…was I missed Tim Wakefield’s near no-no.
That complete game by Wakefield was just what the bullpen needed. The value of a knuckle ball pitcher who can eat innings can’t be overstated. And Wakefield has been doing this for the Sox for 15 years through two world series rings. And lets not forget his importance during the 2004 Yankees playoff series.
This article says it best:
Not only was his team reeling from its worst eight-game start in 13 years, but he had just hours earlier milked 11 innings out of his bullpen and had to put Daisuke Matsuzaka on the disabled list. The pitcher who was coming from Triple-A to take Matsuzaka’s spot was traveling all the way from Rochester, with no chance of arriving in Oakland by the start of the game.
So the Red Sox manager was somewhat heartened when Tim Wakefield stopped by his office with a message.
“He poked his head in the door, one of the few moments it was open, and he said ‘I understand my responsibility,'” Francona said. “And it wasn’t flippant. He meant it. Boy, did he ever.”
Just a few hours later, Wakefield had carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, settling for a complete game 8-2 victory over the A’s.
This is Pete Rose class stuff without the gambling. Who would not want this man on their team?
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