Congratulations to Tim Wakefield on win #200 (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

Really remarkable story.

After a scout told him that he would never get above Double-A ball as a position player with his skills, (he was drafted as a first baseman in 1988 by the Pittsburgh Pirates), Wakefield began developing the knuckleball that has made him so well-known, at the time stating "I just want to be able to say I tried everything I could to make it."The following season, Wakefield made his professional pitching debut while playing for the Single-A Salem Buccaneers. His immediate success led to a full conversion to pitcher in 1990 when he led the Carolina League in starts and innings pitched. Wakefield advanced to Double-A in 1991 and continued to improve, leading all Pirates minor leaguers in wins, innings pitched, and complete games when he went 15–8 with a 5.36 ERA.

The following season, the Pirates called him up and he went 8-1 down the stretch with a 2.15 ERA. He also beat Tom Glavine twice in the NLCS. And here we are almost 20 years later. He could have 240 wins or so by now, as he was buried in Boston's bullpen for a few years, and he always did whatever the team needed without being a distraction. On top of all that, he is one of the most charitable players in all of baseball.Amazing career when you think about how it started. to Wake!

 

[the moops]

Really remarkable story.

After a scout told him that he would never get above Double-A ball as a position player with his skills, (he was drafted as a first baseman in 1988 by the Pittsburgh Pirates), Wakefield began developing the knuckleball that has made him so well-known, at the time stating "I just want to be able to say I tried everything I could to make it."The following season, Wakefield made his professional pitching debut while playing for the Single-A Salem Buccaneers. His immediate success led to a full conversion to pitcher in 1990 when he led the Carolina League in starts and innings pitched. Wakefield advanced to Double-A in 1991 and continued to improve, leading all Pirates minor leaguers in wins, innings pitched, and complete games when he went 15–8 with a 5.36 ERA.

The following season, the Pirates called him up and he went 8-1 down the stretch with a 2.15 ERA. He also beat Tom Glavine twice in the NLCS. And here we are almost 20 years later. He could have 240 wins or so by now, as he was buried in Boston's bullpen for a few years, and he always did whatever the team needed without being a distraction. On top of all that, he is one of the most charitable players in all of baseball.Amazing career when you think about how it started. to Wake!

Yep. Although I quibble with the 40 extra wins possibility. Over the 4 year stretch where he was tossed in and out of the bullpen, he had 66 starts and amassed 32 wins. A much better ratio of W to GS than his entire career, and nearly as good as his best year.

 

[Adebisi]

Probably the most average ballplayer of my lifetime.

 

[the moops]

Probably the most average ballplayer of my lifetime.

He has had numerous average years, but he also had 2 incredible, nearly Cy Young worthy years in his career.

 

[Eephus]

Probably the most average ballplayer of my lifetime.

He has had numerous average years, but he also had 2 incredible, nearly Cy Young worthy years in his career.

A starter who can give a team 170 innings/year of league average pitching is a valuable commodity.

 

[Adebisi]

Probably the most average ballplayer of my lifetime.

He has had numerous average years, but he also had 2 incredible, nearly Cy Young worthy years in his career.

When?

 

[the moops]

Probably the most average ballplayer of my lifetime.

He has had numerous average years, but he also had 2 incredible, nearly Cy Young worthy years in his career.

When?

1995, where he finished 3rd in voting, and 2002 when he probably should have finished top 5 but his two teammates Pedro and Lowe overshadowed his year.

 

[Time Kibitzer]

Probably the most average ballplayer of my lifetime.

He has had numerous average years, but he also had 2 incredible, nearly Cy Young worthy years in his career.

When?

1995, where he finished 3rd in voting, and 2002 when he probably should have finished top 5 but his two teammates Pedro and Lowe overshadowed his year.

Pitching just 163 innings that year, probably not.

 

[Premier]

I hope Boston rolls him out there for another 10 years.

 

[the moops]

I hope Boston rolls him out there for another 10 years.

Wakefield is 21-8 against the Rays in his career. He has held them to a 680 OPS. Against all AL opponents, he has the most wins against the Rays, and has held them to the lowest BA, OBP and SLG.

 

[Norseman]

I hope Boston rolls him out there for another 10 years.

Wakefield is 21-8 against the Rays in his career. He has held them to a 680 OPS. Against all AL opponents, he has the most wins against the Rays, and has held them to the lowest BA, OBP and SLG.

I hope you think that his all time record against Tampa is relevent to now. He has only won 2 games against the Rays since 2008 (vs. 5 losses). The rest of those wins were against the Devil Rays..

 

[Premier]

I hope Boston rolls him out there for another 10 years.

Wakefield is 21-8 against the Rays in his career. He has held them to a 680 OPS. Against all AL opponents, he has the most wins against the Rays, and has held them to the lowest BA, OBP and SLG.

Holy crap this is a dumb post.