BALTIMORE - Tim Wakefield told Fox Sports yesterday he wants to return to the Red Sox next season to chase the team’s career victories record.
“I’ve definitely made up my mind that I definitely want to come back next year,’’ Wakefield said. “I have another goal in front of me that I’d like to accomplish, and that’s the all-time record for the Red Sox in wins. I’m only seven away. I think the fans deserve an opportunity to watch me chase that record. We’ll see what happens.’’
Wakefield has 186 victories with the Sox in 17 seasons. Roger Clemens and Cy Young hold the franchise record of 192. Wakefield, 45, was 7-8 with a 5.12 ERA this season.
Wakefield just finished the final year of a two-year contract that paid him $2 million this season.
Buchholz activated Clay Buchholz was activated off the disabled list and available in the bullpen.
“I would only be able to go an inning or so, a couple of innings, maybe,’’ Buchholz said before last night’s 4-3 season-ending loss to the Orioles.
Buchholz has not appeared in a major league game since June 16 because of a back injury. He threw one inning (18 pitches) in an Instructional League game Monday. His most strenuous bullpen session - 40 pitches - came last week.
“I feel like my pitches are there and my arm feels good,’’ Buchholz said.
Buchholz has appeared in relief twice in the regular season (in 2007 and ’08) and never in the postseason. The 27-year-old was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 starts this season before he went down.
Ivy climber Until the Sox called up Ryan Lavarnway in August, the last position player from Yale to make the major leagues was outfielder Dick Tettlebach, who had 80 at-bats for the Yankees and Senators from 1955-57.
There have been several pitchers who went from the halls of academia in New Haven to the majors, most notably former Mets star Ron Darling and current Oakland reliever Craig Breslow. But hitters have been rare.
That is what has Yale coach John Stuper so excited about Lavarnway getting his chance.
“I’m living and dying with all of his at-bats,’’ Stuper said. “This is a terrific thing for the school and for our program. And you couldn’t ask for a better kid than Ryan.’’
Lavarnway started behind the plate for the first time Tuesday and hit two home runs to help the Sox to a critical 8-7 victory. He was back in the lineup last night, but went hitless in five at-bats.
Stuper knows what it’s like to perform well in a pressure game. He started Game 6 of the 1982 World Series for the Cardinals and threw a four-hitter in a 13-1 victory. St. Louis won the Series the next day.