Tim Wakefield’s career is over, falling just 6 wins short of Roger Clemens and Cy Young’s all time Red Sox mark. His time with the Red Sox deserves a salute.
In many ways, Tim Wakefield has had one of the most unique careers in Red Sox history. No person other than Johnny Pesky has interacted with more legends of the franchise. And Wakefield has done it as an active player.
He was teammates with two members of the 1986 squad and has been a teammate of every post strike Red Sox player.
He has connections to Red Sox players that is Kevin Bacon esque. He even was a teammate of a 1978 Red Sox player! (Albeit when Eck returned to finish his career in Boston.)
I was going to make a 25 man roster of great Red Sox players who were Wakefield’s teammates over his 17 years in Boston.But I realized that he played with so many quintessential Red Sox players that I could actually make up TWO all time Rosters. One consisting only of players who originated in the Red Sox organization and those that were acquired from other teams.
Yup, it’s another Home Grown vs. Acquired Roster.
I am calling a player who started in the Red Sox organization as “Home Grown.” So that means Curt Schilling is on the Home Grown Team even though they picked him up from Arizona later in his career. They are my rules.
As always the Rosters will consist of a starter at each position, 5 starters, 5 relievers, 2 reserve infielders, 2 reserve outfielders, a back up catcher and a 25th man who could be any position.
The All Home Grown Red Sox Tim Wakefield Teammate Team
Starting Catcher – Scott HattebergTeammates from 1995-2001
Starting First Baseman – Mo VaughnTeammates from 1995-1998
Starting Second Baseman – Dustin PedroiaTeammates from 2006-2011
Starting Shortstop – Nomar GarciaparraTeammates from 1996-2004
Starting Third Baseman – John ValentinTeammates from 1995-2001
Starting Left Fielder – Mike GreenwellTeammates from 1995-1996
Starting Center Fielder – Jacoby EllsburyTeammates from 2007-2011
Starting Right Fielder – Trot NixonTeammates from 1996-2006
Starting Designated Hitter – Kevin YoukilisTeammates from 2004-2011
Starting Rotation
Roger ClemensTeammates from 1995-1996
Jon LesterTeammates from 2006-2011
Curt SchillingTeammates from 2004-2007
Clay BuchholzTeammates from 2007-2011
Aaron SeleTeammates from 1995-1997
Bullpen
Jonathan PapelbonTeammates from 2005-2011
Manny DelcarmenTeammates from 2005-2010
Daniel BardTeammates from 2009-2011
Casey FossumTeammates from 2001-2003
Justin MastersonTeammates from 2008-2009
The Bench
Reserve Infielder – Tim NaehringTeammates 1995-1997
Reserve Infielder – Shea HillenbrandTeammates 2001-2003
Reserve Outfielder – Josh ReddickTeammates 2009-2011
Reserve Outfielder – Donnie SadlerTeammates 1998-2000
Reserve Catcher – Kelly ShoppachTeammates in 2005
25th Man - Jed LowrieTeammates 2008-2011
The All Acquired Red Sox Tim Wakefield Teammate Team
Starting Catcher – Doug MirabelliTeammates from 2001-2007
Starting First Baseman – Kevin MillarTeammates from 2003-2005
Starting Second Baseman – Todd WalkerTeammates in 2003
Starting Shortstop – Orlando CabreraTeammates in 2004
Starting Third Baseman – Mike LowellTeammates from 2006-2010
Starting Left Fielder – Manny RamirezTeammates from 2001-2008
Starting Center Fielder – Johnny DamonTeammates from 2002-2005
Starting Right Fielder – Troy O’LearyTeammates from 1995-2001
Starting Designated Hitter – David OrtizTeammates from 2003-2011
Starting Rotation
Pedro MartinezTeammates from 1998-2004
Josh BeckettTeammates from 2006-2011
Bret SaberhagenTeammates from 1997-2001
Derek LoweTeammates from 1997-2004
Erik HansonTeammates in 1995
Bullpen
Keith FoulkeTeammates from 2004-2006
Tom GordonTeammates from 1996-1999
Hideki OkajimaTeammates from 2007-2011
Mike TimlinTeammates from 2003-2008
Dennis EckersleyTeammates in 1998
The Bench
Reserve Infielder – Bill MuellerTeammates from 2003-2005
Reserve Infielder – Mark BellhornTeammates from 2004-2005
Reserve Outfielder – Dave RobertsTeammates in 2004
Reserve Outfielder – J. D. DrewTeammates from 2007-2011
Reserve Catcher – Jason VaritekTeammates from 1997-2011
25th Man – Adrian GonzalezTeammates in 2011
That’s quite a collection.
And of course I skewed it towards players who played on winning Red Sox teams. I know Dave Roberts was only there for a few months, but would you rather see him or Carl Everett?
And I was hesitant to put Varitek on the roster at all! But notice he isn’t starting. That’s Mirabelli’s spot.
And yes I know Gonzalez is a better player than Kevin Millar, but these rosters are emotional and I’m putting the World Champion in the starting line up.
So Wakefield, who stretched through the Duquette and Theo years, over Kennedy, Williams, Kerrigan, Little and Francona and played for 9 different Red Sox playoff teams, will not continue onto the Bobby Valentine era.
But if the likes of Jose Iglesias or Ryan Lavarnway ever play for a World Series winner with the Red Sox, they can be connected to the 1986 team by 2 degrees.
It’s been fun Tim Wakefield.
You are a champion and you will be missed.
Curt Schilling was acquired not home grown Sully!
ReplyDeleteI am taking you missed the part of the post where I said
ReplyDelete"I am calling a player who started in the Red Sox organization as “Home Grown.” So that means Curt Schilling is on the Home Grown Team even though they picked him up from Arizona later in his career. They are my rules."
Schilling started in the Red Sox organization... so he was home grown AND acquired and the home grown rotation was lacking.
My rules
Did Hatteberg ever catch a knuckle ball from Wakefield?
ReplyDeleteI actually do not know much about Tim Wakefield, but from what I have heard he is a very good player and a leader, he will be fine in any other club
ReplyDelete