The Red Sox won yesterday 5-0 with a remarkable performance by Josh Beckett and an uncharacteristic bunt by David Ortiz. The day started with a great tribute to Tim Wakefield, “Thanks Wake Day.” It was also Beckett’s 32nd birthday. Tim Wakefield was honored during a ceremony before the start of the game. Don Orsillo, of NESN fame, was the master of ceremonies. David Ortiz gave a speech about Wakefield, and former players Mike Timlin and Mike Stanley also were at the ceremony. Wakefield’s family and people who participate in his charity, “Wakefield’s Warriors,”
were also on hand during this.
Wakefield gave a speech after Ortiz, and courtesy of The Boston Globe, here are his words:
I have to thank the Red Sox organization for giving me the best 17 years of my life. I have to thank my teammates, the former ones that I played with. You guys have always had my back and I’ll have yours forever. Thank you for your support. Last but not least the fans, like I said in February, every time I took this mound I gave everything I had and every time I walked off you guys always gave me a standing ovation and I will cherish the memories that we shared together from ’04-’07 and all the 17 years in between. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys and thanks for being here today.
It was announced that Doug Mirabelli, who was Wakefield’s personal catcher for years, was trying to get the ceremony but was caught in transit. Then, a Boston police car appeared in Center Field, and Mirabelli emerged. This recreated one of the most memorable moments in recent Red Sox history. Doug Mirabelli was re-acquired by the Red Sox in 2006 to catch Wakefield, and Mirabelli received a police escort so he wouldn’t be late for the game.
I didn’t get to watch the whole game, but I was able to watch a good portion of it. Unfortunately, what I missed seeing was the Wakefield ceremony and Ortiz’s bunt. I’ve been searching on the internet for video of the bunt without any success. I watched “Quick Pitch” on the MLBNetwork, but they didn’t show the bunt either. One of my co-workers said that ESPN showed it, but I’m sure that was a one-time thing for the “World Wide Leader in Sports.” I also searched ESPN’s website without success.
Beckett was the main focus, internally, of the game. He was outstanding! His line for the game: 7IP 4H 0R 0ER 2BB 9SO 0HR. His ERA was lowered to 4.97. I’m not sure if this is the Beckett we’ll continue to see this season (I hope that’s the case), but when Beckett is on, he’s on. It could be his stubbornness or his ability, but he needs to keep pitching this way.
Offensively, Ortiz (bunt single and HR), Saltalamacchia (single and double), and Aviles (2 doubles) all had two hits. Sweeney, Ortiz, Middlebrooks, and Aviles (2) had RBIs. Nava has reached base in every game since being called up. Every player had either an RBI or a run besides Pedroia or Adrian Gonzalez, and we know those two can produce.
The Red Sox play the Rays today and tomorrow before heading to Philadelphia this weekend (to face Papelbon). Tonight’s match-up is Buchholz (who desperately needs another good performance) v. Hellickson (Iowa native). Hopefully, the Red Sox can continue playing as great as they have the past five games.
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