The man who knuckled his way into our hearts, Tim Wakefield, announced his retirement from baseball after spending 19 years in the big leagues including the final 17 of his career with the Boston Red Sox.
Wakefield said during his press conference that he actually had decided to retire on Monday and hadn’t slept all week.
It’s almost a sure thing but as much as he’ll be missed on the field, he’ll be missed just as much for all the work he does for charities in the Boston area. He said during the presser that he had been offered jobs by the Red Sox Foundation and The Jimmy Fund but hadn’t decided what to do.
Something tells me once the dust settles from the retirement announcement, he’ll stay involved with one or both of those charities. He also stated no matter what that he’ll continue to do charity work.
Folks, that’s what made Wakefield great. For as good as man as he was on the field, he was an even much better man off of it. And for some, that’s how he’ll be remembered.
Wakefield joined the Red Sox in 1995 as a free agent after being released from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his 17 years with the local nine, he was 186-168 with a 4.43 ERA and 22 saves in 590 games (430 starts).
He’ll finish his long career with a record of 200-180 with a 4.41 ERA and 22 saves in 627 games (463 starts).
Here is the full video of Wakefield’s press conference that opened with remarks from Tom Werner:
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