Tim Wakefield the person is a tremendous guy. He does a ton of charity work, so much that he has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award eight times, winning it once (2010).
He’s a great guy, and he’s impossible not to root for.
But, as a pitcher, he drives me insane.
As far as knuckleballers go, he’s pretty good. He’s very good. Probably the best ever. But, to me, that’s like calling him the skinniest kid at fat camp.
He’s still fat, he’s just slightly less fat than the rest of the fatties.
But regardless of what you think about knuckleball pitchers, you can’t help but root for Tim Wakefield. On the other hand, he’s maddening to watch.
The juxtaposition is what makes his pursuit of 200 wins so exhausting.
He keeps trying, and he keeps pitching just good enough to lose. Or he leaves the game too early and the bullpen blows it. Or he’s left in the game a little too long and he implodes.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
It just won’t end.
I can’t stand it anymore. Wake goes from unhittable to batting practice fastball in the blink of an eye. How Tito Francona deals with him is beyond me. Whenever someone gets on base it’s like a free triple because he throws slower than most little leaguers, and once they get on third base they’re just as likely to score off a wild pitch as they are a base hit.
It’s maddening.
And his next start is going to come in Texas against the powerful Rangers line-up. I’m sure that’ll work out just fine.
Fact is, Wakefield is barely good enough to start in the Majors at this point in his career. Over the last three seasons, Wakefield has a 4.95 ERA. He’s like a soft throwing John Lackey.
So, please, baseball Gods, just let him get his 200th win. Then immediately hold a retirement ceremony, make a huge contribution to a charity or three in his name, and never, ever allow the Red Sox to sign another knuckleballer again.
Thanks!
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