Career Timeline of Tim Wakefield: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Tim Wakefield, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tim Wakefield was a Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher, primarily known for his 17 seasons with the Boston Red Sox (1995-2012). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and retired at 45 as the oldest active MLB player after 19 seasons. Wakefield was a significant figure for the Red Sox, known for his longevity and unique pitching style. He earned $55 million over his career playing for the Red Sox.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1988: Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates

In 1988, Tim Wakefield was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a first baseman in the eighth round of the MLB draft.

1990: Full Conversion to Pitcher

In 1990, Tim Wakefield's success led to a full conversion to pitcher, marking a significant change in his baseball career.

1991: Led Pirates Minor Leaguers

In 1991, Tim Wakefield led all Pirates minor leaguers in wins, innings pitched, and complete games.

1992: Major League Debut

In 1992, Tim Wakefield made his major league debut, throwing a complete game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

April 27, 1993: Threw 172 Pitches

On April 27, 1993, Tim Wakefield threw 172 pitches over 10+ innings in a game for the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Atlanta Braves.

1993: Named Opening Day Starter

In 1993, Tim Wakefield was named the Pittsburgh Pirates' Opening Day starter.

1994: Spent most of the season with Triple-A Buffalo

In 1994, Tim Wakefield spent most of the season with Triple-A Buffalo, leading the league in losses, walks, and home runs allowed.

April 20, 1995: Released by the Pirates

On April 20, 1995, Tim Wakefield was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1995: Joined the Red Sox and Won Comeback Player of the Year

In 1995, Tim Wakefield joined the Boston Red Sox and had an impressive season, earning the Sporting News American League Comeback Player of the Year award.

1995: Joined the Boston Red Sox

In 1995, Timothy Wakefield joined the Boston Red Sox, marking a significant turn in his MLB career. He played with the team until 2012.

1996: Wakefield's performance as a starter

In 1996, Tim Wakefield continued as a starter, contributing to the team's performance.

1997: Led MLB in hitting batters

In 1997, Tim Wakefield led Major League Baseball by hitting 16 batters with a pitch.

1998: Wakefield's performance as a starter

In 1998, Tim Wakefield continued as a starter, contributing to the team's performance.

August 10, 1999: Struck out four batters in one inning

On August 10, 1999, Tim Wakefield struck out four batters in one inning, joining a select group of pitchers.

2000: Relief pitcher and starter

In 2000, Tim Wakefield was regularly moved from the position of relief pitcher to starter.

2001: Repeated feat of leading MLB in hitting batters

In 2001, Tim Wakefield repeated the feat of leading MLB in hitting batters, plunking a career-high 18 batters.

2002: Relief pitcher and starter

In 2002, Tim Wakefield was regularly moved from the position of relief pitcher to starter and made 15 starts.

2003: American League Championship Series

In 2003, Tim Wakefield pitched in the American League Championship Series, allowing four runs over 14 innings against the New York Yankees and giving up a home run to Aaron Boone in Game 7.

2003: Made relief appearances

In 2003, Tim Wakefield was making relief appearances between starts during the American League Championship Series.

2004: Won the World Series

In 2004, Tim Wakefield contributed to the Red Sox winning the American League Championship Series against the Yankees and the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, ending an 86-year drought for the team.

2004: Made relief appearances

In 2004, Tim Wakefield was making relief appearances between starts during the American League Championship Series.

April 19, 2005: Agreed to Contract Extension

On April 19, 2005, Tim Wakefield agreed to a $4 million, one-year "rolling" contract extension with the Red Sox.

September 11, 2005: Career High in Strikeouts

On September 11, 2005, Tim Wakefield set a career high in strikeouts (12) in a 1–0 complete game loss to the New York Yankees.

2007: Finished Season with 17 Wins

In 2007, Tim Wakefield finished the season with a 17–12 record, but was left off the Red Sox roster for the World Series due to an injured shoulder.

2007: Wakefield Releases Charity Wine

In 2007, Tim Wakefield released a charity wine called CaberKnuckle, raising over $100,000 for Pitching in for Kids.

2008: Led majors in passed balls

In 2008, the 12 passed balls while Tim Wakefield was pitching topped the majors.

April 15, 2009: Pitched complete game win

On April 15, 2009, Tim Wakefield pitched a no-hitter into the eighth inning and earned a complete game win, becoming the oldest Red Sox pitcher to do so at 42.

July 3, 2009: Most Starts in Franchise History

On July 3, 2009, Tim Wakefield surpassed Roger Clemens for the most starts in franchise history.

July 5, 2009: Named an AL All-Star

On July 5, 2009, Tim Wakefield was announced as an AL All-Star, becoming the second-oldest first-time All-Star at 42.

July 31, 2009: Red Sox Acquire Victor Martinez

On July 31, 2009, The Red Sox acquired Victor Martinez. Martinez later began catching for Wakefield on August 26, 2009.

August 26, 2009: Victor Martinez catches for Wakefield

On August 26, 2009, Victor Martinez began catching for Wakefield, experimenting with various gloves before using a first baseman's mitt.

2009: Named an All-Star

In 2009, Tim Wakefield was named an All-Star, marking a significant achievement in his career.

June 8, 2010: Surpassed Clemens in Innings Pitched

On June 8, 2010, Tim Wakefield surpassed Roger Clemens for the most innings pitched by a Red Sox pitcher, totaling 3,006 innings.

July 1, 2010: Red Sox Reacquire Kevin Cash

On July 1, 2010, due to injuries to Martinez and Varitek, Boston reacquired Kevin Cash from the Houston Astros to serve as Wakefield's catcher and primary catcher.

2010: 2,000th Career Strikeout

In 2010, Tim Wakefield reached his 2,000th career strikeout, passed Roger Clemens for most innings pitched by a Red Sox pitcher, and joined Moyer and Pettitte as the only active pitchers with 3,000 innings pitched.

2010: Received the Roberto Clemente Award

In 2010, Tim Wakefield received the Roberto Clemente Award.

May 11, 2011: Oldest Player to Appear for the Red Sox

On May 11, 2011, Tim Wakefield became the oldest player ever to appear for the Red Sox at 44 years, 282 days.

July 24, 2011: Recorded 2,000th Strikeout

On July 24, 2011, Tim Wakefield recorded his 2,000th strikeout in a Red Sox uniform and won his 199th career game.

September 13, 2011: Won 200th Career Game

On September 13, 2011, Tim Wakefield won his 200th career game, solidifying his place in Red Sox history.

2011: Wakefield's 2011 season

In 2011, Tim Wakefield's season was captured in the documentary film Knuckleball! and he started his seventeenth season with the Red Sox as a reliever, later moving to the starting rotation due to injuries.

February 17, 2012: Announced Retirement

On February 17, 2012, Tim Wakefield announced his retirement from baseball.

June 2012: Wakefield Joins NESN as Analyst

In June 2012, Tim Wakefield joined NESN as a studio analyst for Red Sox coverage.

2012: Retired from MLB

In 2012, Timothy Wakefield retired from Major League Baseball after a 17-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox. At the time of his retirement, he was the oldest active player in the major leagues at age 45.