Knuckler (21 page)

THE BIG LEAGUES BECKON: At Triple-A Buffalo in 1992, Wakefield went 10-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 20 starts, earning a promotion to the major leagues.

Courtesy of the Buffalo Bisons

ELVIS HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING: Wakefield's arrival in the majors was nothing short of a whirlwind, producing an 8-1 record and postseason heroics. Years later, Pirates manager Jim Leyland would describe Wakefield the rookie as "the Elvis Presley of the National League."

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Dave Arrigo / Pittsburgh Pirates

KNUCKLE SANDWICH: After being released by the Pirates in the spring of 1995, Wakefield was able to resurrect his career with the Red Sox, thanks to the advice and guidance of knuckleballing brothers Phil Niekro (left) and Joe Niekro (right).

Chuck Solomon / Sports Illustrated / Getty Images

GRIP, KICK. . . : During his time in Boston, Wakefield has served as starter, closer, middle reliever, and long reliever, validating Phil Niekro's assertion that knuckleballers are among the most versatile and, therefore, valuable commodities in baseball.
Courtesy of Gary D. Ambush Photography

. . . AND THROW: In the end, Wakefield became the Red Sox all-time leader in innings pitched, meaning he has recorded more outs than anyone in the history of the franchise. He ranks in the top three on the club's all-time list for victories.
Courtesy of Gary D. Ambush Photography

THE FAB FIVE: During their historic championship season of 2004, the Red Sox starting rotation consisted of (from left to right) Derek Lowe, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, Bronson Arroyo, and Wakefield.
Julie Cordiero / Boston Red Sox

THE BOONE OF HIS EXISTENCE: For the second time in his career, Wakefield was on the verge of being named Most Valuable Player of a League Championship Series when his fortunes rapidly turned. Aaron Boone's home run against Wakefield in extra innings of Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS sent the Yankees to the World Series and had Wakefield fearing he would be remembered as the Bill Buckner of his time. That distinction, of course, ultimately belonged to Red Sox manager Grady Little.

ABOVE:
Julie Cordiero / Boston Red Sox

RIGHT:
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Matt Campbell / epa / Corbis

THE KNUCKLER ALSO RISES: One year after allowing the homer
to Boone, Wakefield helped the Red Sox complete the most stunning comeback in baseball history. After the Red Sox rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the Yankees in the ALCS, Wakefield this time celebrated in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.

Julie Cordiero / Boston Red Sox

G'DAY MATE: Wakefield spent a significant chunk of his Red Sox career paired with batterymate Doug Mirabelli, who became his personal catcher.
Julie Cordiero / Boston Red Sox

GAME 1 STARTER: Following the 2004 series win over the Yankees, Red Sox manager Terry Francona named Wakefield his starter for Game 1 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Wakefield recorded a no-decision in the outing, the first of four consecutive Red Sox wins in Boston's climactic World Series sweep.
Brita Meng Outzen / Boston Red Sox

FAN FAVORITE: An injured Wakefield pulled himself from the
playoff rotation in 2007, but his contributions were not forgotten.