A Message to Tim Wakefield, from Terry Francona

Terry Francona reflects on Tim Wakefield's impact to the Red Sox organization ahead of their home opener in 2024.

[@GatorMcClusky]

My daughter passed away from cancer. She was 17 years old. His baseball career was meaningless, next to the joy that he gave the kids at the jimmy Fund. Careers come and go, but your love, will endure forever.

[@thomassweeney8478]

A life long Oriole fan I could not get through five minutes of this before the tears came. I almost wish we had lost the game today. Wake was everything you want in a player and a person. Gone to soon he and Brooks can talk baseball now. Both Tim and Stacy were such nice people and that damn Cancer just does not care.

[@br9421]

This was a tribute well deserved for a pitcher with a unique pitch and obviously a big heart. Well done thank you coach

[@ericradford2142]

RIP Tim and Stacy Wakefield

[@tkillcoin]

Well great. Now I have to go back to work having been sobbing. Thanks Tito! Thank you Wake!! Thank you Stacy!!!

[@yayaa8721]

RIP Tim and Stacy Wakefield. I wept while watching this. Watched and went to a ton of Red Sox games growing up as I don't live far away from Boston. Year in and year out there was always that constant in the pitching rotation, Wakefield. Feels like I lost an uncle even tho I never met him.

[@pnwguy00]

As a baseball fan, the story of 2004 Red Sox ending their 86 year drought, after a 3-0 ALCS series comeback over arch rival Yankees, is the best story in modern day baseball. And it's not remotely close.

[@tmcclafferty]

As a long time, life long, Yankees fan, I was extremely sad to hear of his passing. A true competitor and a class act. And for his wife to lose her battle so soon afterwards I can only say I will pray for your family, go with Gods Speed Tim and Stacy

[@Medic746]

He deserves to be in Cooperstown when his time comes! And the #49 should NEVER be worn in Boston again, if you ask me!

[@markpekrul4393]

When Wake passed away I heard it reported that Stacy was also ill. Until watching this video I did not know she had passed as well. There are no words to convey what Tim meant to the club and to Red Sox fans everywhere, and there are no words to describe the tragedy of them both dying so young. Thanks to Terry Francona for this. Just sitting here crying now.

[@Stevedrums741]

As a Yankees fan since 1977, I remain heart-broken for this double loss. Life sometimes simply isn't fair, but the legacy we all leave behind is reflective in how we lived while we lived. And he and his wife lived well, honorably and honestly. I hope there is an afterlife where they are free of the bodies that betrayed them, and I hope their kids remain strong in navigating a world without their parents.

[@rafemanrafeman6705]

Thanks to tim every kid in new england grew up trying to throw a knuckleball rip to on eof the greats.

[@edross2826]

What a great Red Sox player, but what an even greater human being. RIP, champion, along with your beautiful wife. Your life is worth emulating.

[@arthurcooper90]

We love you terry,,, miss you wake

[@thegreatgumbino420]

Tim lived in the same town as my parents. One day in 2013, I went to the theater with my mom and noticed Tim standing in the lobby. I ran out to the car to get a baseball out of my backpack and asked him to sign it. I told him that as a Yankees fan, he was always a joy to watch pitch. He was extremely gracious and kind and signed my ball with a smile. RIP Tim and Stacy Wakefield

[@jjh5374]

There goes Tim Wakefield, the greatest Red Sox player who ever lived. Thank you for everything, you were a heck of a player and an even better human.

[@lindataylor6458]

So nice of you so sad for their children RIP both of you and God bless your children

[@ChosenOne-jk6go]

He was a gentleman amongst gentleman!! A great pitcher and even better human being!! Thanks for the memories Wake!!

[@nualajennings365]

More people need to know about this.

[@pmointernet]

Been a Sox fan since I was a kid back in the 1970's. Wake is one of my favorite players ever. I LOVED watching him pitch. What a man too, he and his wife were beautiful people.