Timmy Wonderpitches: The Definition of "Class"

Every time I stepped on the field, I gave everything I had. All I ever wanted to do was win. - Tim Wakefield, February 17, 2012

I don't believe in my lifetime I will ever get the privilege of seeing another athlete that possessed the character and class that Tim Wakefield exhibited every time he stepped on the field. For whatever need the team had, in whatever role the gave him, Tim always gave his all. During his retirement speech, he explained how he felt honored to have had the chance to play on the same field as some of the greats. I only hope he can walk away from the game knowing that so many of us felt just as honored to have the opportunity to watch him play.

We love Tim Wakefield here in Boston. I know this isn't the last we've seen of him, but for all the wonderful moments we've shared together through the years, thank you, Tim. I wish you nothing but the best in your retirement.

Here are some of the better Wakefield pictures from my collection that I could find. I didn't always have the best seats, or a good camera, but I got what I could.

My first ever game at Fenway. Wakefield pitched. Tek and Bellhorn hit home runs. Sox won.

Wakey and Timlin, Spring training 2006

Pictures from Sept 12, 2007

Trying to get Wake, but got most of Schilling instead. Obviously 2007 victory parade.

April 22, 2009

April 20, 2010

May 22, 2011

Timmy attending The Varitek Charity Putt Putt, 2011

September 13, 2011

Congratulations on a wonderful career, Tim Wakefield. I guess that old knuckler will only be knuckling in back yards from now on. The things I expected to last forever...

Manny: Back In Baseball

It's official. Manny Ramirez will negate his retirement and make his return to professional baseball, signing a minor-league deal with the Oakland A's worth $500,000.

Manny is as polarizing a figure as any baseball player. Most hate him. Lots are just sick of him... and then there are folks like me. While I have long since grown weary of his ridiculousness, there is that part of me deep down in my baseball-loving soul that will always love Manny despite his stupidity. He was the center of so many of my favorite baseball memories, no matter how sick of him I get, I can't hate him. Trust me, I've wanted to. Never have I been so disgusted with a player and not been able to muster up the hate.

Much like my best friend is forever forgiving of Roger Clemens, I guess Manny just gets a permanent pass in my book.

I welcome him back to baseball with open arms, but I have a baseball cap and dark sunglasses on so no one can recognize me. It's my dirty little (no-so)secret. I love Manny Ramirez and his gorgeous swing. I just wish he wouldn't do such boneheaded things. Here's to salvaging what's left of your reputation, Manny. Do it cleanly. Please.

Spring Training: It Is Upon Us

To be completely honest, I thought about writing that post about Timmy a grand total of once this weekend during the brief moments of free time I found myself in possession of, and I realized I couldn't do it yet. I haven't gone through the pictures... and I really don't want to use other people's pictures. I'll do it later. Tim deserves a full effort from me.

But I did want to celebrate the opening of camp. No matter who shows up early, pitchers and catchers reporting means that camp is open. I've thus far avoided any major media outlet, because I don't care to hear rehashes of last season's ending. I'll be hearing enough of it through the course of this season. So all I really know is that players have reported. Some Live from Spring Training thing taped on my TiVo last night, so I'll watch that as I'm putting together my Timmy post.

I'm excited, guys. It's been a really long off-season, and I can't seem to completely escape from the 'chicken and beer' taunts. It's tricky being one of the few truly devoted baseball fans around the water cooler, because (as I'm sure so many of you have experienced), more casual fans want an explanation of what happened. They want a player to blame, and they want a forecast for the new season... and I can't provide any of that information. As much as a lot of people want to blame Beckett, I need to remind those people that Josh (while shitty in September) posted the lowest ERA of his career (2001 not included since he only played four games) and allowed the fewest number of hits he's allowed since 2004. Besides, I'm a complete and utter homer for Beckett, so I'm not going to blame him. I'm also not going to blame Lester, because I don't have to. All I can do is say that I don't think the team, as a whole, really tried. Maybe I'm wrong, but from my point of view, that's what I saw. Individual players like Pedroia and Scutaro and Ellsbury still gave it their all, but it just seemed like a majority of the team was distracted. So there. It was a team collapse, not just a pitching staff collapse.

That being said, I'm ready to move forward. I harbor no ill will, except against the front office who made Tito walk. I still think it was the wrong decision, but it was theirs to make. Maybe Valentine will be what this team needs. Maybe he'll muck things up even worse. All I care about is that in a few days, pretend baseball starts. And a month or so after that, real baseball starts. And I can't wait to see what the guys have in store for us this season.

