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Tim Wakefield, Former Red Sox Pitcher, Passes Away at 57: Fondly Remembered as a Loving Husband, Father, and Team Player

Tim Wakefield, a Red Sox legend, has died. He was 57 years old at the time.

On Sunday, the Boston Red Sox confirmed his passing on social media.

The team wrote that their hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield. Wake embodied true goodness; he was a devoted husband, father, and teammate, a well-known broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He contributed so much to the game and to the Red Sox Nation. Their deepest love and thoughts are with Stacy, Trevor, Brianna, and the Wakefield family, said the conclusion of the message.

Kevin Youkilis, Wakefield’s former teammate, grew emotional when commemorating Wakefield before the Red Sox’s game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

He was a fierce competitor. When he stepped up to the mound, he was just a great teammate, he remarked in footage released by the New England Sports Network on X.

And just a great friend, Youkilis concluded. And he got the opportunity to work with him both on the field and in the booth. He is really grateful to have had the chance to work with him throughout the years.

Wakefield, according to the retiring first baseman, was “just an amazing husband, father, and community leader.”

He really enjoyed people, Youkilis continued. He really enjoyed being around people, and today we lost one of the good ones.

Following Wakefield’s passing, the MLB issued a statement recognizing some of his greatest achievements and services to the sport.

They are extremely saddened by the passing of Tim Wakefield, 19-year Major Leaguer, two-time World Series champion, 2009 AL All-Star, and the 2010 Roberto Clemente Award winner, the Major League Baseball said. Tim exemplified the best qualities of a teammate, competitor, and caring individual. Their hearts go out to the Wakefield family and everyone who knew and loved Tim.

Following Wakefield’s death, Red Sox owner John Henry issued a statement.

Tim’s humanity and determination were as legendary as his knuckleball. He not only enthralled them on the field but was the rare athlete whose legacy extended beyond the record books to the countless lives he touched with his sincerity and honest spirit. He had an extraordinary capacity to uplift, encourage, and connect with others in a way that showed them the true definition of greatness, the Red Sox owner concluded. He exemplified the best of what it meant to be a Boston Red Sox fan, and his loss is felt profoundly by all of them.

Wakefield, who was chosen as a first baseman, eventually turned to a pitcher after mastering the knuckleball (an outmoded pitch at the time) during a minor league stint.

Wakefield went on to win 200 big league games in his career, the majority of them while wearing a Red Sox jersey, according to the site. His 186 Red Sox victories rank second only to fellow franchise greats Cy Young and Roger Clemens.

The pitcher also helped the Red Sox win the World Series for the first time in 86 years in 2004, and again in 2007. When he won his 200th game in September 2011, he became the MLB’s oldest player at 45 years old. He left the company in 2012.

BILLIE WEISS/BOSTON RED SOX/GETTY

“I’m still a competitor, but I think this is ultimately what’s best for the Red Sox,” Wakefield said at the time. “I think this is what’s best for my family.”

Although his cause of death has yet to be determined, Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, were both diagnosed with cancer, according to MLB pitcher Curt Schilling, who disclosed the couple’s illnesses against their wishes in September.

Schilling, 56, said on his podcast, The Curt Schilling Baseball Show, that Wakefield, his Red Sox teammate from 2004 to 2007, had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form of brain cancer” and that his wife had pancreatic cancer.

In a statement the Red Sox sought “privacy” on behalf of the Wakefields after Schilling revealed the news without their consent.

The team said that they are mindful of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield. Sadly, this information was made public without their consent. Their health is a profoundly personal subject that they desire to remain secret while they navigate therapy and fight this cancer.

The press release stated that Tim and Stacy are grateful of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.

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