He was described as Dan Duquette's "reclamation" from the "scrap heap". Well, he pretty much carried the pitching load in '95 with both Clemens and Sele beset with shoulder issues. At times in '95, he was often mentioned as MVP material. He did everything 'Sox managers asked of him over the years: start; close; long-relief; middle relief. You name it, he did it.
Yes, he gave up that HR to Aaron Boone in 2003, but he should have not been put into that position had then-manager Grady Little used his bullpen sooner. BUT, in 2004 when the 'Sox were getting pummeled by the Yankees enroute to going down 3 games to 0, he gave up his scheduled Game 4 start to spell a depleted bullepen.
It was great that Wake was part of two World Series championships. Not bad for a guy who was considered washed up at 28 and thrown onto the "scrap heap". Enjoy your retirement, Wake -- you earned it!
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Can I just say how sad I was when Wake announced his retirement? I mean I wasn't Mike Lowell sad, but sad nonetheless. The old guard is disappearing...one by one.
ReplyDeleteHave you read the Wake book? Well it's really Mazz's book with Wake occassionally making an appearance. Anywho, after reading this book, I almost felt sorry for Wake. He's been a punching bag for most of his career. Starter. Reliever. Long-relief. Closer. Starter on short rest. Not starting. Wake's done everything and anything throughout his career.
Maybe feeling sorry for Wake is too strong an emotion. I mean the guy's made millions, right? But remember in 2007 when Wake wasn't 100% and he took himself out of the rotation for the WS? That wasn't Tito's doing; that was pure Wake. Total class act! I'm so glad he got at least one All Star appearance, despite the fact that he didn't get to pitch in the game. That too makes me feel bad for him.
If you listened to his press conference, you heard a mixed message. He said that he wanted to do what was best for the Sox and his family. I heard a guy who maybe wanted to pitch one more season but the so-called baseball experts in the Front Office did not want Wake around anymore. I know, baseball's a business and cannot be driven by emotions. There's too much money involved. I get it. But let's be honest. Other than Aceves and Fat Albers, we don't really know the bull pen. Melancon, Bailey and the gaggle of folks that they've strung together hardly constitute security. Who else do we have? It would have been a huge comfort to have Wake out there for another season. What was the harm in a one-year deal with bull pen status? I reserve total judgment until we actually have some games under our belt, but I just hope we all don't look up in July and find ourselves pondering for Wake when the bull pen or one of our starters has imploded.
At any rate, I will miss Wake terribly. At least I have his John Handy on his #49 jersey. Smart investment.