This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man. But it is not a simple question and the answer can take years to understand. Tim wakefield knuckleball pitching is a very small. The knuckleballer won 186 games with the boston red sox just six short of the franchise record held by cy young and roger clemens. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch wakefield, who began pitching for the red sox in 1995, read more. Rich in anecdotes and interviews, this book shares the unique stories of hoyt wilhelm, phil niekro, jim bouton, tom candiotti, tim wakefield, r.
Tim wakefield explains what makes steven wrights knuckleball truly amazing wakefield has worked closely with wright since he joined the sox in 2012. In 2016, wakefield was inducted into the red sox hall of fame. Tim wakefield and the glory of the knuckleball the new. Ranking the 10 greatest knuckleballers of all time bleacher. In june 2012 he joined nesn as a studio analyst for red sox coverage. Knuckleball book by lew freedman official publisher page. Jul 12, 2016 tim wakefield explains what makes steven wrights knuckleball truly amazing wakefield has worked closely with wright since he joined the sox in 2012. Its well done enough, having a great history of knuckleballers and some insider information about how teams and managers have handled or mishandled knuckleballers. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch by tim wakefield 2011, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Feisty new book on the knuckleball career of tom candiotti. The unpredictable knuckleball pitch shares the spotlight with the boston red sox pitcher wakefield in this book on one of the most enduring, determined hurlers in pro ball. Jun 08, 2016 knuckleball nation a closeup, slowmotion release of tim wakefield s knuckleball versus the kansas city royals in 2010. Tim wakefield explains what makes steven wrights knuckleball. He has been married to stacy stover since november 9.
When he retired, wakefield was the oldest active player in the majors. Catching a knuckleball for the bosox the boston red soxs new backup catcher, doug mirabelli, was reacquired by the team for the express purpose. Wakes number 49 should be the next number displayed. After a sensational first season with the pirates, the knuckleball magic abandoned. Tim wakefield had one of the most fascinating pitching careers in the modern major leagues. Tim wakefield has the yankees turning japanese as they try in vain to fathom the elliptical flight path of an inform knuckleball during the 2003 playoffs while the boston fans eat it up. Timothy stephen wakefield born august 2, 1966 is an american former professional baseball pitcher. The knuckleball is a fascinating pitch, worthy of a books worth of discussion. May 02, 2006 catching a knuckleball for the bosox the boston red soxs new backup catcher, doug mirabelli, was reacquired by the team for the express purpose of catching for pitcher tim wakefield. With tim wakefield starting tonight just three wins shy of 200 for his career, now is as good a time as any to look back on everything the knuckleball pitcher has accomplished and the long and.
Knuckleball nation a closeup, slowmotion release of tim wakefield s knuckleball versus the kansas city royals in 2010. Tim wakefield is a popular motivational speaker and keynote speaker. Wakefield helped the red sox win the 2004 and 2007 world series, made the allstar team in 2009, and won 200 games in his 17year career. Dickey, being underrated by even knowledgeable sports writers. As luck would have it, the boston red sox saw potential in wakefield, and knuckleball coaching combined with dedication revived his baseball career. First, this book is barely by tim wakefield its more of a journalistic history of the most successful knuckleball pitcher of the current generation.
Knuckleball nation a closeup, slowmotion release of tim wakefields knuckleball versus the kansas city royals in 2010. Ben mcgrath writes about tim wakefield and the effectiveness of the knuckleball, a baseball pitch that moves unpredictably in the air. His 17 seasons with the red sox were among the most in team history. Being a professional knuckleball pitcher myself, i know just how difficult the journey can be. The remarkable story of tim wakefields baseball career, and the dancing knuckleball pitch that carried him to greatness.
When wakefield matched up against the dodgers tom candiotti on august 26, it was the first time national league knuckleball pitchers had met since september, 1982 when phil niekro faced his brother joe. In part, we learn, the knuckleball is about being able to compete. Last year tim wakefield one of only two knuckleballers on a majorleague roster beat the yankees. And if youre sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, tim wakefields book is the perfect antidote. Few pitchers in red sox history will be as beloved as wakefield. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch wakefield, who began pitching for the red sox in 1995, is an eighttime nominee for the roberto clemente award which he won in 2010 and was ranked third in alltime red sox. Competent and entertaining, wakefields book is one to savor, especially for the statobsessed baseball fan and the novice pitcher in search of a knuckleball to call his own. But tim wakefields fastball was a big part of his charm.
But despite every trick in the book, wakefield says the most important. Known for his signature knuckleball, wakefield won his 200th career game on september, 2011, against the toronto blue jays, and is third on the boston red. An 8time roberto clemente award nominee, wakefield won the award given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement. Publishers weekly provides valuable insights on perseverance, professionalism, and the ability to forget the last pitch. Tim wakefield, once a floundering first baseman who batted.
