Sun Setting on Wakefield, Random Thoughts (July 21, 2010)

On the verge of turning 44 and on the cusp of tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens for the most victories by a Red Sox pitcher, it looks like it is time for Tim Wakefield to call an end to his career. I get no pleasure out of hoping that the Red Sox or Wakefield makes the decision to end what has been one of the most surprisingly successful tenures by a player in a Boston uniform. Wake has done everything for the Sox since being picked up off the scarp heap by Dan Duquette in 1995. He has started 404 games, appeared as a reliever in another 141 games, and has been a consistent presence for Red Sox managers from Kevin Kennedy to Jimy Williams to Terry Francona. When the Red Sox opened the 2004 World Series, it was Tim Wakefield who got the nod in Game 1 at Fenway Park. It was a fitting tribute for a player who had been a part of some very good times (he finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting in 1995) and some historically bad times (I have never felt worse for an athlete than I did for Wake when Aaron Boone went deep in 2003) with the Red Sox. Surviving the ups-and-downs of the Red Sox is a New Englander's lot in life and with 16 seasons spent in Boston, Tim Wakefield has become one of us so his start against the Cardinals made it seem like any kid from Milton could have taken the mound with the hopes and dreams of Red Sox Nation resting on their shoulders. Being a contributor to the World Series teams in 2004 and 2007 will be the most visible facts when he is someday inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame but don't forget the '95 run at the Cy Young, his 2009 All-Star debut, or his 17-8 record on the 1998 team that truly made Sox fans believe we could beat the Yankees at some point in our lives. His knuckleball has floated in and out of the strikezone for the better part of my lifetime and the memories of what Tim Wakefield has done for baseball in this region will be just as constant when the curtain does finally come down on his career... If the Red Sox find themselves on the outside looking in when the postseason begins in October, losses like last night's 10-inning fiasco in Oakland - while the Yankees and Rays both lost - will be more bitter to swallow than one of Joe Donovan's infamous Baseball Tavern margaritas... Clay Buchholz returns from the disabled list this afternoon against the A's as the Red Sox try and take 2-of-3 games at the start of their important road trip. The All-Star hurler has missed over three weeks with a hamstring strain suffered in a start against the Giants on June 26. Buchholz' return is the first of seven Sox stars currently recovering from injuries. While the team is still waiting to get Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jason Varitek back in uniform, the team will welcome back Josh Beckett and Jeremy Hermida this weekend in Seattle... I would not be opposed to the idea of the Celtics re-signing swingman Marquis Daniels despite his inconsistent play last season. Injuries and a non-defined role hampered what many thought would be a successful year for the 6-6 Auburn graduate. With the options for finding a reliable backup for Paul Pierce and Ray Allen dwindling by the day, Daniels would have the benefits of knowing Doc Rivers' system and of having played with the team for one year already. Another idea would be to use the Rasheed Wallace Contract (it has now officially become his name) to entice the Houston Rockets to deal Shane Battier to Boston. The Rockets are in danger of paying the luxury tax and moving the valuable Battier for the rumored-to-retire Wallace would be a financially sound move for Rockets general manager Darryl Morey. Battier would provide more size than Daniels (the Duke grad is 6-8), consistent three-point shooting (38.5 career 3P%), and most importantly is a better defensive player. With LeBron James and Dwayne Wade sizing up the aging Pierce and Allen, having a lockdown defender coming off the bench who can also shoot would give the Celtics a huge advantage in the Eastern Conference... Enjoy "Football at Fenway" tonight...