Tim Wakefield (57) dies from brain cancer

Sad news to read today.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...uckleballer-tim-wakefield-dies-brain-caner-57

 

Very saddened to hear this. He caught lightning in a bottle with the Bucs in 1992 when called up from the minors for a half season and still coming in 3rd for Rookie of the Year. He pitched 2 complete games in the NLCS against the Braves that year and many thought he should have been brought into game 7 instead of Belinda. We'll never know. Saw him pitch against Dodgers in LA that summer and he walked the first 2 batters on 8 pitches with no outs. Before pitching to 3rd batter he wheels around and picks guy off second and then picks guy off first and then strikes out 3rd batter on 3 swing and misses. 3 up and 3 down. He was fun to watch. Other players didn't remember that he was an infielder before turning knuckleball pitcher and they were thrown off by his slow lazy speed knucklers to home but in reality he could fire the ball around the infield. What an amazing career and history he went on to with Bean Town after leaving the Burgh finishing 3rd in team wins only behind Cy Young and Clemens. RIP Tim, we remember you fondly.

 

Yes, I remember those games. He was tough to beat when his knuckleball was on. I was disappointed when the Pirates let him go/or traded. He became a legend with the Red Sox.

 

RIP! They should have used him in the ninth inning, game 7, 1992 and we would have been in WS. He said he could go but Tanner didn't think so.