It's been all smiles for Wakefield and the Sox thus far. (AP Photo)
I still feel like the collective whole of Red Sox Nation, the fans, players, and media alike are a little taken aback by how...well, chill everything seems to be so far down in Fort Myers. It seems like ever since 2003 drama has been around almost every turn for the local nine. Knowing the Red Sox, and the now high profile status they hold as a franchise, this is likely just the calm before the storm, and I'm sure there'll be a fair share of controversies and things ending in the word "gate" before all is said and done. But for now I'm enjoying this calm, and I'm also enjoying a player and man who always seems to be flying just underneath the radar, and that player is Tim Wakefield.
There's two nice write-ups on Wakefield on this Saturday over at Red Sox dot com, and Boston dot com, they're noted below.
Tim Wakefield has steadily been one of the most steadfast and consistent members EVER to play for the Boston Red Sox. He's entering his 14th season with the Red Sox, and there isn't a player on the team who respects the uniform or name of the Boston Red Sox as much as Tim Wakefield. It seems rather fitting that the longest tenured Red Sox is somewhat of a baseball anomaly in the fact that he's a knuckleball pitcher. Longtime Red Sox fans, and I think Boston fans in general, have always seemed eager to embrace and love the quirky. From Nomar's once holy and revered batting glove ritual to the large love disposed upon the ever ugly '86 Celtics, we seem to embrace the slightly askew.
Wakefield has held every position a pitcher could have for the Red Sox, from closer, to set-up man, to long reliever, to starter he's done it all. And he's done it with a selflessness that is truly admirable. From eating major innings in the 2004 ALCS during the 19-8 Game 3 loss, to sitting out the World Series last year, Wakefield has always put the team before his ego, and that's a rare thing to find in this modern age of sports.
So it's rather fitting then that once again with Schilling heading to the shelf, and the certain uncertainty of our younger pitchers, that we have Mr. Ol' Reliable, Timmy Knuckleball, ready to give you a consistent effort, and a different look. I'd say his only downfall is that Mirabelli has to catch for him, who in the end, owes a lot of his MLB career to Mr. Wakefield. And us as Boston fans owe it to Tim to give him the loudest of cheers when he receives his second ring on opening day, the ol' workhorse deserves it.
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