How the heck does this guy do it? His next start will mark the most by any pitcher in Red Sox history. Three hundred and eighty-three (think about this number - 383) times he has been given the ball and I sincerely think he has been as prepared as he possibly could be each and every time. Obviously, there have been times when he has been pretty bad but it was not because he did not do what he was supposed to in between starts. Can you say that about Pedro (leaving early at the All Star break to go home), Clemens (if you take steroids you still have to actually workout -- the Duke's "twilight" comment motivated him to break the law)or any other starting pitcher in Sox history?
Wake has always been the consumate professional and great teammate. In 1999, he was asked to be the closer and did not complain. He was left off the World Series roster in 2007 and did not complain when a young Jon Lester took his start in the clinching game. He has also been heavily involved in charity work during his fifeteen seasons in Boston.
Personally, my favorite Wake moment was during the 2004 ALCS versus the Yankees. With the Sox down two games to none and the Bombers absolutely crushing the Sox on their way to a seemingly insurmountable three games to none lead, Wakefield volunteered to eat up some innings so the bull pen could get some much needed rest. He was the first guy to believe the team could come back. Wake went out there and pitched four innings in a 19-8 ALCS game so guys like Curtis Leskanic, Mike Timlin, Alan Embree, Bronson Arroyo and Keith Foulke could pitch meaningful innings in games four, five, six and seven. It does not matter that the one game he started in the World Series he got crushed (Sox still won), his contributions may have been bigger than Pedro's game four performance, the bloody sock and Derek Lowe's game seven masterpiece on two days rest. Imagine the dug out or locker room during and after Game 3. I guarantee you at least a half dozen teammates either said it to themselves or out loud -- "Tim Wakefield is sacrificing his own interests for those of the team" or --- "Wake is out there taking blows so we have a shot at this thing". Talk about inspirational.
Congratulations to Tim Wakefield on his durability, talent and determination in reaching this team record. You have certainly paid your dues and are most deserving for being a great teammate and competitor.
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2 comments:
I agree with everything you wrote regarding Wake. If anyone deserves to have his number retired by the Red Sox it's this guy.
Papi -- it took Pesky a lifetime to get his retired. But you are right, Wake deserves any and all accolades
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