Quick Look at Bonds; A Fitting Tribute to a Sox Legend

Before I start, I just need to get one important matter out of the way. Sean, I am giving you a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card.

Since everyone else in the world with a forum has commented on Barry Bonds and 755, I guess it's now my turn. Before I start I just want to let you know I am definitely in the minority on the whole Bonds situation. I'm not saying I like the guy by any means, but how can you not appreciate what's about to happen.

We have the steroid situation with Bonds. At this point it's almost impossible to deny it. He juiced. End of story. But really; who cares? We're about to see the most historic moment in sports history. Yes, it's surrounded by controversy. Yes, everyone hates Bonds. Yes, there's solid enough evidence that he was on steroids.

The bottom line is that we're about to see a record that has stood and grown since April 8, 1974 when Hank Aaron passed babe Ruth. Hate to say it, but I really want to see this happen.

And for all you Bonds-haters out there, don't worry his record isn't going to stand for very long. When it's all said and done, Wily Mo Pena will have completely eclipsed Bonds' accomplishment.
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You know that link to the Asian girl that writes about sports sitting to the right? Well I read a recent post of hers that really got me thinking. Here's the quote that got me going:

"Moving on, Josh Beckett just won his seventh game of the year. I am crying myself to sleep over this, and not just because he’s helping the Red Sox end my Yankees run of AL East titles. One of my more misinformed guy friends is convinced Beckett will win the Cy Young. Okay, he’s been pitching well, but he’s not even the best pitcher on his team (that would be Papelbon or Schilling), let alone the best pitcher in the AL."

Now this isn't going to be a Beckett-bashing section by any means. He's been phenomenal so far. I'm not here to belittle Schilling because I'm sure he'll surf the 'net, find this post, do some research, and end up putting his own post up including every stupid thing I did in college.

Papelbon's becoming one of the most feared closers in the game as we speak, so nothing bad to say about him either.

But where's Tim Wakefield's name in that discussion? Since when does having a 1.79 ERA not immediately put your name in the running as the best pitcher on your team or in the league?? It's an absolute shame how overlooked Wake has been in Boston. He came along in 1995 from the NL and since coming to the Hub has won 137 games, saved 22 games, posted a career ERA around 4.20 (not impressive until you recognize that he doesn't throw the ball harder than 75 mph). He's about 50 wins away from the Red Sox career record, a number that I honestly expect him to break. He's probably been screwed out of about 20 more career wins because it seems like everytime he throws the lineup takes the night off.

Wake was overshadowed by Pedro Martinez through the late 1990s and early 2000s (understandable, but still a shame). He stepped into the closer role after Tom Gordon fell apart. He worked the bullpen for a few years when no one else could handle the job. He jumped back into the starter role in 2002 and won at least 11 games every year since, and will do the same thing this year. Now he's overshadowed once again by Schilling, Beckett, Dice-K, and Papelbon.

Anyone remember one of the most underrated performances of the 2004 ALCS? I believe it involved a guy named Wakefield coming out of the bullpen during a game that they lost 18-6 to finish the game and save the arms of the rest of the staff for what ended up being the biggest series in Sox history. Ring a bell?

I remember watching the DVD of the 2003 ALCS, where Wakefield ended up giving up the walk-off to Aaron Boone. They showed Wake in the clubhouse after the game, face buried in his hands crying, with Trot, Millar, Tek, and the boys trying to calm him down.

Now go back and watch the 2004 Sox season DVD. I think my favorite part (well other than all the wins and everything) was a line from Derek Lowe (correct me I'm probably wrong on who said it) about Wake. He said Timmy boy stood on the mound after that game for a good 15 minutes after the celebration with tears in his eyes. I believe it was 'Tek (again, might be wrong there) that said to Wake that this win was for him.

Maybe I'm biased because I was a knuckleballer back in my heyday (ask Greech about it he caught me for a couple years and to this day has never seen anything quite like it), but I'd gladly call Wakefield the most important Red Sox pitcher of my generation. He's taken on every role a pitcher can take and he's done with better than he's ever gotten credit for.

And he's looking better than ever as I write this. Luckily we have him for the bargain deal of $4 million a year for the rest of his career. Then, if I have any say whatsoever, you'll see that number 49 up there with 1, 4, 8, 9, 27, and 42 on the Fenway right-field roof.


Thanks for reading along, and a special thanks to Felisa for overlooking Wake like everyone else and helping inspire this column. Your ignorance is much appreciated. Any comments, feel free to hit us up at thesportshub@gmail.com