‘We’re family’: Red Sox celebrate 2004 World Series team, honor Tim Wakefield’s kids at home opener
boston25news.com staff,the associated press
·3 min read
When the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to capture the World Series title in 2004 to end their 86-year title drought, Johnny Damon was one of the first to grab the trophy. He immediately found Tim Wakefield – who’d bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs.
As Boston celebrated the 20th anniversary of that title team, Damon again put the trophy in the hands of a Wakefield, only this time the knuckleballer’s daughter.
“I just thought it was fitting for her to walk off the field with the World Series trophy,” Damon said following Tuesday’s ceremony ahead of the home opener against Baltimore. “Such a great day. Those kids are going through a lot and they know that they have a lot of family, the team that we had in 2004. They can always count on us. And especially if Brianna ever gets a boyfriend, she’s got to check with all of her uncles.”
Red Sox Hall of Fame pitched Tim Wakefield died at the age of 57 in October after a battle with brain cancer. Stacy Wakefield, Tim’s wife, passed away in February after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
A tribute video was played for both, known for their philanthropic work in the Boston area, along with highlights of the 2004 run.
It was part of an emotional day at Fenway Park. Ceremonies included former manager Terry Francona, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Damon among the more than 40 members present from the 2004 team.
The most noticeable absence was Wakefield.
Tim and Stacy’s children, Brianna and Trevor, led the members of the ‘04 team onto the field for the ceremony while carrying the World Series trophy. Brianna then threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former catcher and current Red Sox assistant coach Jason Varitek, flanked by her father’s former teammates.
The team previously gathered for the 10th anniversary of the championship and Damon, sporting the long hair he was known for during his time in Boston said, “for the most part our team is aging pretty well.”
“We still like each other. We’re just missing a few guys that we really wish were here,” Damon said.
Damon said the emotion that filled Fenway Tuesday underscored how much Wakefield and the 2004 team mean to the city.
“We’re family out there,” he said. “(Tim’s) kids are going to count on us moving forward and we are all going to be there for them.”
BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
BOSTON - APRIL 25: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox tips his cap tot he crowd during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 25, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield shakes hands with the crowd in celebration after the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot in the American League after defeating the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, September 25, 2003.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield throws a knuckle ball against the Texas Rangers Sunday, July 11, 2004. The Rangers beat the Red Sox 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts on July 11, 2004. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON - MAY 1: Tim Wakefield #48 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during their game at Fenway Park on May 1, 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 7-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield runs out on to the field before the game against the Seattle Mariners on May 15, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Wakefield was honored in a pregame ceremony by the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Former Boston Red Sox players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON - JUNE 27: Josh Beckett #19 (L) and Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox have a laugh before playing the New York Mets on June 27, 2006 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees on September 25, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 13: Former Boston Red Sox players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 24: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a knuckleball against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on July 24, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox poses during photo day at the Boston Red Sox Spring Training practice facility on February 28, 2010 in Ft. Myers, Florida. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 5: Starting pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Texas Rangers on July 5, 2005 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield stands in the dugout before the game against the Seattle Mariners on May 15, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Wakefield was honored in a pregame ceremony by the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch against the New York Yankees after entering the game in the fourth inning during game three of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after earning his 200th win after a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on September 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield retiring
FILE - Boston Red Sox's Tim Wakefield tips his cap as he comes off the field in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in Boston, July 24, 2011. Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday, Oct. 1 2023, (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file)
FILE - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield leaves the field after working against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Sept. 7, 2011 baseball game in Toronto. Wakefield, the knuckleballing workhorse of the Red Sox pitching staff who bounced back after giving up a season-ending home run to the Yankees in the 2003 playoffs to help Boston win its curse-busting World Series title the following year, has died. He was 57. The Red Sox announced his death in a statement Sunday, Oct. 1 2023, (Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press via AP, file)
Tim Wakefield
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers embraces former Red Sox players Tim Wakefield and Kevin Millar prior to Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
After nearly two weeks on the road and wins in seven of their first 10 games, the Red Sox walk away with their first loss at home against the Orioles.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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