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Wakefield not on World Series Roster

Red_sox_game_41206_026_tiny by Randy Booth on in News

Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield will not be playing in the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox.

The issue, according to Wakefield and Terry Francona, is Wakefield's recovery time in the series. Francona said Wakefield would have started game two but they weren't sure if he'd be able to start game six, also.

I'm still really confused by this situation. I would understand if Wakefield isn't healthy enough to pitch, but it seems like they're dodging something here. Francona said Wake would have started game two, meaning they're scared to have Wake pitch in Colorado? I believe it.

If Wake were healthy, I wouldn't want him pitching  two games while Daisuke Matsuzaka would pitch one at most. I think the Sox really need Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling heading the rotation, not Beckett and Wakefield. Wake is just too inconsistent.

[editor's note, by Randy Booth] Wakefield update!

More on Wakefield. Here are some things he said earlier on the situation:

"I really wish I was up here talking about my starting Game 2," Wakefield said. "But unfortunately that's not the case today. After long talks with [Terry Francona] and John Farrell and Theo [Epstein], my health, advice from the doctors, it's not going to happen, unfortunately.

"Could I pitch Game 2? Probably. But are you going to get 100 percent out of Tim Wakefield? I don't know that either, until Tuesday. After that I don't know either, because dealing with this problem that I've had for the past two months, it seems like my recovery time in getting longer and longer, and I just don't think it's fair to the other 24 guys on this team that I go out there and maybe I pitch well and maybe I don't, and then I'm not available for the rest of the series. It's not fair for the rest of the 24 guys in that clubhouse for me to put them through that."

So it looks like he would have definitely pitched game two had he been healthy or thought he would best rested enough.

Does anyone else think, after these comments, this could be Wakefield's last season as a professional baseball player?

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Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I'm not sure I believe Wake would have pitched G2. Surely we would have gone for the jugular with our three best pitchers first up.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 23, 2007 4:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Wasn't the idea of Wake pitching Games 2 and 6 related to thinking if he had to hit in Game 4 in Coors that it might aggravate his injury?  Anyway, moot point now.

by WildYams on Oct 24, 2007 12:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Had more to do with what would've been a lack of movement on the knuckler in that atmosphere.

by Allen Chace on Oct 24, 2007 1:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I read that it was health-related. Wake stood to do some permanent damage by causing inflammation-related impingement.
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Oct 24, 2007 1:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Well, yeah, but I was answering the question which I think had to do with why he wasn't pitching at Coors specifically.

by Allen Chace on Oct 24, 2007 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Well, my question is, who gets to be on the roster in wake's absence? Surely they must get to add someone or else theyd keep wakefield just in case.

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 4:43 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
snyder is probably one of the better choices...And dont everyone mob me at once but...what about tavarez? Not as a starter, jon lesters gotta be the one for that. But the guy plays his heart out, has alot of experience in the NL and is a potentially solid middle reliever.

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 4:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I don't like Tavarez's inconsistency. Snyder put up some good numbers this season:

54.1 IP, 45 hits, 41 strikeouts, 3.81 ERA

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Oct 23, 2007 5:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I like that idea. He's got a lot of versatility. He's definitely not the best pitcher, and not always consistent, but he was a part of the tremendous success we had in April and May. If he gets in a jam, hook him early though. Plus, if I remember correctly he's batting 1.000 for the season (1 PA)

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 23, 2007 5:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Snyder
... was not good in the second half.  In 22.1 post-All Star innings, Snyder was 1-2 5.24 ERA 1.43 WHIP, with 16 K 15 BB.  Those numbers aren't significantly better than Hatchet Face's.  

I'd rather have Tavarez on the roster for two reasons: (1) He has more play-off experience. (2) More importantly, Hatchet Face is a groundball pitcher.  There might be three games played at Coors Field.  Snyder allowed 5 HR in 22.1 IP in the second half.  Hatchet Face allowed the same number--but in 46 IP after the ASG.  As a reliever this year, Tavarez only allowed 2 HR.  

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 23, 2007 6:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Snyder
I perhaps should have been more specific. I was referring to Hatchet Face. And apparently I missed 3 other Hatchet Face ABs. He's batting .250. :)

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 23, 2007 8:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Well, lets try and predict what the pitching roster will be like. First im assuming theyr going to take either 10 or 11 pitchers.
The most likely would seem to be:
beckett, schilling, dice-k, lester, okajima, delcarmen, timlin, gagne, papelbon
thats 9, so then they could concievably take both snyder and tavarez.
Am i forgetting anyone?

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 5:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Hm yeah, they probably take him before tavarez.

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 5:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I'd still prefer Sexy Lips to The Closer Who Shall Not Be Named.

