FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tim Wakefield, who pitched in three decades, won 200 games and was part of two World Series titles, announced his retirement Friday after 19 big-league seasons.
“Now,” an emotional Wakefield said, “I’ll have a lot of time to really reflect on all of the accomplishments I have been able to do.”
Drafted as a first baseman by Pittsburgh in 1988, Wakefield was converted to a knuckleballer after just two seasons. But in April 1995, after going 5-15 with a 5.84 earned-run average in Class AAA in 1994, Pittsburgh released him.
The Boston Red Sox signed him six days later and he raced out to an improbable 14-1 start, finishing 1995 at 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA. He had been with Boston ever since.
“I’ve been wrestling with this decision a long time, this whole offseason,” Wakefield, 45, said. “I think the final deciding point was when (wife) Stacy and I sat my two kids down and asked them what they wanted me to do. Like I said before, I never wanted to regret missing any part of their life, and I just think the time is now.”
Wakefield retires as the third-winningest pitcher in Red Sox history (186 victories). Cy Young and Roger Clemens both have 192 wins.
Burnett deal all but done
After more than a week of haggling, the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates finally agreed on a deal that would send right-handed pitcher AJ Burnett to Pittsburgh, sources said. The Pirates agreed to pay $13 million of the $33 million remaining on Burnett’s contract and the Yankees received two fringe minor-leaguers, right-hander Diego Moreno, 25, and outfielder Exicardo Cayones, 20.
Because of the money involved, the trade needs the approval of MLB. Commissioner Bud Selig is expected to give the OK. Once Burnett passes his physical, the trade becomes official and the Yankees are expected to sign a designated hitter, likely ex-Mariner Raul Ibanez.
A’s eyeing Ramirez
PHOENIX — The Oakland Athletics still have strong interest in signing slugger Manny Ramirez, who presents a low-risk investment for the rebuilding franchise.
If things come together, the 39-year-old would sign a deal for slightly more than the MLB minimum of $480,000.
He first must serve a 50-game suspension without pay for violating baseball’s drug policy for the second time. With no rainouts, the first game Ramirez would be eligible to play is June 2 at Kansas City.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.