Legendary Red Sox Pitcher Dead At 57

Legendary knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield has passed away at the age of 57.

Wakefield who helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series title in 2004, reportedly died of brain cancer.

Wakefield’s cancer diagnosis was kept from the public but last week another Red Sox legend Curt Schilling announced on his podcast that Wakefield was diagnosed with brain cancer and his wife has also been diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer.

The Red Sox issued their condolences on X and wrote Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield. Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.

Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield.

Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.

Our deepest love and thoughts are with… pic.twitter.com/ah5kV2Yt8j

— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 1, 2023

Here’s what ESPN:

Tim Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57.

The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday. Wakefield had brain cancer, according to former teammate Curt Schilling, who disclosed the illness on a podcast last week without Wakefield’s consent. The Red Sox confirmed an illness at the time but did not elaborate, saying Wakefield had requested privacy.

“It’s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it’s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both,” Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said in the team’s statement. “I know the world was made better because he was in it.”

We look back on the life and legacy of Tim Wakefield ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jwGNvlgnCv

— NESN (@NESN) October 1, 2023

Check out what CBS reported:

The Boston Red Sox announced the death of longtime right-handed pitcher Tim Wakefield on Sunday. He was 57 years old.

Wakefield, one of the majors’ last prominent knuckleballers, appeared in 627 career games over 19-big-league seasons. He amassed a 4.41 ERA (105 ERA+) and a 1.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions were worth an estimated 34.4 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball-Reference’s calculations.

Wakefield began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was released early in the 1995 season, and subsequently latched on with the Red Sox. Despite debuting with Boston as a 28-year-old, he would go on to become the franchise’s all-time leader in games started and innings pitched. Wakefield also ranks third in wins and sixth in Wins Above Replacement.