My life with baseballs most confounding pitch wakefield, tim. Wakefield, an eighthround draft pick in the 1988 amateur draft, began his minor league career as a. At 15% fastballs85% knuckleballs, the value of the fastball is 2. Wakefield, who began pitching for the red sox in 1995, is an eighttime nominee for the roberto clemente award which he won in 2010 and was ranked third in alltime red sox wins in 2010 with 179 total. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch by tim wakefield 2011, hardcover at the. Why is tim wakefields 72 mph fastball a good pitch. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch by tim wakefield 2012, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Think of pushing it toward home plate with your usual. Jul 12, 2009 tim wakefield, once a floundering first baseman who batted. The knuckleballalso known as the knuckler, the fingernail ball, the fingertip ball, the flutterball, the floater, the dancer, the bug, the butterfly ball, the moth, the bubble, the ghostball. The pitch entails lobbing the baseball in such a way that it doesnt rotate, and therefore moves in a manner thats impossible to predict. Right handedpitcher tim wakefield played with the boston red sox from 1995 to 2011. I did learn some interesting things, such as the fact that most successful knuckleballers learned the pitch as a youngster, rather than trying to learn it cold when theyre in their 30s with a dying career. With the red sox, wakefield began to master his pitch only to find himself on the mound in 2003 for one of the worst postseason losses in history, followed the next year by one of the most vindicating of championships.
Knuckleball nation tim wakefield closeup slowmo release. Dickey and retired red sox icon tim wakefield through the 2011 season as they persist in throwing knuckleballs, despite the fact that even some of their team members think the style is a joke. Tim wakefield wins battle for the aged the seattle times. Best known for his signature knuckleball pitch, former mlb allstar tim wakefield was instrumental in helping the boston red sox win two world series titles. On february 17, 2012, wakefield announced his retirement from baseball after 19 seasons, leaving r. Tim wakefield and the glory of the knuckleball the new yorker. Wakefield began his pitching career with the pittsburgh pirates, but is most remembered for his 17year tenure with the boston red sox, from 1995 till his retirement in 2012 as the longestserving player on the team. Oct 29, 2014 wee argues that candiotti has suffered a bad rap in the penumbrae of tim wakefield and r. Unfortunately, tim wakefield just kind of ran out of time.
Dickey as the only knuckleball pitcher in baseball. The article analyzes the movement of tim wakefields pitches. Also featured are the stories of the best knuckleball catchers, from bob uecker and doug mirabelli to rick ferrell and paul richards. Red sox righthanded knuckleball pitcher tim wakefield will be in boston and nearby brookline signing copies of knuckler. The most important part of the pitch is not to snap your wrist when you throw. Perhaps it was natural i would get this book after reading tim wakefields book on his life with the knuckleball pitch.
There are other prominent knuckleball pitchers like hall of famer phil niekro, who had a very effective knuckler and knuckle curve, and cy young award winning pitcher r. He was a phenom with the pittsburgh pirates as a rookie in 1992, leading the team to the postseason and. A history of baseball in ten pitches published just this april includes a chapter on the knuckleball, the knuckleball. Tim wakefield started out as a first baseman in the pittsburgh pirates organization but developed the knuckleball pitch after being told he would likely never make the major leagues as a position player. Jul 06, 2011 with tim wakefield starting tonight just three wins shy of 200 for his career, now is as good a time as any to look back on everything the knuckleball pitcher has accomplished and the long and. At fortyfour years old, tim wakefield is the longestserving member of on. Including interviews with hall of famer phil niekro, former allstars wilbur wood and tim wakefield, as well as other famed knuckleballers, lew freedman clouds over the goalpost, a summer to remember, breaks down the history of this infamous pitch, which it seems can be traced back to chicago white sox pitcher ed cicotte, as well as its. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. Pitcher tim wakefield explains the mechanics of pitching, how to read a batter, and how to throw a 4seam fastball, a 126 curveball, and a knuckleball. A quick memoir of tim wakefields baseball career as the current generations knuckleball pitcher. Gameday meets the knuckleball, an article by dan fox published in baseball prospectus in june 2007.
Dec 03, 2019 in phil niekro, sabermetrics, tim wakefield. Wakefield is a knuckleball pitcher and has been ever. Dickey the only knuckleballers playing in major league baseball through the 2011 season, and the small fraternity of men who have thrown the pitch over the years, we appreciate how. Almost every day, cliburn began fielding practice by reminding his first baseman to throw the ball straight. Tim wakefield, boston book signing event knuckler 1 red sox righthanded knuckleball pitcher tim wakefield will be in boston and nearby brookline signing copies of knuckler. Perhaps it was natural i would get this book after reading tim wakefield s book on his life with the knuckleball pitch. Tim wakefield society for american baseball research. Knuckleball book by lew freedman official publisher. Tim wakefield, boston book signing event knuckler book.
