BOSTON — When the Pink Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to seize the World Sequence title in 2004 to finish their 86-year title drought, Johnny Damon was one of many first to seize the trophy. He instantly discovered Tim Wakefield, who’d bounced again after giving up a season-ending dwelling run to the Yankees within the 2003 playoffs.
As Boston celebrated the twentieth anniversary of that title staff, Damon once more put the trophy within the palms of a Wakefield, solely this time the knuckleballer’s daughter.
“I simply thought it was becoming for her to stroll off the sector with the World Sequence trophy,” Damon mentioned following Tuesday’s ceremony forward of the house opener towards Baltimore. “Such a fantastic day. These children are going by lots they usually know that they’ve lots of household, the staff that we had in 2004. They’ll at all times rely on us. And particularly if Brianna ever will get a boyfriend, she’s bought to verify with all of her uncles.”
Wakefield died of mind most cancers in October at age 57. His spouse, Stacy, died lower than 5 months later after her personal most cancers battle. Boston is carrying heart-shaped No. 49 patches in honor of the knuckleball pitcher this season.
A tribute video was performed for each, recognized for his or her philanthropic work within the Boston space, together with highlights of the 2004 run.
It was a part of a emotional day at Fenway Park. Ceremonies included former supervisor Terry Francona, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Damon among the many greater than 40 members current from the 2004 staff.
Essentially the most noticeable absence was Wakefield.
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Tim and Stacy’s kids, Brianna and Trevor, led the members of the ’04 staff onto the sector for the ceremony whereas carrying the World Sequence trophy. Brianna then threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former catcher and present Pink Sox assistant coach Jason Varitek, flanked by her father’s former teammates.
The staff beforehand gathered for the tenth anniversary of the championship and Damon, sporting the lengthy hair he was recognized for throughout his time in Boston, mentioned, “for essentially the most half our staff is getting old fairly nicely.”
“We nonetheless like one another. We’re simply lacking a number of guys that we actually want had been right here,” Damon mentioned.
Damon mentioned the emotion that crammed Fenway Tuesday underscored how a lot Wakefield and the 2004 staff imply to the town.
“We’re household on the market,” he mentioned. “[Tim’s] children are going to rely on us shifting ahead and we’re all going to be there for them.”
The Pink Sox misplaced the house opener 7-1 to the Baltimore Orioles.
