WATCH: Boston Red Sox Honor the Late Tim Wakefield Prior to Home Opener, Daughter Throws First Pitch

Tim Wakefield passed away on October 1, 2023

Today Tim & Stacy Wakefield’s daughter, Brianna, threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park, supported by her father’s 2004 teammates. pic.twitter.com/ZQOEwWva2S

— NESN (@NESN) April 9, 2024

Approximately 40 players from the fabled 2004 Red Sox stood behind 18-year-old Brianna Wakefield, and their hearts were full while watching her throw the ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox coach Jason Varitek.

(MLB.COM) – The first pitch that mattered most was not the one that Brayan Bello threw at 95.8 mph in Boston’s eventual 7-1 loss to the Orioles in the 113th home opener at Fenway Park.

No, it was thrown a few minutes earlier, and the radar-gun reading wasn’t necessary.

Approximately 40 players from the fabled 2004 Red Sox stood behind 18-year-old Brianna Wakefield, and their hearts were full while watching her throw the ceremonial first pitch to Red Sox coach Jason Varitek.

“It was a beautiful moment for the fans and their family,” Varitek said.

Tim Wakefield, the venerable Red Sox knuckleballer from 1995-2011, and, in retirement, the honorary chairman of the team’s charitable foundation, died of complications from brain cancer on the final day of the 2023 regular season. The Red Sox were in Baltimore that day.

Stacy Wakefield, Tim’s wife, died in February after a lengthy bout with pancreatic cancer.

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He was born in Melbourne in 1966 and attended Eau Gallie High School and Florida Institute of Technology until being drafted by Major League Baseball.

He was a gifted athlete and held international fame, yet he remained dedicated to our community. He served on the Florida Tech Board of Trustees, and he received an honorary degree and many awards from Florida Tech for his humanitarian projects.

He hosted an annual celebrity golf tournament to raise money for Melbourne’s Space Coast Discovery (formerly Space Coast Early Intervention Center).

He was also dedicated to serving children in the Boston community through programs such as New England’s Pitching in for Kids, Touch ‘Em All, and Wakefield Warriors Program, to name a few.

The City of Melbourne dedicated Crane Field Park to Eau Gallie Commodores graduate Tim Wakefield during Little League Opening Day. (BPS image)

Crane Field Park was originally named in 1956 for the late Cecil Crane who was elected to City Council in 1951 and was instrumental in bringing athletic events to Eau Gallie. To continue to honor and recognize Crane’s legacy, Field #3 has been renamed Cecil Crane Field.

Tim Wakefield played prep baseball at Eau Gallie High School and college ball at Florida Tech before rising to the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox.

WAKEFIELD-350-1 — Tim Wakefield passed away on October 1, 2023. He was born in Melbourne in 1966 and attended Eau Gallie High School and Florida Institute of Technology until drafted by Major League Baseball.

Tim Wakefield passed away on October 1, 2023. He was born in Melbourne in 1966 and attended Eau Gallie High School and Florida Institute of Technology until drafted by Major League Baseball.

In 19 Major League seasons, Wakefield had a 4.41 ERA with a 200-180 record and 2,156 strikeouts. He was best known for his knuckleball.

In 2012, the legendary knuckleballer stood before a sold-out crowd of friends, fans and admirers at the inaugural Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction and searched for words to describe his feelings at the moment.

Wakefield, usually a cool customer on and off the playing field, fought back tears welling up in his eyes while thanking the coaches he played for along the way in his long baseball career and for the unwavering support of his family.

“I wouldn’t be here today if not for my high school coach, Ken Campbell, or my college coach Les Hall,” Wakefield said.

“I also would like to thank my wife, Stacy, for allowing me to pursue my dream.”

Inducted in the professional athlete category, Wakefield played prep baseball at Eau Gallie High School and his college ball at Florida Tech before rising to the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox.

WAKEFIELD-350-2 — Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Tim Wakefield said, “There’s something special about being recognized by those in your hometown.”

He won 200 games in the major leagues and despite playing in key playoff matchups, the All-Star Game and in the World Series before millions of fans, he said being inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame is the top honor he’s ever been given.

“There’s something special about being recognized by those in your hometown,” Wakefield said.

“Melbourne is my home and always will be and this is something I will remember forever. Of all of the awards I have been given, this one means the most to me.”

FOR INFORMATION about the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, or to make a nomination, e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-615-8111.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MEMBERS OF THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame is located in the main athletic building on the Melbourne Campus of Eastern Florida State College. Portraits and biographies of the Hall of Famers are displayed on the wall in the building’s main hallway that runs parallel to the gym and outside the athletic department offices.

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Legendary knuckleballer Tim Wakefield stood before a sold-out crowd of friends, fans and admirers during the inaugural Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction in 2012 and searched for words to describe his feelings at the moment.