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 23, 2007 5:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
yeah anythings better than him right now

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 5:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Is that like saying Frau Blucher within earshot of the horses?
What would Dogbert do?

by panzermensch on Oct 23, 2007 6:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
NEIGHHHHHHHH!
For a week in Oct. 2004 I did not sleep.

by narbaysox on Oct 23, 2007 8:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tavarez
is more likely because he's more versatile.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 23, 2007 5:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
and thinking back, timlin, gagne, papelbon, delcarmen, are all righties..we really need lopez to balance out as another lefty in the pen.

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 5:33 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I'd honestly be a little sad if this were it for Wakefield. He got a ring in 2004, though [starting Game 1, IIRC]. Is there no possibility of calling on him from the 'pen?
What would Dogbert do?

by panzermensch on Oct 23, 2007 6:40 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
If you're only concerned about him getting a ring, I'm pretty sure he'll get one if we win. In '04 the Sox offered one to everybody who was eligble, even Nomar IIRC he turned it down and there was a whole ordeal with 'tek, etc.

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 23, 2007 8:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
oh yeah, practically anybody involved with the team at all gets a ring.

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 10:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Including me, believe it or not.

...don't believe it.

by Allen Chace on Oct 23, 2007 10:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Does Wally get a ring? I hope Wally gets a ring.

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 24, 2007 10:37 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I'd love to see Craig Breslow, now that I think about it some more...
OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Oct 23, 2007 7:08 PM EDT   0 recs

Snyder in
Kyle Synder will replace Tim Wakefield on the WS Roster

by Tippecanoe on Oct 23, 2007 7:10 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Snyder in
yep, i just read the roster. Looks like snyder is the only "surprize".

by spinz on Oct 23, 2007 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Quote of the Day
This is totally off topic but...

From Jeff Passan:

If Coors Field is a wood chipper, the Rockies' bullpen tends to be Steve Buscemi in "Fargo."

Acually, the article is about how good the Rockies pen has become, but that had me snarfing the milk.

You can take the boy outta Boston, but you can't take the Boston outta the boy.

by B Cap on Oct 23, 2007 7:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
The signs are ominous for Wake not playing next season...gee what a bargain at $4mil per.  I also don't think they'll bring back Schilling either so our rotation just got heaps younger.  I think maybe the idea for game 2 was to let him maybe go through the lineup twice as the unfamiliarity would've worked in his favour and then bring in Lester in the 5th or so.

by sydneysox on Oct 23, 2007 7:49 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I think Wake's done. He's barely justifying a roster position for himself (though that tiny salary helps a lot), but he's definitely not worth two roster spots anymore, and that's what he takes because we have to take Mirabelli (i.e., the batting void) with him.

And look at our potential rotation for next year: Beckett, Matsuzaka, Buchholz, Lester, and either Schilling or a free agent? That's not bad at all -- I hope Schill would take one year for $8 million or so.

by RSNexile on Oct 23, 2007 8:19 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I think you're right about the rotation, but Schill will cost around $12-13 million. And is probably worth it.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 24, 2007 3:43 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Not to kill the topic but... http://www.cafepress.com/mmmsox.180902469#
"SK: Hey, imagine what Steinbrenner's statue'll be doing. SO: Cast in bronze with his wallet out."

by mmmsox on Oct 23, 2007 8:45 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
If Wake is done, think we could ask Cleveland about getting Shoppach back? I think he would have promise as a catcher of the future here.

by Matzushocka on Oct 23, 2007 10:34 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
Maybe San Diego would give us Josh Bard and Cla Meredith for Doug Mirabelli ...
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 23, 2007 11:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
He's the catcher of their future. Martinez is playing more 1B.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 24, 2007 3:44 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
I feel like he may ride off quietly into the night, as well.

Wake's not any kind of egomaniac, but I do think he's too proud to continue on if he's going to hinder the team. He's the ultimate team player, and whether he's right or not, I think he may do a lot of thinking this offseason about whether he's up to throwing 170-190 innings as a starter next year. If he feels he's not, I have no hesitation saying he'll retire.

by Allen Chace on Oct 24, 2007 4:01 AM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
He shouldn't be pitching game 2. He should take a break and then come back and pitch in the world Series. If Colorado had a dome then I would want him to pitch, because in the dome his knuckleball is very good. Now that I know that he isn't pitching I feel more comfortable with Dice-K pitching.
-Baseball1294

by baseball1294 on Oct 24, 2007 2:27 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
If this is in fact, the end for Wake I want to take the opportunity while some one may read it to thank him. He has been a class act all along. There have been a few times he was dissed, being left off PS rosters, and didn't bitch. His charity work is stellar. Lastly, he had a very good chance to get 20 wins this year, till he got hurt. Not bad for a one pitch wonder, ex 1st baseman. To sum it up, thank you Tim for every year, baseball would be better if it had more people like you, so would America.

by SPOT on Oct 24, 2007 2:57 PM EDT   0 recs

Re: Wakefield not on World Series Roster
i hope he's back next year. $4 million for 20-plus starts is a bargain, especially when he goes through 4 week periods of being unhittable.
Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Oct 24, 2007 3:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

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