Tim and Stacy Wakefield honored by Boston Red Sox as daughter Brianna throws first pitch at Fenway Park home opener in emotional scenes – months after both her parents died of cancer
Tim Wakefield’s daughter Brianna threw the first pitch at Fenway Park on Tuesday for the Red Sox’s home opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Red Sox honored the 2004 World Series championship team at home when the players paid tribute to Wakefield following his death in October. In February, his wife Stacy also passed away, losing her battle with cancer.
As a nod to their late teammate and his wife, the Red Sox had 17-year-old Brianna throw the ceremonial first pitch. Later, she hoisted the World Series trophy with her brother Trevor, 19, before they hugged their father’s former teammates.
‘I just thought it was fitting for her to walk off the field with the World Series trophy,’ former Red Sox player Johnny Damon said. ‘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,’ he added. ‘Especially if Brianna ever gets a boyfriend, she’s got to check with all of her uncles.’
Late Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield’s daughter Brianna threw the first pitch on Tuesday
Wakefield passed away from cancer in October, his wife Stacey then passed away in February
Wakefield was part of the 2004 World Series championship team honored at the game
Boston is wearing heart-shaped No. 49 patches in honor of the knuckleball pitcher this season.
The Wakefields’ health conditions came to light when Tim’s former teammate Curt Schilling addressed their diagnoses on his podcast in September.
Without their permission, Schilling revealed that Tim was battling an ‘aggressive form of brain cancer’ while Stacy had pancreatic cancer. After Schilling shared the news, the Red Sox released a statement requesting for privacy on behalf of the Wakefields.
After facing backlash for revealing the news to the public against Tim’s wishes, Schilling declined the Red Sox’s invitation to attend the ceremony.
Still, most of the team that broke Boston’s 86-year title drought was present for the reunion and to honor their late teammate.
Brianna and brother Trevor hoisted the 2004 trophy and hugged their father’s teammates
Wakefield won two World Series titles after playing 17 seasons with the Red Sox
‘We still like each other. We´re just missing a few guys that we really wish were here,’ Damon said. ‘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.’
Wakefield won the World Series twice while playing 17 seasons with the Red Sox. He retired in 2012, aged 45, shortly after recording his 200th career win.
Additionally, Wakefield was remembered for his work off the field and generosity towards the community.
‘He did so much for charity and didn’t ask for cameras to show up,’ former teammate Derek Lowe told WBZ of Wakefield. ‘He did it for all the right reasons.’
