Curt Schilling, the former legendary pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, revealed on his podcast that his former teammate and knuckleball specialist Tim Wakefield has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
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Curt Schilling revealed yesterday on his podcast that Tim Wakefield has been diagnosed with brain cancer, we send our thoughts and prayers to Wake and his family, we’re certain that he will beat it. pic.twitter.com/Ue92PghMAB
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) September 28, 2023
"Recently, Tim was diagnosed with a very serious, very aggressive form of brain cancer," Schilling said.
Schilling also revealed that Wakefield had undergone surgery.
However, his announcement of the news didn't come with favorable reactions from everyone, including Catherine Varitek, the wife of another former Red Sox player, Jason Varitek.
Fuck you Curt Schilling, that wasn’t your place!
— Catherine Varitek (@CatherinVaritek) September 28, 2023
Based on her reaction, it seems this wasn't news Schilling was supposed to share.
Wakefield, 57, is currently an analyst for NESN, a local network in the New England area.
As mentioned, Wakefield stamped his name on baseball history with his knuckleball prowess. It was his go-to pitch throughout his career but was only discovered after joining the Red Sox.
Born in Melbourne, Florida, Wakefield was drafted in the eighth round and 200th overall by the Pirates in 1988. He made his debut on July 31, 1992 with the team. After a few stints in the minor leagues with the Pirates, the team released him on April 20, 1995.
After signing with the Red Sox six days later, Wakefield went to work with Phil and Joe Niekro, who encouraged Wakefield to use the uncommonly used pitch.
Wakefield spent more than a decade with the team, joining in 1995 and retiring in 2011. He was an All-Star in 2009, won two World Series titles, and finished with a 200-180 record, 4.41 ERA, and 2,156 strikeouts.
He finished third in the Cy Young voting in his first season with Boston, where he went 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA, 195.1 innings pitched, and 119 strikeouts.