With 430 starts and 3,006 innings pitched, tim is now the franchise leader in stats. He has been married to stacy stover since november 9, 2002. Lew freedman is the author of nearly sixty books on sports, including clouds over the goalpost, the original six, and a summer to remember, and is the winner of more than 250 journalism awards. Boston tim wakefield has been twirling his knuckler past hitters for 16 years. And from reading that book i was introduced to a couple of the themes in freedmans book, such as the fraternity that exists among past and current knuckleball pitchers, and how phil niekro especially helped pitchers at times. The fingertip grip is more commonly used today by knuckleball pitchers, like retired boston red sox pitcher tim wakefield, who had a knuckleball with a lot of movement. Randy johnson has been firing his fastball by them for 21. Wakefield began his career with pittsburgh in 1992, but spent the majority of his mlb career 17 seasons with the red sox 19952011. Stephen king to read knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to tim wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons.
The cover of ra dickeys bestselling knuckeball book wherever i wind up i get a lot of questions regarding how to throw a knuckleball. A veteran sportswriter, freedman was formerly a staff writer for the chicago tribune and philadelphia inquirer, as well as other papers, and lives in columbus, indiana. The evolution of tim wakefield, knuckleball pitcher the new york. Wakefield began his career with pittsburgh in 1992, but spent the majority of his mlb career 17 seasons with the red sox. How to throw a knuckleball like tim wakefield fatherly. It is the first article of which i am aware to use pitchfx data to study the knuckleball and the first to examine, both qualitatively and quantitaviely, the movement of the pitch. Mar 03, 2015 the knuckleball is a fascinating pitch, worthy of a book s worth of discussion. In 1995, red sox knuckleballer tim wakefield went 141 with 1. The increase in value to your knuckleball offsets the damage done by exposing your horrible fastball. Tim wakefield was a knuckleball pitcher, just one step below r. A terrific book about one of baseballs most underrated pitchers, not to.
Known to scare batters off of the plate with his nasty knuckleball, tim wakefield has earned the honor of infamy among all red sox alumni. The most iconic knuckleball pitcher of the 21st century retired in 2012 after 19 seasons and 200 wins, and tim wakefield will forever be a red sox fan favorite for good reasons. Tim wakefield chats with page 2 about his new book. Apr 02, 2010 the increase in value to your knuckleball offsets the damage done by exposing your horrible fastball. Aug 08, 2016 tim wakefield was a knuckleball pitcher, just one step below r.
As one of my favorite players of all time and one of only two who i own the jersey of i had to read this one once i found it at barnes and noble. For the next seventeen years, he provided the boston red sox with the right pitch at the right time. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch by tim. The knuckleballer won 186 games with the boston red sox just six short of the.
Heres to tim wakefield, whose every encounter ended with someone looking ridiculous. At 15% fastballs85% knuckleballs, the value of the fastball is. A life of knuckleballs mcfarland, 2014 comes out swinging, not to say slugging wee argues that candiotti has suffered a bad rap in the penumbrae of tim wakefield and r. Knuckleball tim wakefield was born on august 2, 1966 in melbourne, florida, usa as timothy stephen wakefield. The moment wakefield adopted the knuckleball, his career sought to answer that question. Knuckleball pitchers are traditionally believed to be able to pitch more frequently and for more pitches per game than conventional pitchers. The article analyzes the movement of tim wakefield s pitches. I have always loved the fact that tim wakefield tried to keep the art of the knuckleball alive, and proud of his work for my bucs, so i am in no way biased when i say how much i enjoyed this book. He threw a specialty pitch, the knuckleball wakefield, an eighthround draft pick in the 1988 amateur draft, began his minor league career as a corner infielder. Knuckler by tim wakefield, 9780547750347, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Tim wakefield, an exclusive blue sky client, is considered by many to be one of the greatest knuckleball pitchers to have ever played baseball. Written by tim wakefield, audiobook narrated by jeremy arthur. As a diehard red sox fan, this book was disappointing.
Wakefield also featured a 7175 mph fastball, a slow curve 5761 mph, and a slower version of his knuckleball 5962 mph. The evolution of tim wakefield, knuckleball pitcher the. Wakefield is a link to the black and white days of the majors, and this book gives us a glimpse of the man himself. My life with baseballs most confounding pitch tim wakefield, tony. The history of the unhittable pitch by lew freedman. Knuckler my life with baseballs most confounding pitch tim wakefield and tony massarotti table of contents title page table of contents. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Jan 01, 2011 first, this book is barely by tim wakefield its more of a journalistic history of the most successful knuckleball pitcher of the current generation. Wakefield was 45 years old going into the 2012 season, an age at which various butterfly specialists have remained productive. Dickey, the only two knuckleball pitchers in the majors during the 2011 season, as they attempt to stay in the big leagues while relying on this unorthodox weapon.
The evolution of tim wakefield, knuckleball pitcher the new. He played this position until a scout told him that he would never get above aa. Last night, the red sox knuckleballer tim wakefield recorded his two hundredth majorleague win in his nineteenth season in the league, and seventeenth. Tim wakefield archives international knuckleball academy.