Tim Wakefield Retiring

[Watson]

Didn't see this posted anywhere else and figured he deserved a thread.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2012/02/wakefield_annou.html

Tim Wakefield will announce his retirement at 5 p.m. today at JetBlue Park.

Wakefield's 17 seasons with the Sox were the most for an active player. In team history, only Carl Yastrzemski (23), Ted Williams (19) and Dwight Evans (19) played more years with the team.

Wakefield, the oldest player in baseball last season, was 7-8 with a 5.12 ERA in 33 games 23 of them starts. He pitched 154.2 innings.

It was about time for him to hang it up, but the fact he spent 17 seasons with one team is something you don't see anymore and I doubt you will see much more of (aside Chipper and maybe Ichiro).

[SPTO]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

Jetblue park?

Anyways, he's had a long and successful career. I remember watching him as a kid being a phenom for the Pirates as he was the first young guy in EONS to use the knuckler as his primary pitch. It's nice to see a guy hang it up after spending so much time with one organization rather than going for he money and hanging on for another season or two.

[Watson]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

JetBlue is the Sox's ST stadium

[areobee401]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

I remember watching his first game for Boston against the Angels in 1995. He went on to be damn near untouchable that season.

Class guy who did anything the team asked him to throughout his career here. Glad he was able to get win number 200 before hanging it up.

[Stu]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

Sad to see him retire without passing Cy Young and Clemens for the franchise lead in wins, but it was time. Wakefield is one of my all time favorite Red Sox... a class act on and off the field.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1062671-two-tim-wakefield-red-sox-stories-you-probably-have-not-heard

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

I remember going on a family vacation to the 1000 Islands in upstate New York in like 1987 or 1988. My dad and I drove a little south to Watertown, NY, to see my first minor league game ever between the single-A Watertown Pirates and the Utica Blue Sox. The starting pitcher for Watertown, who threw a 1-hitter, was Randy Tomlin. The first baseman? Tim Wakefield. Once he made the majors, I kept my eye on his career just because I remember seeing him when I was younger. (I know, I know: insert "cool story bro" pic here)

Despite being a member of the Red Sox, I always rooted for him. Congrats on a great career, Tim!

[Doormat]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

I honestly expected this, the guy was getting wrecked last year, good thing he got his 200th win though before he decided to give it up. I don't see him in the Hall Of Fame but still a good career

[Braves_fan_1990]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

Yeah He had a good career. It might be a good thing for him to go. That way maybe he could come back as coach or help with the team in the Minors

[Knight165]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

I remember going on a family vacation to the 1000 Islands in upstate New York in like 1987 or 1988. My dad and I drove a little south to Watertown, NY, to see my first minor league game ever between the single-A Watertown Pirates and the Utica Blue Sox. The starting pitcher for Watertown, who threw a 1-hitter, was Randy Tomlin. The first baseman? Tim Wakefield. Once he made the majors, I kept my eye on his career just because I remember seeing him when I was younger. (I know, I know: insert "cool story bro" pic here)

Despite being a member of the Red Sox, I always rooted for him. Congrats on a great career, Tim!

Actually...a pretty cool story!
I never knew he was a position player at one time.

M.K.
Knight165

[umpire]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

As a red sox fan he done a great job but its about time he retires

[Son of Sam99]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

Wakefield was awesome... I didn't start to take notice until he was much older but seeing that ball drop so dramatically while barely spinning... Very COOL!

Unfortunately I'll probably never be able to remember him without thinking about him being taken deep by Aaron Boone in that ALCS vs the Yankees in 2003

[legacyme3]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

As a Red Sox fan, it's kind of nice to see him retire of his own accord, rather than drag it out like others have in the past.

I've always liked Wake. He was nothing if not consistent for a knuckleballer.

Hope to see this man in the Red Sox HoF. I dunno the rules for induction into it, but he is certainly deserving of that honor.

And I may be mistaken, but wasn't he the winningest knuckleballer ever? That's gotta mean something

[ryan36]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

I remember when he came up with the Pirates... he was awesome.

And if he's the winningest knuckleballer ever ...more than Niekro, Hough , Candiotti... then good. I hope he gets in

[legacyme3]

Re: Tim Wakefield Retiring

And if he's the winningest knuckleballer ever ...more than Niekro, Hough , Candiotti... then good. I hope he gets in

I forgot Niekro and Hough. >.>

So not the winningest by any means. My bad.

But he did retire close to the top 100 in wins, so it's not nothing.

He definitely won't go to the hall.

But he should be in the Red Sox hall, without a doubt.