Tim Wakefield’s career is over, falling just 6 wins short of Roger Clemens and Cy Young’s all time Red Sox mark. His time with the Red Sox deserves a salute.
In many ways, Tim Wakefield has had one of the most unique careers in Red Sox history. No person other than Johnny Pesky has interacted with more legends of the franchise. And Wakefield has done it as an active player.
He was teammates with two members of the 1986 squad and has been a teammate of every post strike Red Sox player.
He has connections to Red Sox players that is Kevin Bacon esque. He even was a teammate of a 1978 Red Sox player! (Albeit when Eck returned to finish his career in Boston.)
I was going to make a 25 man roster of great Red Sox players who were Wakefield’s teammates over his 17 years in Boston.
But I realized that he played with so many quintessential Red Sox players that I could actually make up TWO all time Rosters. One consisting only of players who originated in the Red Sox organization and those that were acquired from other teams.
Yup, it’s another Home Grown vs. Acquired Roster.
I am calling a player who started in the Red Sox organization as “Home Grown.” So that means Curt Schilling is on the Home Grown Team even though they picked him up from Arizona later in his career. They are my rules.
As always the Rosters will consist of a starter at each position, 5 starters, 5 relievers, 2 reserve infielders, 2 reserve outfielders, a back up catcher and a 25th man who could be any position.
Starting Catcher – Scott Hatteberg
Teammates from 1995-2001
Starting First Baseman – Mo Vaughn
Teammates from 1995-1998
Starting Second Baseman – Dustin Pedroia
Teammates from 2006-2011
Starting Shortstop – Nomar Garciaparra
Teammates from 1996-2004
Starting Third Baseman – John Valentin
Teammates from 1995-2001
Starting Left Fielder – Mike Greenwell
Teammates from 1995-1996
Starting Center Fielder – Jacoby Ellsbury
Teammates from 2007-2011
Starting Right Fielder – Trot Nixon
Teammates from 1996-2006
Starting Designated Hitter – Kevin Youkilis
Teammates from 2004-2011
Teammates from 1995-1996
Teammates from 2006-2011
Teammates from 2004-2007
Teammates from 2007-2011
Teammates from 1995-1997
Teammates from 2005-2011
Teammates from 2005-2010
Teammates from 2009-2011
Teammates from 2001-2003
Teammates from 2008-2009
Reserve Infielder – Tim Naehring
Teammates 1995-1997
Reserve Infielder – Shea Hillenbrand
Teammates 2001-2003
Reserve Outfielder – Josh Reddick
Teammates 2009-2011
Reserve Outfielder – Donnie Sadler
Teammates 1998-2000
Reserve Catcher – Kelly Shoppach
Teammates in 2005
25th Man – Jed Lowrie
Teammates 2008-2011
Starting Catcher – Doug Mirabelli
Teammates from 2001-2007
Starting First Baseman – Kevin Millar
Teammates from 2003-2005
Starting Second Baseman – Todd Walker
Teammates in 2003
Starting Shortstop – Orlando Cabrera
Teammates in 2004
Starting Third Baseman – Mike Lowell
Teammates from 2006-2010
Starting Left Fielder – Manny Ramirez
Teammates from 2001-2008
Starting Center Fielder – Johnny Damon
Teammates from 2002-2005
Starting Right Fielder – Troy O’Leary
Teammates from 1995-2001
Starting Designated Hitter – David Ortiz
Teammates from 2003-2011
Teammates from 1998-2004
Teammates from 2006-2011
Teammates from 1997-2001
Teammates from 1997-2004
Teammates in 1995
Teammates from 2004-2006
Teammates from 1996-1999
Teammates from 2007-2011
Teammates from 2003-2008
Teammates in 1998
Reserve Infielder – Bill Mueller
Teammates from 2003-2005
Reserve Infielder – Mark Bellhorn
Teammates from 2004-2005
Reserve Outfielder – Dave Roberts
Teammates in 2004
Reserve Outfielder – J. D. Drew
Teammates from 2007-2011
Reserve Catcher – Jason Varitek
Teammates from 1997-2011
25th Man – Adrian Gonzalez
Teammates in 2011
That’s quite a collection.
And of course I skewed it towards players who played on winning Red Sox teams. I know Dave Roberts was only there for a few months, but would you rather see him or Carl Everett?
And I was hesitant to put Varitek on the roster at all! But notice he isn’t starting. That’s Mirabelli’s spot.
And yes I know Gonzalez is a better player than Kevin Millar, but these rosters are emotional and I’m putting the World Champion in the starting line up.
So Wakefield, who stretched through the Duquette and Theo years, over Kennedy, Williams, Kerrigan, Little and Francona and played for 9 different Red Sox playoff teams, will not continue onto the Bobby Valentine era.
But if the likes of Jose Iglesias or Ryan Lavarnway ever play for a World Series winner with the Red Sox, they can be connected to the 1986 team by 2 degrees.
It’s been fun Tim Wakefield.
You are a champion and you will be missed.
Sully Baseball 