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After the game, his 200th career win safely in the record books, Tim Wakefield acknowledged there were times when he thought this one might not actually happen.
“It did cross my mind after six or seven starts,” said Wakefield, who made seven unsuccessful attempts at No. 200 since his last win on July 24. “But I kept telling myself the milestone doesn’t determine me as a person. I’ve always said I’ve been grateful to wear this uniform as long as I have, and been very fortunate to live out a dream I had as a kid. I’m just grateful it happened tonight and very grateful it happened in front of our home crowd. The standing ovation I got when I walked off the mound in the fifth and sixth, and to be able to go back out after the game was over and share it with the people that were here, was very special.”
“I was just happy to have a job after that year in ’94,” he said. “I went to spring training and I was 5-15 in Triple A. I went into spring training with the Pirates that year and getting released after one start. I was very grateful that [former Sox general manager] Dan Duquette called me and wanted to sign me.”
It was difficult for him to describe his emotions after the win, an 18-6 shellacking of the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.
“They’re just setting in right now,” he said. “I’m grateful that, one, it’s over with; two, that it was able to happen here in Fenway Park in front if our home crowd and going outside and seeing the signs and all the people and my teammates came out in support. It says a lot about everything that’s gone on in my career and tonight. I’m kind of speechless when it comes to that.”
CSNNE - Wakefield grateful to win 200th at Fenway
Man, what a long journey it's been for Wakefield. The country has seen 3 presidents, we've put a man on the moon and a someone in Detroit named Ford invented a steam-powered horse (my public education may have failed me on that last one). And all that's happened between wins 199 and 200 (hey-yo!)!
Like Wake, I was beginning to wonder if he was going to run out of time before he could notch that 200th win. I'm glad it all worked out. While I'm super-happy for Wakefield, I'm ecstatic that the offense decided to come to life to get him the 'W'.
I imagine in the clubhouse before the game, Pedroia walked up to Wake and said, "Don't worry old man, I got this." And then proceeded to have his 4-5 night with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. Ellsbury chipped in with a 4-5 night of his own, with a game-typing solo shot in the 4th and 3 RBI's. Even Salty had his pitcher's back, with 4 RBI's.
It was one of those nights where it all came together, and it did so that Tim Wakefield could get his 200th win. After all the BS surrounding his previous 7 starts, he not only deserved this, but the Sox owed it to him. Couldn't have happened to a better guy.
Congrats, once again, Mr. Wakefiled.
On Page 2, Jenks is officially done.