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Wakefield was last line of defense

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff July 15, 2009 11:17 AM

Red Sox fans might be frustrated that Tim Wakefield did not appear in his first All-Star Game last night, but the pitcher was well aware of his role even before the American League defeated the National League, 4-3.

He was the emergency reliever.

Reached by text message this morning, Wakefield indicated that he was ``the extra-inning guy for multiple innings'' should the AL and NL have played an extended affair to determine home-field advantage for the World Series. Such a happening took place last year, when the AL defeated the NL by a 4-3 score in 15 innings, a game in which then-AL manager Terry Francona was nearly forced to employ outfielder J.D. Drew as a pitcher.

In 2002, of course, the All-Star Game ended in a tie because of a shortage of pitchers. That game went 11 innings and prompted considerable criticism of commissioner Bud Selig, who subsequently awarded home-field advantage in the World Series to the winner of the All-Star beginning in 2003.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona, for one, frequently avoids using at least one his relievers in close games (particularly during the postseason) to guard against running out of pitchers. Earlier this season, for instance, Francona held out Justin Masterson in games against the Yankees partly because he might need Masterson to pitch multiple innings if the game extended well beyond the ninth. In the 2007 playoffs, Francona employed a similar strategy with Jon Lester during the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians.

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6 comments so far...

Do you people ever proofread your articles before posting? C'mon, it takes 2 minutes to proofread.

Posted by Joe Scmuck July 15, 09 11:55 AM

Honestly, that is shame..Joe Madden to me should not be allowed back in Boston. Wakefield finally makes and all-star game, his family, friends and even some from RedSox nation made the trip to the place where the Curse ended and ne does not even see the field. What a cop out, "He is the last line of Defense"..Wake to me should have started the game...I can see Beckett not playing, he just pitched two days ago, but Wake??? The guy deserved to see the field..I think Madden has it in for the Sox...REDSOX nation needs to stick it to him every time those COWBELL RINGING IDIOTS come to Fenway..Go SOX and long live the Knuckle ball...

Posted by Jeff B July 15, 09 12:12 PM

It is still a crock, the whole thing is BS. The all star game is a waste of time.

Posted by dave July 15, 09 12:34 PM

I understand maybe the American League Manager for the All Star Game plans,but to NOT put Wake in I think is a shame still!!!!!!!! He will probably never appear there again!! Yes its an HONOR, but to play must be great!!! I think the manager being from TB and not liking the Soxs probably was more of a decision for him.

I think it is a shame that he didn't pitch!!!!!!

Posted by Carol Weston July 15, 09 12:51 PM

Ok, I get it now. You still haven't really explained why Beckett was to be used only in emergency. Given the history between the Sox and Rays, I would think this is a story if no rationale was given why Beckett--arguably the best AL starter in the first half--was held out of the game.

Posted by Peter July 15, 09 01:35 PM

Something tells me Wakie will live thru it ! Ya Think?

Posted by Steve July 15, 09 02:08 PM