Red Sox fans are reeling following the death of knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Wakefield was a member of two World Series championship teams and one of the most accomplished players in Red Sox history.
He died Sunday at the age of 57 after a battle with brain cancer.
Tributes from his former teammates have been pouring in following the news of his passing, with many sharing their appreciation for his character both on and off the field.
Now, we want to know: What will you remember most about Tim Wakefield?
Whether you watched him from your TV screen or met him in person, tell us about your experience by filling out the form below, or by leaving a comment.
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Here are a collection of responses we’ve received so far:
“My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of ‘04, so she was going through chemotherapy during that year’s miracle run and we couldn’t travel from our home in LA to Boston to see any of it in person. By summer of ‘05 she was in remission, and we treated ourselves to a VIP weekend in Boston which included great Sox seats. The first night we arrived at Fenway very early, and were walking up the street when you heard this insanely loud merengue music blaring down the street. Sure enough, here comes Big Papi in this ridiculous red convertible Mercedes. He pulled up to the police barricade and it took a moment for them to let him in. As the cops pulled back the barricade, this Range Rover comes screeching up and cuts off Big Papi! There was a momentary Boston-style jockey for the lane, then the tinted window on the Range Rover rolls down and there’s Wake! They had a brief tongue-in-cheek road rage moment and then Papi let Wake go ahead. After all, he WAS starting that night. We were the only two fans on the sidewalk when this happened, and it felt very special. My wife would have a relapse and passed in 2008, but I’ll always have that special memory. RIP Lola, and RIP Wake!”-Mike G., Boston, MA
“My brother and (now) sister-in-law asked me to be the officiant for their wedding. (They were married on Sept 7, 2013. Our first place Sox beat the Yankees that day.) My contribution to the wedding ceremony was ‘9 Ways I Hope Your Marriage is Like Baseball,’ and my best hope for them was embodied by Wake. Here are the final two hopes of what I wrote and shared for them that day: ‘8. Pinch runners. Lefty specialists. Defensive Replacements. Not every player can steal the base. Or work the walk. Or induce the double play. You need a team of guys with different strengths to go deep into October. There are those times when Millar has worked the walk, and it’s up to Dave Roberts to get us to second. Mop-up guys, too. Sometimes you take the ball and work til your arm is jello and your ERA is bruised because it makes it better for your team tomorrow. I hope you can be Wakefield and ask for the ball. I hope you make each other better. 9. I hope you win.’ Yes, it’s about those amazing weeks in October 2004. But really, something to strive for: to be the person our friends, our people, our team can rely on. To do the hard work to make things easier for others. I didn’t know Wake personally, but by all accounts he was a gem, and he made us all better.”-Laura D., St. Paul, MN
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“Any time my Dad came across Red Sox tickets growing up, we always joked to one another ‘I hope Wakefield isn’t pitching that night’ (since his knuckleball wasn’t the most exciting thing to watch in person). Suffice to say, we loved Wakefield and everything he delivered to the community and the Red Sox organization; a life undoubtedly well lived.”-Daniel K., Medford, MA
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“I’ve been living in OC, California since 1983. My friends and I have been going to games at the Big A rooting for the Red Sox for 40 years. On May 27th, 1985 a friend and I made a last minute decision to go to the Sox-Angels game. When we got to the stadium we saw Tim Wakefield on the marquee as the starting pitcher for the Sox. I remembered his story playing for Pittsburg as a third baseman then changed over to pitcher. He then disappeared from baseball for a couple of years. We saw the first Boston win for Wake. I also remember Mitch Williams giving up a bomb to Vaughn and angry Anaheim fans throwing several thousand promotional seat cushions onto the field. Sox won by a lopsided score. The was the start of a brilliant Boston career. Thanks for the memories, Time. You are and will be missed.”-David C., San Clemente, CA
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“My daughter was receiving care at the Jimmy Fund Clinic in ‘05 and as soon as our nurse found out we were Red Sox fans, she told us the story of how Wake sat and waited for a little patient to be done with the procedure so he could meet him in person! He was adored by all there—even if they weren’t baseball fans.”-Cari C., Wayland, MA
“I have always adored and admired Tim Wakefield. Like a schoolgirl crush. Loved to watch him play. He was truly one of the good guys. Anyway, my son worked for the Sox for a year or two, and it was the annual picnic. My son was taking us up to the control room and coming down was Tim. I was like a kid! If it weren’t for the fact my son had his credentials on, I’m pretty sure security would have been called. LOL. He was gracious as ever and allowed us to take a picture. I had the pleasure of meeting him again at a WB Mason event held in Fenway. And of course the years I participated in Run to Home Base. Nicest guy. always made time for the fans. My deepest sympathies to the Wakefield Family.”-Maureen M., Weymouth, MA
Jenna Reyes can be reached at jenna.reyes@globe.com. Follow her @jennaelaney and Instagram @jennaelaney.