12/21/24
May 14, 2010
Tim Wakefield Gets 2,000th Strikeout: Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield recorded his 2,000th career strikeout in Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Wakefield fanned Vernon Wells and was saluted with a standing ovation. Wakefield, 43, joins Jamie Moyer (2,362), Javier Vazquez (2,280) and Andy Pettitte (2,177) as the only active pitchers to reach that milestone.
He becomes the 64th pitcher to reach that mark.
posted by grum@work at 09:16 PM on May 14, 2010
His real goal is to pass Clemens for all-time leader in wins for the Red Sox. Losses like this one are a tough pill to swallow, as I'd love to see Wakefield get his 200th win before he retires.
He's not a HoF by any stretch, but probably my favorite Sox player. A good guy who provides a glimmer of a dream that any of us could suit up in Fenway throwing a pitch within the reach (theoretically) of any of us.
posted by hincandenza at 04:57 PM on May 15, 2010
I concur. Moyer and Wakefield -- great guys. They're not primadonnas; they don't get the headlines; they just do their jobs and do it well.
posted by jjzucal at 10:03 PM on May 15, 2010
Wakefield -- great guy. He's not a primadonna; he doesn't get the headlines; he just does his job and does it well enough to keep playing.
He's done okay for his career, but other than 1995 as a starter and 2002 as a swingman, he hasn't ever been all that great. Better than average, but not by lots.
His forms a nice set with Mark Langston (freakishly so) and Fernando Valenzuela.
Here is a set of pitchers that meet some Wakefield-esque requirements (Winning %, IP, ERA+).
posted by grum@work at 10:44 PM on May 15, 2010
Again, no one said he was great, just good and a sentimental choice to supplant Clemens atop the team career wins list.
Besides, a consistent, better than average 4 or 5 type starter that runs $4m a year is one of the best deals in baseball.
posted by hincandenza at 11:14 PM on May 15, 2010
......just good and a sentimental choice to supplant Clemens atop the team career wins list.
Some fellow named Cy Young also has a share of that record.
posted by tommybiden at 11:54 PM on May 15, 2010
Wakefield is you usual knuckleballer who wins some but loses a lot too. When the knuckler is working, he can dominate, but other days it's like glorified BP. That being said, he's been a valuable member of the Red Sox, someone who can be counted on to fill any role necessary whenever that time may be. Whether it's as a spot starter, filling in for a while in the rotation, coming out of the pen, or just eating up innings, every team could use a guy like him on their roster.
posted by dyams at 09:54 AM on May 16, 2010
Prima donna. Please. I feel a need to defend the phrase here ever since some user accused us all of being "Pre-Madonnas". Did give me a roto name for a few years.
posted by yerfatma at 10:32 AM on May 16, 2010
Besides, a consistent, better than average 4 or 5 type starter that runs $4m a year is one of the best deals in baseball.
Whether it's as a spot starter, filling in for a while in the rotation, coming out of the pen, or just eating up innings, every team could use a guy like him on their roster.
I agree on both counts. I don't think he's getting into the HOF, but the Red Sox should definitely investigate honouring him when his time there is done. The work he's done for them with the ridiculous contract he was under for years, is amazing.
posted by grum@work at 11:10 AM on May 16, 2010
I remember when the Pirates got rid of him in the 90's because he was to old and washed up.
posted by Debo270 at 08:52 AM on May 17, 2010
In their defense, they did give him the chance to become a knuckleball pitcher when he didn't make it as a shortstop.
posted by yerfatma at 09:52 AM on May 17, 2010
Only 3,714 to catch Ryan...