For Ramirez, this could become a chance to help repair his reputation and serve as a positive clubhouse influence on a young team — that’s sure what the Oakland brass hope, anyway.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tim Wakefield has never been afraid to face a hitter with his knuckleball, kind of like he’s never been afraid to face the truth.
After all, he pitched in parts of three decades, won 200 games along the way, was a part of two World Series titles, and, above all else, he realizes just how precious baseball careers can be.
So, with all that — as well as a ton of memories garnered over 19 years in the majors, the last 17 with the Boston Red Sox — an emotional Wakefield, 45, announced his retirement Friday.
“Now,” he said, “I’ll have a lot of time to really reflect on all of the accomplishments I have been able to do.”
That he played for so long seemed unlikely early in his career. Drafted as a first baseman by the Pirates in 1988, Wakefield was converted to a knuckleballer after just two seasons. But in April 1995, after going 5-15 with a 5.84 in Triple A, Pittsburgh released him.
The Red Sox pounced, signing him just six days later. And somehow, he raced out to an improbable 14-1 start with Boston, finishing 1995 at 16-8 with a 2.95 ERA.
Now, all these years later, he has to admit: His long career surprised even him.
“A little bit,” Wakefield said. “There were some years there where I didn’t know if I was going to come back or not. But I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to put this uniform on for such a long time, and win two World Series for this great city.
“Now, I can finally say it’s over.”
It wasn’t an easy decision, though. Especially after he was offered a minor league contract with a chance to come into Red Sox spring training and compete for a job.
“I’ve been wrestling with this decision a long time, this whole offseason,” he said. “I think the final deciding point was when (my wife) Stacy and I sat my two kids down and asked them what they wanted me to do. Like I said before, I never wanted to regret missing any part of their life, and I just think the time is now.”
The decision helps the team avoid the potentially awkward situation of having a veteran player, and fan favorite, compete for and perhaps lose a roster spot.
“It’s a unique situation, where you sort of put the ball in his court whether to come into that type of situation. And frankly, we just wouldn’t do it in most cases,” Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. “For a guy like Wake, who has accomplished as much as he has, I think that could have been a challenge to be in camp without a little more definition as to the role.
“And Tim and I had conversations about that. I don’t know if that factored in at all. That’s something you’d have to ask Tim, but I could see that being a challenge potentially.”
Wakefield is the third-winningest pitcher in Red Sox history, at 186-168. Cy Young and Roger Clemens both have 192 wins.
AP SOURCE: YANKS TRADE BURNETT TO PIRATES
NEW YORK — The Yankees agreed Friday to trade much maligned pitcher A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers, a deal that clears the way New York to add Raul Ibanez.
Pittsburgh will pay $13 million of the $33 million salary due Burnett for 2012 and 2013, a person familiar with the negotiations said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made.
New York will receive 25-year-old right-hander Diego Moreno and 20-year-old outfielder Exicardo Cayones, both low-level prospects.
The agreement is subject to Burnett passing a physical, which is likely to take place Sunday. Commissioner Bud Selig also must approve it because of the money involved.
A’S PURSUING SLUGGER MANNY RAMIREZ
PHOENIX — The Oakland Athletics still have strong interest in signing slugger Manny Ramirez, who presents a low-risk investment for the rebuilding franchise.
If things come together, the 39-year-old would sign a deal for slightly more than the league minimum of $480,000.
He first must serve a 50-game suspension without pay for violating baseball’s drug policy for the second time. With no rainouts, the first game Ramirez would be eligible to play is June 2 at Kansas City.
The sides could reach agreement as soon as the next few days or sometime next week, and Ramirez then likely would travel from Florida to Arizona to undergo a physical before joining Oakland’s spring training camp for full-squad workouts starting Feb. 25. Pitchers and catchers report to camp Saturday.
Oakland recently sent representatives to Florida to observe workouts by Ramirez, who retired from the Tampa Bay Rays last season rather than serve a 100-game suspension.
For Ramirez, this could become a chance to help repair his reputation and serve as a positive clubhouse influence on a young team — that’s sure what the Oakland brass hope, anyway.