I Heard The News Today, Oh Boy: Wakefield Set To Announce Retirement

Call me ridiculous, call me a fool, but when I got back from lunch and heard the news that Tim was calling it a career, I wanted to cry. I didn't.... yet. I'll save that for later (what? I'm a very sentimental person. Sue me!).

Without exaggeration, my head is spinning a little from this news. I was nine when Tim joined the Sox. I have not known a team without Tim Wakefield. I should have known this was coming, but I didn't want to believe it.

I will get together some of my favorite pictures and put together an 'I love Timmy Wonderpitches' post. I just needed to post something right now. I know I'm not the only one who wishes it didn't have to end this way....

To all my fellow Sox bloggers out there, I implore you... take a minute to reflect on Tim and all he's done for the Sox. I honestly believe we are worse off without him than we are with him.

Beckett: Securely In Camp

Spring training is a wonderful time for me, as I'm sure it is for most fans. When the season ends, there's a lot of confusion. For some seasons, the end brings a lot of anger and anonymous sources and rumors and general unpleasantness. I get pretty reactionary, though I try not to. Usually by spring training, I have my feelings on each player sorted pretty thoroughly.

While yes, I agreed that Josh didn't help the team in September and his attitude probably wasn't a positive thing in the clubhouse. For about a week, I was convinced it might be time to part with Beckett. For the rest of the winter, I tried not think about what pieces should be moved to bring the best out of the team. Now, spring training is on the verge of commencement and I can say, I am as happy as I've ever been that Beckett is in camp.

According to a bunch of people whose opinions probably don't matter all that much to me, Beckett looked good throwing 50 pitches out of the pen. That's the kind of news about Beckett that I want to hear.

Of course, Lester was in camp earlier than Josh, so the reporters, if they so choose, could have a field day writing about how Jon is more motivated for the season than his right handed counterpart.

To be clear, I don't believe that for a moment. I'm just sort of waiting for one of the sports writers to get on it. Any minute now.

Four more days till the rest of the pitchers and catchers join the few ultra-motivated individuals who are already there. Guys, I can't wait. The hunger for baseball... it's rising again and I won't be able to quell it. Opening day can't get here soon enough.

Ortiz: Officially Contractually Obligated

The problem with updating my blog before I read any other baseball sites is that I tend to be late to the party on certain topics. For example, my last post said that I couldn't wait to see how Papi's arbitration hearing would go. Well, I then proceeded to surf the internet and found that there will not be a hearing.

The big man has agreed to a one-year, $14.575M contract. It's not two years like I hoped for, and it's not $16M like Papi hoped for, but it's enough to get Papi back in that familiar jersey for the upcoming season.

The Red Sox don't like arbitration. Theo had never gone through arbitration (to my knowledge) with any players during his tenure here. Looks like Keebs is determined to follow a similar pattern. I'm ok with that. At least David is still on the team. I don't know what I would do without him.

Truck Day: My Second Favorite Day In February

I know I missed posting on Truck Day. I was pretty busy, and only home long enough to score a couple of opening day tickets (I could not even begin to express in text how excited I am about this). But just because I didn't post doesn't mean that I forgot about the event.

I love truck day. It means baseball is coming. It would be my favorite day in February if my birthday wasn't in February. Valentine's day comes in probably fourth, after my birthday, truck day, and reporting day. No matter how terribly the season ended, and it was pretty freakin terrible, truck day means we are going to have the chance to start over. No records, no tough losses, no terrible performances, no rain delays... just 162 days of pure sun-shiney bliss. Every game is a day game in my head. And when the truck leaves for Florida, it reminds me that long afternoons of home runs and Fenway Franks are right around the corner. It makes me happy.

This year, there are going to be a lot of changes to get accustomed to. New GM, new manager, lots of familiar faces that will be missing from the crowd. Most notably, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield. I have to admit, despite my excitement for the new season, my heart breaks that neither has been brought back yet. In my mind, there IS no team without Jason and Tim. They have literally been parts of the Red Sox since I started watching baseball. The fact that they are simply not there doesn't sit right with me. I'm still going to hold out hope. If I'm honest with myself, I know I will be holding out hope all season. It will be, 'ok, well maybe they're still negotiating. Jason and Tim will join the club for spring training,' and then 'still negotiating. There's time to get them on the opening day roster,' and the after that will be 'the trading deadline is a perfect time to bring in some veterans who need jobs. Jason and Tim would be perfect for that!' I won't be able to let go until I know there's no hope left. So many changes... at least we'll still have Papi... I hope. His arbitration meeting is scheduled for today. I'm interested to see how it turns out.

Pitchers and catchers reporting day is on my birthday this year. I'll be out celebrating, and I will have a drink in honor of number 33 and number 49, whether or not they're back.