By Mark Gray
6:00pm PST, Mar 8, 2024
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Boston Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield — who in 2004 helped the team win its first championship in 86 years — died at 57 on Oct. 1, 2023. Just five months later, his wife, Stacy, passed away at 53 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. "Our hearts are beyond broken," the Wakefield family said in a statement on Feb. 28, 2024.
Before Tim died, the Red Sox announced that the 200-win pitcher had been ill. His former teammate Curt Schilling revealed — without consent from Tim or his family — that the knuckleballer had brain cancer.
Tim was one of the only modern-day players to use a knuckleball, a pitch of a bygone era, almost exclusively. While his accomplishments on the field were well-documented, he was also beloved for his work off the field: He won the Roberto Clemente Award for sportsmanship and community involvement in 2010. (According to ESPN, the Red Sox nominated Tim for the award eight times.) He often visited sick children at Boston-area hospitals and raised money for the Jimmy Fund, which works to combat childhood cancer.
After Tim died, many of his former teammates (and even some famous fans) took to social media to publicly mourn him.
Keep reading to see what they had to say…
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"I loved the anticipation of a Tim Wakefield start. The feeling that if his knuckleball was dancing, batters would look foolish and if it wasn't, Wake would look as human as the rest of us. What a gift that he pitched for the Red Sox. What a joy that he won 200 games. What a relief that he got the WS rings he deserved. I was lucky enough to cross paths with him a few times over the years and, unlike his knuckleball, you always knew what you were going to get — a kind and big-hearted man. RIP" —Seth Meyers
MORE: Stars we lost too soon
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"Wake exemplifies what this uniform is, and it's not just the name on the back, it's the name on the front. He exemplifies what it means to be a Red Sox and what it means to be a professional." —Jason Varitek via NESN
MORE: Stars we lost in 2023
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"Curt Shilling @gehrig38 keeps doing racist, illegal, immoral and heinously inappropriate things. This time disrespecting former Red Sox teammate Tim Wakefield. Perhaps we have found Donald Trump's 2024 running mate?" —Billy Baldwin
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"Rest in peace Tim Wakefield. Can never thank you enough for what you did for the Red Sox. Forever a LEGEND!!!" —Bill Burr
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"So heartbroken to hear of the Passing of Tim Wakefield. We played a lot of golf together and in various pro ams. Such a sweet friend, a great husband and an incredible father. We all loved you Timmy and you'll be missed. See ya in heaven buddy." —Larry The Cable Guy
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"I can't describe what you mean to me and my family, my heart is broken right now because I will never be able to replace a brother and a friend like you…. Rest and peace my brother." —David Ortiz
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"I don't have words, we were together a week ago, and I was so looking forward to being here for you on this stretch." —Pedro Martinez
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"He was a great teammate and just a great friend." —Kevin Youkilis
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"Heartbroken" —Johnny Damon
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"We lost a brother, a teammate, a family member. This guy was one of the best teammates I ever had. This is not BS. This guy was there for us all the time. He was accountable. He was what a Boston Red Sox should look like. Of all the guys I played with, nobody wore their jersey with more pride than Tim Wakefield." —Red Sox manager Alex Cora via NESN
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"It's just like I got kicked in the stomach" –Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona
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"In total shock and disbelief over the loss of my good friend and hero Tim Wakefield. We all loved Wake. One of the nicest and kindest guys ever" —Doug Flutie
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"I'm so sorry for your loss. And Boston's loss." —Alyssa Milano
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"Couldn't ask for a better guy than TIM" —Shane Victorino
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"Tim Wakefield's kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball." —Red Sox owner John Henry
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"Wake was a great dude! I cant believe it still ! We are the same age which really puts things in perspective" —David Justice
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"Ah, man. Just my heart goes out to their family. My thoughts to all the Red Sox organization but also around baseball, where Tim was beloved. Obviously, a sad day." —Yankees manager Aaron Boone
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"Words cannot describe how deeply saddened we are to hear this tragic news. Tim Was a great teammate competitor and friend. Most of all a great human being. Im gonna miss you my friend. To the Wakefield family im am so sorry for your loss. We love you and are here for you. RIP" —David Wells
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"Absolutely heart broken" —Roger Clemons
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"He was just the ultimate team player, the way he pitched with the knuckleball all those years, starting, reliving. He was overlooked a lot of times because he was a knuckleballer. And also, just tremendously charitable off the field as well." —David Cone
