Tim Wakefield Obituary, Death Cause: Red Sox Knuckleballer and World Series Champion Dies at 57
Tim Wakefield, who used his unpredictable knuckleball to become one of the most successful and beloved pitchers in Boston Red Sox history, died on October 01, 2023, at his home in Melbourne, Fla. He was 57.
The cause was brain cancer, which was diagnosed only a few weeks ago, according to his former teammate Curt Schilling, who revealed the news on a podcast last week.
Wakefield spent 17 of his 19 major league seasons with the Red Sox, winning 186 games for the franchise, third behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens. He also ranks second in team history in games pitched (590), innings (3,006), and strikeouts (2,046).
But beyond his statistics, Tim was known for his selflessness, versatility, and community involvement. He pitched in every role imaginable, from starter to closer to long reliever. He sacrificed personal glory for the sake of the team, such as when he gave up his scheduled start in Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees to pitch in relief in a blowout loss in Game 3, saving the bullpen for the rest of the series.
The Red Sox went on to win four straight games against their archrivals, ending an 86-year drought without a World Series title. Wakefield earned the victory in Game 5, throwing three scoreless innings in a 14-inning marathon. He also contributed to another championship in 2007, when he won 17 games during the regular season.
Tim Wakefield was also a leader off the field, winning the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award in 2010 for his humanitarian efforts. He was the first captain of the Jimmy Fund, a charity that supports research and care for children with cancer. He was also the honorary chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, the team’s philanthropic arm.
“Tim’s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball,” John Henry, the principal owner of the Red Sox, said in a statement. “He not only captivated us on the field but was the rare athlete whose legacy extended beyond the record books to the countless lives he touched with his warmth and genuine spirit.”
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| MLB debut | July 31, 1992 |
| MLB final game | September 25, 2011 |
| MLB career | 19 seasons |
| Teams | Pittsburgh Pirates (1992-93), Boston Red Sox (1995-2011) |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Bats/Throws | Right/Right |
| Wins | 200 |
| Losses | 180 |
| ERA | 4.41 |
| Strikeouts | 2,156 |
| Games pitched | 627 |
| Games started | 463 |
| Complete games | 33 |
| Shutouts | 10 |
| Saves | 22 |
| Innings pitched | 3,226.2 |
| WHIP | 1.35 |
| All-Star selections | 1 (1995) |
| World Series titles | 2 (2004, 2007) |
| Roberto Clemente Award | 1 (2010) |
A Knuckleball Journey
Wakefield’s journey to baseball stardom was unconventional and improbable. He was born on Aug. 2, 1966, in Melbourne, Fla., and attended Eau Gallie High School and Florida Institute of Technology. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988 as a first baseman, but he struggled to hit in the minor leagues.
He learned how to throw a knuckleball, a pitch that has little or no spin and moves erratically depending on the wind and air pressure. Tim impressed his coaches with his new weapon and switched to pitching in 1990.
He made his major league debut with the Pirates in 1992 and had a sensational rookie season, going 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA and helping his team reach the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. He won two games in that series, but he also lost Game 7 when he gave up a walk-off single to Francisco Cabrera that scored Sid Bream with the winning run.
Tim Wakefield struggled the next season, going 6-11 with a 5.61 ERA and spending time in the minors. He was released by the Pirates in April 1995 after failing to make the team out of spring training.
The Red Sox signed him six days later, hoping he could revive his career. He did more than that: He became an instant ace for Boston, going 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA and finishing third in the Cy Young Award voting. He also made his first All-Star team that year.
He remained with the Red Sox for the rest of his career, becoming one of their most reliable and durable pitchers. He reached double-digit wins in 11 seasons and surpassed 200 innings seven times. He also recorded 22 saves, mostly in 1999 when he served as the team’s closer for part of the season.
Tim reached several milestones with the Red Sox, including his 2,000th strikeout in 2007 and his 200th win in 2011. He retired after that season at age 45, having pitched in four different decades.
He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2016, along with former teammates Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell.
A Family Man
Wakefield is survived by his wife, Stacy Stover Wakefield, whom he married in 2002; their son, Trevor; their daughter, Brianna; and his parents, Richard and Judy Wakefield.
Stacy Wakefield was also involved in charitable causes, especially those related to children’s health. She worked closely with the Wakefield Warriors program, which provided support and entertainment for young patients at the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston.
She was also reportedly battling pancreatic cancer, according to Schilling, who said he had spoken to Tim Wakefield shortly before his death.
“He was at peace. He was with his family,” Schilling said on his podcast. “He knew what was coming.”
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A Legacy of Love
Tim Wakefield’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from his former teammates, opponents, fans and friends. Many praised his character, his generosity and his impact on the game and the community.
“It’s a rare occurrence for a two-time World Series champion’s extraordinary personality to shine even brighter than their illustrious career,” Sam Kennedy, the president and chief executive of the Red Sox, said in a statement. “Tim was undeniably an exceptional pitcher, but what truly set him apart was the ease with which he connected with people.”
David Ortiz, the slugger who played with Wakefield for 10 seasons and shared many clutch moments with him, posted a photo of them together on X and wrote: “My heart is broken. Tim Wakefield was not only a great teammate but a great human being. Always positive, always smiling and always ready to help anyone in need. I will miss you my friend.”
Pedro Martinez, the Hall of Fame pitcher who formed a formidable duo with Wakefield in the Red Sox rotation for seven seasons, also expressed his sorrow on X: “I’m so sad to hear about the passing of Tim Wakefield. He was a great teammate, a great friend and a great person. He had a big heart and a great knuckleball. He will be missed by all of us.”
Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, called Wakefield “one of the most unique pitchers of his generation” and “a true ambassador for our sport.”
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Tim’s family, his friends and teammates across the game, and Red Sox fans everywhere,” Manfred said in a statement.
Wakefield’s legacy will live on not only in the record books and the memories of those who knew him, but also in the lives of those he touched with his kindness and generosity.
He once said that his knuckleball was “a gift from God” that allowed him to pursue his dream of playing baseball. But he also used that gift to give back to others, especially children.
“I’ve always tried to use my platform as a baseball player to help as many people as I can,” he said in 2010 when he won the Clemente Award. “That’s what it’s all about for me.”
