There was a temptation to be stubborn, to show up at spring training and prove to the Red Sox once again that they weren’t finished with baseball, that his knuckleball was good for one more season and that his arm and bat could survive another 162.
Inevitably, that was not the case. In about one month’s time, the Red Sox lost both Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek to retirement as they both decided that their time here was done. Fighting back tears that contradicted their stoic nature, the knuckleballer and the captain made judgments for the best of their team, and themselves.
Last month, Wakefield stood on a field he won’t get to play on again and announced his retirement. At 45, the knuckleballer was headed home after 19 seasons, 17 of them in Boston. “It’s the end of an era, that’s what it is,’’ said teammate Jon Lester .
Wakefield was 200-180 in his career, going 186-168 in Boston—seven wins shy of breaking the franchise record of 192 held by both Cy Young and Roger Clemens. Wakefield said in the press conference: “I’m still a competitor. But ultimately I think this is what was best for the Red Sox and I think this is what’s best for my family and to be honest with you, seven wins isn’t going to make me a different person or a better man.”
Wakefield leaves the Red Sox having pitched the most innings (3,006) and made the most starts (430) in team history. He was second in games pitched (590) and strikeouts (2,046).
In Red Sox history, only Carl Yastrzemski (23), Ted Williams (19), and Dwight Evans (19) played more years with the team. Unlike those men, Wakefield retires having won two world championships.
At his ceremony at Jet Blue Park, Wakefield wholeheartedly said, “I’ve been so blessed to have been able to wear this uniform and be part of this historic franchise for as long as I have and I’ve enjoyed many successes along the way. But when it came down to it, I had to take a hard look at what was best for me, my family, and the Red Sox.”
Last week, following the lead of Wakefield, Jason Varitek announced his retirement after 15 seasons with the Red sox—seven of which as a captain. He caught a franchise-record 1,488 games and was a key member of the 2004 and 2007 World Series title teams.
Believe it or not, Varitek was a three-time All-Star and is the only player in history to have competed in the Little League World Series, the College World Series, the World Series, the Olympics, and the World Baseball Classic.
Joe Varitek, who raised Jason and three other sons, said in a later interview: “If you lead by example, which is what he does, it’s always a good feeling to see other people see and reflect on that. It’s a great feeling. It’s something you cherish for a lifetime.”
Owner John Henry noted that seeing Wakefield and Varitek retire felt like the end of an era for the Red Sox. “It says more about them, the class acts they are, than it does about anything else,’’ he said. “These are two extraordinary players who gave everything.
Varitek, who turns 40 next month, is working with the team to structure a position that will allow him to stay involved in some capacity. For now, there is another daughter on the way, soccer games to attend, and no regrets.
As for the Red Sox Nation, we move on without them. We look forward to the years ahead, and cherish the years behind us. We finish writing almost a twenty-year chapter that consisted of both Varitek and Wakefield. Stop for a second. Flip back to see how much they meant to the team. And continue writing in hopes that the next 20 years are almost as good as the last.
