield. Our condolences exit to the Wakefield household and Pink Sox group throughout this troublesome time. https://t.co/xIUNPULtak
Following Wakefield’s passing, NESN.com’s Mike Cole posted a video of Mike Timlin praising Wakefield following Boston’s victory within the 2007 World Sequence.
This Mike Timlin-Tim Wakefield video from the 2007 World Sequence resonates much more now. Appeared like the best possible teammate you can have. pic.twitter.com/4A3hx6nEIi
“Boston Metropolis Corridor is lit in Pink Sox colours tonight in honor of Tim Wakefield and all that he contributed to his staff and our metropolis. I lengthen my honest condolences to Tim’s household and all who share in mourning his loss.”
Boston Metropolis Corridor is lit in Pink Sox colours tonight in honor of Tim Wakefield and all that he contributed to his staff and our metropolis. I lengthen my honest condolences to Tim’s household and all who share in mourning his loss. pic.twitter.com/DYqiHLdFHM
“Tim Wakefield was selfless in his dedication to the adults and youngsters being handled for most cancers at @DanaFarber. He was our inaugural Jimmy Fund Pink Sox co-captain and all the time went the additional mile. He usually visited our grownup and pediatric flooring, met our teen sufferers throughout their annual spring coaching journey and was devoted to serving to us elevate funds for most cancers analysis and care. He will probably be missed. Our ideas exit to his household, his followers, and the @RedSox group.”
Tim Wakefield was selfless in his dedication to the adults and youngsters being handled for most cancers at @DanaFarber. He was our inaugural Jimmy Fund Pink Sox co-captain and all the time went the additional mile. He usually visited our grownup and pediatric flooring, met our teen sufferers throughout their… pic.twitter.com/VgtQuDEFsF
”I’ll miss you my teammate…my coronary heart hurts. Carolina and I’ll all the time be right here for your loved ones
https://t.co/d4hGBksIFc
