Boston Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield works within the second inning of a baseball sport towards the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta, June 27, 2009. Wakefield has died at age 57.

John Bazemore/AP

disguise caption

toggle caption

John Bazemore/AP

Boston Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield works within the second inning of a baseball sport towards the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta, June 27, 2009. Wakefield has died at age 57.

John Bazemore/AP

BOSTON — Tim Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching workers who bounced again after giving up a season-ending residence run to the Yankees within the 2003 playoffs to assist Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the next 12 months, has died. He was 57.

The Red Sox introduced his demise in a press release Sunday. Wakefield had mind most cancers, in accordance with ex-teammate Curt Schilling, who outed the sickness on a podcast final week — drawing an outpouring of assist for Wakefield. The Red Sox confirmed an sickness on the time however didn’t elaborate, saying Wakefield had requested privateness.

Drafted by the Pirates as a primary baseman who set residence run information in school, Wakefield transformed to a pitcher after mastering the knuckleball within the minor leagues. Relying on the old-timey pitch that had largely fallen into disuse, he went on to win 200 main league video games, together with 186 with the Red Sox — behind solely Cy Young and Roger Clemens in franchise historical past.

But it was his position within the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry of the early 2000s that turned Wakefield right into a fan favourite whose affect went far past his numbers.

After New York rallied to tie Game 7 of the ’03 AL Championship Series, Wakefield got here on in reduction within the eleventh inning and Aaron Boone hit his first pitch for a walkoff residence run to finish Boston’s season and prolong a World Series drought that stretched again to 1918.

The following October, with the Red Sox season once more in danger towards the Yankees within the ALCS, Wakefield received 9 outs in additional innings of Game 5, organising David Ortiz to win it within the 14th. The Red Sox went on to finish their comeback from a three-games-to-none deficit after which sweep St. Louis within the World Series to assert their first championship in 86 years.

“He was a great competitor when he took that mound,” former teammate Kevin Youkilis stated on the published of Sunday’s Red Sox sport. “He was just a great teammate and just a great friend. Had the luxury of playing with him on the field, in the booth, and just glad that I had the opportunity over the years to be alongside of him.”

The Red Sox, and Wakefield, gained all of it once more in 2007.

“There were some years there where I didn’t know if I was going to come back or not,” Wakefield stated at his 2012 retirement information convention. “But I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to put this uniform on for such a long time, and win two World Series for this great city.”

Wakefield was 11-3 when he made his solely All-Star Game in 2009, changing into the second-oldest participant — to Satchel Paige — ever chosen to his first All-Star Game. Wakefield was the oldest participant in baseball at 45 when he earned his 2 hundredth win in September 2011, retiring his ultimate six batters.

He introduced his retirement the next spring coaching, seven wins in need of breaking the franchise file for wins held by Clemens and Young.

“I’m still a competitor, but ultimately I think this is what’s best for the Red Sox,” he stated on the time. “I think this is what’s best for my family. And to be honest with you, seven wins isn’t going to make me a different person or a better man. So, my family really needs me at home.”

An eighth-round Pittsburgh draft decide in 1988, Wakefield transformed to a pitcher two years later in an effort to revive his probabilities of making the majors. He received his callup halfway by the 1992 season and went 8-1, ending third within the NL rookie of the 12 months voting.

He added two full video games within the NL playoffs — one in Game 6 to maintain Pittsburgh alive. (He was voted the MVP of the Series late in Game 7, earlier than the Atlanta Braves rallied to win on Francisco Cabrera’s single with two out within the backside of the ninth.)

But Wakefield was unable to recapture his success in his second 12 months in Pittsburgh, going 6-11 with a 5.61 ERA. He was launched by the Pirates after one other journey by the minors, and signed six days later by the Red Sox.

Wakefield once more strung collectively a dominant run, beginning 14-1 in 1995 earlier than ending the 12 months at 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA. After 17 seasons with Boston, he retired because the franchise chief with 3,006 innings and 430 begins, and second in video games and strikeouts.

In all, he was 200-180 with a 4.41 ERA.

Wakefield was additionally an eight-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award that goes to a ballplayer for exemplary sportsmanship and group involvement, successful it in 2010.

“Tim was more than just a versatile and reliable All-Star pitcher, a highly respected teammate, and a two-time World Series champion,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated in a press release, citing “the dedicated work he and his family did serving the communities of New England.”

After retiring, Wakefield turned an analyst for Red Sox broadcasts and remained energetic within the crew’s charities.

“Tim’s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball,” Red Sox proprietor John Henry stated. “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. He had a remarkable ability to uplift, inspire, and connect with others in a way that showed us the true definition of greatness. He embodied the very best of what it means to be a member of the Boston Red Sox and his loss is felt deeply by all of us.”