The Boston Red Sox played their first home game of the season in a somber atmosphere, as it was their first game at Fenway Park since the death of their former pitcher Tim Wakefield, who passed away from brain cancer. Wakefield’s death came on the last day of the 2023 season, and less than five months later, his widow, Stacy, also passed away. Prior to the game, there was a celebration to honor the upcoming 20th anniversary of the 2004 Red Sox team, who famously came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the New York Yankees in the ALCS and then swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series to break the Curse of the Bambino.
Wakefield was a member of the 2004 team and his presence was felt during the celebration. The couple’s two children, Trevor and Brianna, were introduced onto the field wearing his No. 49 jersey, and their daughter threw out the first pitch with Jason Varitek behind the plate. In a tribute video to Wakefield, Terry Francona, the manager of the 2004 club, praised Wakefield as “a pitcher of distinction and determination.” He also expressed his sadness at Wakefield’s passing, saying, “It felt like a punch in the stomach when I heard, and it still does… He was an honor managing Tim Wakefield. He was a really good pitcher — he was an even better man.”
Tim Wakefield, a two-time World Series champion, had a 4.43 ERA over 3,006 innings in 590 appearances for the Red Sox from 1995-2011. He started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992 before pitching for Boston for the next 17 seasons. Wakefield holds the record for most innings pitched at Fenway Park. The Red Sox lost the game to the Baltimore Orioles, whom they had also played on the day Wakefield passed away. Despite the loss, the team honored Wakefield’s memory and his legacy as a beloved player and person.
The somber atmosphere at Fenway Park for the Red Sox’s first home game of the season was due to the recent passing of their former pitcher Tim Wakefield, who died of brain cancer on the final day of the 2023 season. Wakefield’s wife, Stacy, also passed away less than five months after his death. Prior to the game, there was a celebration to honor the 2004 Red Sox team that broke the Curse of the Bambino by winning the World Series, with Wakefield being a key member of that team.
During the celebration, Wakefield’s children, Trevor and Brianna, paid tribute to their father by wearing his jersey and his daughter threw out the first pitch with Jason Varitek catching. Terry Francona, the manager of the 2004 team, praised Wakefield as a pitcher and a person, expressing his sadness at his passing. Wakefield, a two-time World Series champion, had a successful career with the Red Sox, pitching over 3,000 innings in 590 appearances from 1995-2011. He started his MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before joining Boston.
The Red Sox’s loss to the Baltimore Orioles in the game did not dampen the tribute to Wakefield, as the team remembered his contributions on and off the field. Wakefield’s legacy as a beloved player and person was evident in the emotional atmosphere at Fenway Park. Despite the sadness surrounding Wakefield’s passing, the team and fans came together to honor his memory and the impact he had on the Red Sox organization. Wakefield’s lasting legacy as a player and person will continue to be remembered by the Red Sox and their fans for years to come.
