FORT MYERS, Fla. — The best the Red Sox were willing to offer Tim Wakefield was a minor-league contract and an invitation to spring training. There were no guarantees.
General manager Ben Cherington said it was "an objective" decision.
After weeks of wrestling with the decision and a few sleepless nights, Wakefield decided to go out on his terms and retire.
"It's with a heavy heart that I stand here today," Wakefield said, his voice catching. "I'm saddened to say that I've decided to retire from this wonderful game of baseball. For the past 17 years, all I've ever wanted to do is what was best for our team and the organization, whether it was starting, closing or whatever I was asked to do I always had my spikes on and was ready to go.
"I've been so blessed to have been able to wear this uniform and be part of this historic franchise for as long as I have and I've enjoyed many successes along the way. But when it came down to it, I had to take a hard look at what was best for me, my family and the Red Sox. There is nothing that I want more than for this team to win and it's hard sometimes to take yourself out of the decision process. But in my heart I feel that by retiring I'm giving them a better chance to do that."
Wakefield said it also was best for his family as he wants to spend more time with his two children.
The righthander than thanked the owners, team staffers, his teammates, his managers and coaches. He also thanked Woody Huyke, the Pirates coach who in 1989 told Wakefield he should try to become a knuckleball pitcher. A first baseman at the time, he was on the verge of being released.
At the end, he thanked the fans.
"You are the greatest fans in the world," he said. "I have enjoyed every minute of every game I've played for you. I am eternally grateful for the love and respect that you've shown me over the years and I will hold every one of those memories close to my heart."
With little notice, the Red Sox put together a fitting ceremony for the most durable pitcher in their history.
About a dozen teammates emerged from the left field wall at JetBlue Park followed by Wakefield and his family. The crowd included Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester and Daniel Bard.
Wakefield wore a dark suit and had his 2004 World Series ring on ("It's the one that means the most to me," he told me. "The first one. It's special.") as he walked to the podium in shallow left field.
At first, he spoke with his head down looking intently at his notes. He also was nearly overcome with emotion when he said he was retiring. But once that moment passed, Wakefield seemed to loosen up.
As Bobby Valentine later said, "he seemed at peace."
