Tim Wakefield Stats And History

Timothy Stephen Wakefield (born August 2, 1966) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the oldest player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest active player in the majors, and one of two knuckleball active, the other RA Dickey.

Wakefield won his 200th career game September 13, 2011 against the Toronto Blue Jays, and is second on the team Boston Red Sox with 186 victories, behind the two Cy Young and Roger Clemens, with 192 each. It is the second all-time wins at Fenway Park, with 97, behind Roger Clemens 100, and is the first all-time in innings pitched by a pitcher for the Red Sox, with 2944 (through July 24 2011), after Roger Clemens have surpassed total 2777 June 8, 2010.

Wakefield has been nominated eight times winner of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010. It 'the first Red Sox player to win the prize.

Early Life 



Wake field was born in Melbourne, Florida, August 2, 1966. He attended Eau Gallie High School and then attended Florida Tech At Florida Tech, was named team MVP as a basis for the first time Panthers in their second year and third grade. He has a season record with 22 homers and 71, and register to run in its 40-year career. In 2006, the number 3 was retired by the university.

Race 



Pittsburgh Pirates

Wake field was drafted as a first baseman in 1988 by the Pittsburgh Pirates). After a scout told him he would never be the double-A ball as a position player with his ability, Wakefield began developing the knuckleball that has made so famous at the time saying, "I just want say I tried everything I could to do so. "

The following season, Wakefield has made his professional debut pitching while playing for Single-A Salem Buccaneers. Its immediate success led to a complete conversion to pitcher in 1990, he led the Carolina League starts and sleeves together. Wakefield advanced to Double-A in 1991 and continued to improve, all the pirates of the minor leagues in WINS, sleeves and hit full games when he went 15-8 with a 5.36 ERA.

1992-1994 


In 1992, Wakefield began the season with Triple-A Buffalo of the American Buffalo. He recorded six top leagues in July 31 complete games, winning 10 games with a 3.06 ERA and was called to the majors. In his Major League debut, Wakefield threw a complete game against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out 10 batters while throwing 146 pitches.

In the final, Wakefield has served as a stimulus for the playoff bound Pirates, starting 13 games and compiling a record of 8-1 with an ERA of 2.15, a performance that earned him the pitcher of the National League Rookie of Year by The Sporting News. After winning the National League Eastern Division, the Pirates face the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series. Wakefield won his two starts against the Braves star Tom Glavine, pitching a complete game five-hitter in the third game of the NLC and a complete game in six games in three days of rest. With the Pirates leading the Braves in the seventh game, Wakefield was on the verge of being named ALCS MVP Braves rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth Stan Belinda.

During the first month of the 1993 season, Wakefield has walked nine batters two ten of another beginning. After losing his place in the starting rotation, Wakefield was sent to Double-A. It was recalled in September and struggled again, but ended the season with two shutouts right.

Wakefield spent most of the Triple-Buffalo 1994. He led the league losses, walks and home runs allowed. Wakefield had been recalled to the Pirates in September, but has not played because the players 'strike'. Wakefield pirates released 20 April 1995.

Boston Red Sox 


Six days after the release of the Pirates, Wakefield had been signed by the Boston Red Sox. He worked for Phil and Joe Niekro, the two former knuckleballers, who encouraged him to use the knuckleball off the field. Triple Pawtucket, Wakefield went 2-1 with ERA 2.53.

1995-1998

When the Boston Red Sox rotation is struggling with injuries starting rotation at the top, Roger Clemens and Aaron Sele season in early 1995, Wakefield was called up to three times, and soon proved to be the most reliable starter. He opened the season with a 1.65 ERA and 14-1 record with 17 games - six of which were complete games. He finished the year 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA, helping the Red Sox win the American League East Division title, and capture the Sporting News American League Comeback Player of the Year. He finished third in AL Cy Young Award balloting.

The next three seasons (1996-1998), Wakefield won 45 games and had periods of time, 5.14, 4.25 and 4.58 for more than three seasons as a starter. In 1997, he led the Major League Baseball hitting 17 batters faced.

1999–2002

In 1999, Boston is closer Tom Gordon was injured, and manager Jimy Williams installed as a new neighbor of Wakefield during the middle of the season. 10. August 1999, he joined a select group who faced four batters pitchers in one inning. Like fluttering knuckleball produces a lot of balls past, a number of knuckleballers to share this honor with him. He logged 3:00 of the first save by Derek Lowe, who has risen to a new neighbor and Wakefield returned to the starting rotation.

Because of its success out of the bullpen, Wakefield was frequently moved from the position of relief pitcher at the start and return over the next three seasons (2000-2002). After returning to the rotation in late July 2002, Wakefield was a permanent general business.