Knuckleballing workhorse Wakefield succumbs to brain cancer
Tim 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 that detailed not only his baseball statistics but a career full of charitable endeavors.
Wakefield had brain cancer, according to ex-teammate Curt Schilling, who outed the illness on a podcast last week — drawing an outpouring of support for Wakefield.
The Red Sox confirmed an illness at the time but did not elaborate, saying Wakefield had requested privacy.
“It’s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it’s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both,” Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner said in the team’s statement. “I know the world was made better because he was in it.”
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter was fired after a disappointing season in which baseball’s highest-spending team tumbled from contention by midsummer . ... Former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel of the Twins was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right calf strain shortly after covering first base Saturday night. ... Adam Wainwright made one final appearance in his 18-year big league career, striking out as a pinch hitter in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 4-3 season-ending win over Cincinnati. Reds first baseman Joey Votto, playing perhaps his final game with the club, struck out in the first inning, then was ejected before the top of the second by plate umpire Shane Livensparger.
Ryan Blaney beat Kevin Harvick to the Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway finish line by 0.012 seconds to advance into the round of eight of NASCAR’s playoffs. Harvick finished second but was later disqualified after the race when his car failed inspection. Harvick was followed by William Byron. Denny Hamlin rallied from a lap down to finish fourth. Later, Byron was moved to second and Hamlin to third . ... In NHRA, Greg Anderson (pro stock), Clay Millican (top fuel), Matt Hagan (funny car) and Gaige Herrera (pro stock motorcycle) won their classes at the Midwest Nationals in Madison, Ill.
In the WNBA, Jonquel Jones scored 25 points, including five in the final minute, and New York earned its first trip to the WNBA Finals in 21 years with an 87-84 win over the host Connecticut Sun. The former Sun star added 15 rebounds and four blocked shots for the Liberty, who will face Las Vegas in a matchup of the league’s two socalled “super teams” that starts on Oct. 8. Defending champion Las
Vegas is headed back to the finals for the third time in four seasons.
Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy,
who played two years at USC before transferring, underwent surgery to repair a displaced fracture of his right ankle, the university said . ... Georgia Tech coach Brent Key shook up his staff, a day after the Yellow Jackets gave up 38 consecutive points in a loss to Bowling Green. Defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker was demoted to safeties coach and Kevin Sherrer was promoted, the school said . ... Indiana coach Tom Allen
fired offensive coordinator Walt Bell, less than 24 hours after another dismal offensive performance in a 44-17 loss at Maryland.
Hae Ran Ryu completed a wireto-wire run to her first LPGA Tour title, a three-shot victory at the NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers, Ark. She shot a five-under 66 to finish at 19-under 194 in 54 holes.