Timothy Stephen Wakefield also known as Tim Wakefield was a well-known professional baseball player. He excelled as a baseball knuckleball pitcher and had made appearances in 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Tim Wakefield was born on August 2, 1966, in Melbourne, Florida. He finished his schooling at Eau Gallie High School and then attended the Florida Institute of Technology.
Tim Wakefield started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates but gained fame with his 17-year-long association with the Boston Red Sox, from 1995 until his retirement in 2012. He was the longest serving longest-serving player on the team and also holds the distinction of being the oldest active player in the major leagues.
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Tim Wakefield’s Legacy
Tim Wakefield started his career when he was attending Florida Institute of Technology and started playing for the Florida Institute of Technology baseball team named Florida Tech Panthers. He was adjudged the most valuable player when he played as a first baseman in his sophomore and junior years. He played exceptionally well and set a record with 22 home runs when playing for the Panthers. He also created a career home run record at 40. In 2006, his uniform number, No. 3, was retired by the college.
Tim Wakefield clinched his 200th career game victory on September 13, 2011. He is placed third in career wins in Red Sox franchise history preceded only by Cy Young and Roger Clemens. His records with other clubs were also impressive and included second in all-time wins at Fenway Park with 97, behind Clemens’s 100, and is the all-time leader in innings pitched by a Red Sox pitcher. Wakefield was an All-Star in 2009 and he won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010.
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Pittsburgh Pirates
With a bonus check of $15,000, Wakefield was picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play as a first baseman in the eighth round of the 1988 MLB draft. When a scout rebuked him and said that he would never go beyond the Double-A ball as a position player with his skills, Wakefield perfected his unique style, the knuckleball that made him so well-known.
The next season Wakefield made his debut as a pitcher and started playing for Single-A Salem Buccaneers. He excelled in the art of pitching and in 1990 he graduated as a pitcher in 1990, and he led the Carolina League in starts and innings pitched.
More success followed Wakefield and he graduated further to Double-A in 1991. Wakefield led all the Pirates minor leaguers in wins, innings pitched, and complete games when he went 15–8 with a 2.90 earned run average.
Wakefield started the 1992 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the American Association. He clinched a league-high six complete games by July 31 and won 10 games averaging 3.06 ERA. He was called up to the majors and in his debut registered a win against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out 10 batters while throwing 146 pitches.
Wakefield also gave a fillip to the playoff-bound Pirates, notching an impressive 13 games and producing an 8–1 record with a 2.15 ERA. This performance earned him the National League Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award from The Sporting News. Post a victory in the National League East division, his team Pirates was pitted against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series.
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Wakefield notched victories against Braves star Tom Glavine and finished with an impressive record of a complete game five-hitter in Game 3 of the NLCS and another complete game in Game 6 on three days’ rest.
In the 1993 season, The Pirates pitched Wakefield their Opening Day starter for the 1993 season and he walked nine batters on Opening Day. Losing his position in the starting rotation, Wakefield was sent down to Double-A in July but was recalled in September. He struggled to maintain his form and ended the season with a 6-11 record and a 5.61 ERA.
He spent most of his time in 1994 with Triple-A Buffalo and was recalled in September but could not play due to an ongoing player’s strike. He was finally released on April 20, 1995. Post his release from the Pirates Wakefield was signed by the Boston Red Sox and ended with Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, Wakefield went 2–1 with a 2.52 ERA.
How Much Was Tim Wakefield Net Worth At The Time Of His Death?
Tim Wakefield was an American professional baseball pitcher and net worth at the time of his death was $23 Million in 2023. His main affiliation was with the Boston Red Sox. He earned a monthly income and salary of $1, 50,000 + and a yearly income and salary of $2 Million +
Wiki Biodata
Full Name | Timothy Stephen Wakefield |
Nick Name | Tim Wakefield |
Profession | American Baseball Pitcher |
Date of Birth | 02 August 1966 |
Birth Place | Melbourne, Florida, United States |
Date of Death | October 1, 2023 (aged 57) |
Death Place | Florida, U.S |
Nationality | American |
Main Affiliation | Boston Red Sox |
FAQs
How long did Tim Wakefield play in Major League Baseball?
Tim Wakefield made appearances in 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career.
What was Tim Wakefield’s net worth at the time of his death in 2023?
At the time of his death in 2023, Tim Wakefield’s net worth was estimated to be $23 million.
What were Tim Wakefield’s income and salary details during his career?
Tim Wakefield earned a monthly income and salary of $150,000+ and a yearly income and salary of $2 million+ during his baseball career.