Comments on: Tim Wakefield ranks with Red Sox legends

By: contraryguy

contraryguy — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:42:05 +0000

The only knuckleballer since Charlie Hough worth watching. Glad my favorite team didn’t have to face him much. As far as the retired number, why not let the local fans decide?

By: johninpa

johninpa — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:04:25 +0000

Wakefield was a rare exception to the overpaid prima donnas we see and hear so much of these days. He did whatever his coach asked of him – start, relief or close. No complaints, no scenes with the media, no over-hyped contact demands. He played the game and gave it his all – the way it is meant to be played. His positive attitude continued off the field with his community service. Every young player should strive to develop the work ethic and attitude Wakefield displayed through his long career.

By: rondibjwu

rondibjwu — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:47:37 +0000

What’s the love fest with Wake. He’s been terrible since ’03. It’s about time he’s gone and Tek needs to follow the same path to retirement.

By: aceshigh11

aceshigh11 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:11:09 +0000

Pretty much sums it up for me. I’m going to miss him.

By: micker716

micker716 — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:28:32 +0000

So, great guy, average pitcher, but a rock – always ready to do what he was asked. Good enough for me, go ahead retire his number, put him in the Hall of Fame, too.

By: jimeejohnson

jimeejohnson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:38:02 +0000

He’s a humanitarian with a knuckleball. Good luck to you, Tim.

By: jimeejohnson

jimeejohnson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:36:56 +0000

When a guy named Lou Gehrig played.

By: mtm1321

mtm1321 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:45:52 +0000

Tim thanks for the memories. You did a helluva job, helluva job. You will be missed.

By: wendell7

wendell7 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:01:03 +0000

Tim Wakefield was so much more than just a steady performer for the Red Sox over the last 17 seasons. If you don’t think that he at least deserves favorable consideration to have his number retired with the ball club, then you know jack-squat about Tim Wakefield.

By: florida76

florida76 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:50:52 +0000

When did being a steady performer become the gold standard for having a number retired?

By: florida76

florida76 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:49:18 +0000

kwa1430, please read my post again, I was comparing Wakefield to Pesky. Teams should think carefully before retiring numbers, and while off field actions are important, Wakefield just didn’t do enough to earn the honor. The Red Sox aren’t the Mariners, they have a storied history, so it stands to reason they would have higher standards. Wakefield did have some excellent seasons with Boston across his long career, but needed more.

Does Jim Kaat have his number retired? At least Kaat won 20. Everyone just needs a little perspective, Wakefield should be recognized, you don’t need to go overboard here.

By: kwa1430

kwa1430 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:27:52 +0000

florida76…while he was never the ace of the staff or won 20 games, he was an important part of the Red Sox both on and off the field. His actions off the field transcend the game. He was very involved in the Jimmy Fund and another local hospitals and was nominated seven times before finally winning the Clemente award. Add in the fact he took considerable less money over a long time to stay with the Red Sox means they were able to add potential aces and players on the field.

Also, stop comparing pitchers with fielders. Based on your logic, no pitcher should have their number retired. It’s a stupid argument.

Finally, if they choose to retire his number, it will not water down the process. How many players who have had their number retired have given so much back?

By: kraken887

kraken887 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:26:13 +0000

Tim Wakefield was a steady performer for the Sox. He was a pleasure to watch. Honor him for his nineteen years and give him his special day at Fenway with the retirement of his number.
Great job, Tim.
PS. The Yankees suck.

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:19:02 +0000

And had enough great moments, where he was the team’s most reliable pitcher & its most resilient starter, to warrant the number retirement. Having the tools to be an MLB pitcher for 19 years is such a singular feat that the fact that he did almost all of that with a single team makes him worthy of the honor.

By: Bryz

Bryz — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:31:13 +0000

A team can retire a number for whatever reasons they want. Yes, there should be some high standards, but as far as I’m concerned, Wakefield is deserving of having his number retired.

Who cares if he wasn’t “great”? He lasted 17 years with the same damn team! Octavio Dotel has played on 12 different teams in his career. Sticking around that long with a single team is an accomplishment in itself, and while Wakefield wasn’t great, he was, as Matthew said, above average for most of his career.

By: ikedavisnose

ikedavisnose — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:25:40 +0000

oww your just upset you couldnt have an awesome knuckleballer on your team like Wake or now RA Dickey………………………. BTW Dickey should teach Parnell the knuckler imagine goin from 70 mph to 101 mph he would be the best pitcher ever

By: florida76

florida76 — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:12:49 +0000

Tim Wakefield was a very good pitcher for a long time, but that doesn’t make him a legend. 17 years of service is impressive, but unlike Pesky, Wakefield wasn’t an everyday player. Regardless of which team you root for, I don’t think we shouldn’t water down the process of retired numbers. Wakefield never won 20 games in a single season his entire Boston career. How often was he considered the ace of the staff?

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:58:42 +0000

Uniform number retiring de facto standards are so inconsistent from team to team that one can’t really argue the issue.

By: canowack

canowack — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:33:19 +0000

I’m going to miss you soooo much on the field Wake! Your legacy will live on in Boston!

By: buffalomafia

buffalomafia — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:05:09 +0000

Salute’ to a Buffalo Bison!