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Pitcher personified New England’s ties to the Red Sox

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | letters | a knuckleballer retires

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 23, 2012

TIM WAKEFIELD, the Red Sox pitcher who announced his retirement last week, has been a beloved presence in New England since he arrived 17 years ago (“Final out recorded, Wakefield announces retirement,’’ Sports, Feb. 18).

Who can forget that winning streak at the start of his Red Sox career? Or the many times he “took one for the team’’ to keep us in the hunt, especially in the 2004 World Series championship season?

There is a unique bond between New England and the Sox, and Wakefield came to personify what we loved about the team in our 86 years wandering in the desert. He was a professional who went out every day and did whatever was needed to help the team. It wasn’t about him, it was about the team and winning, and the knowledge that Red Sox nation would love those who left it all on the field - win or lose.

Every start by Wakefield was anticipated because it was a unique rollercoaster ride during the game, as we wondered at the fight and dance of each pitch and worried it over the plate for a strike. No matter where the Sox were in the standings, watching a Yankees star look silly flailing at the knuckler would always lift our spirits.

But more than that, Wakefield also worked tirelessly and quietly for the Jimmy Fund and the community. He defined citizenship for Red Sox nation and he will be missed.

Phil Shevrin