Beloved former Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield died Sunday morning at the age of 57, the team announced.
He was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, though it was revealed to the public without his permission on Tuesday by former teammate Curt Schilling.
“Tim’s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball,” Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement. “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.”
Likely the most famous and successful knuckleball pitcher in MLB history, Wakefield played 19 seasons in the league, 17 of which were with Boston.
He played the first two years of his career with the Pirates, who cut him before he subsequently signed with the Red Sox and spent the rest of his career there.
Wakefield won two World Series with the Red Sox — in 2004 and 2007 — and his 17 seasons with the team are the most in club history by a pitcher.
He retired in 2011 with a 200-180 career record, 4.41 ERA, 22 saves, 2,156 strikeouts and one All-Star appearance.
In the postseason, Wakefield owned a 5-7 record with a 6.75 ERA.
In 2010, Wakefield received the prestigous Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the player who best represents MLB through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their clubs.
Schilling has come under immense fire for announcing Wakefield’s cancer diagnosis on his podcast “The Curt Schilling Show,” during which he also revealed that Wakefield’s wife, Stacy, has pancreatic cancer.
Schilling even admitted he did not receive permission from the Wakefields to share the information, and people around the Red Sox and family were “furious,” according to the Boston Globe.
After Schilling’s announcement, the Red Sox released a statement saying the Wakefields had intended to keep the diagnosis private.
“We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield, the team said in a statement at the time. “Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission.”
