It can be frustrating to be a Sox fan on the west coast. Few games are on TV over the course of the season and local games are limited to one or two trips to Oakland a year. I was extremely excited to be able to watch one of my all time favorite pitchers, Tim Wakefield, play on TV today. Making the game more appealing were the facts that Wake just came off of arguably his best performance of the year and that he would be pitching indoors where he usually pitches well. First inning goes well for Wake, 3 up and 3 down on 16 pitches. Finally I get to see Wake on a good night!! Too soon did I get excited.
Although dejected about Wake getting knocked out early, I wasn’t worried about the hole the Sox fell into (0-5) going into the third inning as their offense is quite capable of taking care of a 5 run deficit with 7 innings remaining, or a 4 run deficit with 5 innings left. I’m not a big Tavarez basher. He’s about one of the most versatile pitchers in the league, and a bargain, taboot. But it’s not his day today, either. Nor that of Timlin. They can deal with a 2 run deficit in 3 innings (oops, 3 runs.) That is, as long as the bullpen cooperates. Now I wonder if there’s any 9th inning magick leftover from last week. Not today. (The day wasn’t a total loss, the yankees did not win today.)
I always liked Doug Mirabelli and was sorry to see him go the first time and was perplexed when they let him go the second time. Despite his low batting average, Mirabelli was good for the Sox. He had strong relationships with Wakefield as his personal catcher (is there a better defensive knuckleball catcher?), and also with team captain and first string catcher Jason Varitek. I wondered if this was a subtle hint from upper management to Wake that he’s getting close to the end of his tenure. Kevin Cash has proven to be capable as a knuckleball catcher, and is providing offensive support I always wished Dougie could have produced.
Wake has had quite a solid and satisfying career, but I always hope to see him have that one HUGE all-star season, or a no hitter. And I certainly hope that this is not his last season. Wake has always been a consummate baseball playing professional. One of the most selfless acts I’ve witnessed in baseball was the year he volunteered to pitch in relief in the playoffs late one game, which would have jeopardized his start the next day. Class act, that Mr. Wakefield.
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