Getty Image / Adam Glanzman
Tim Wakefield’s widow, Stacy Wakefield, found a message her late husband had written down before his sudden passing earlier this month. Stacy Wakefield shared Tim’s message with the world, a message about mentorship, success, and responsibility.
The sports world was stunned by the sudden passing of former Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Only several days passed between when Wakefield’s former teammate, Curt Schilling, revealed Tim Wakefield’s brain cancer diagnosis against his wishes and when Wakefield passed away.
NHL legend and former Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr shared Tim Wakefield’s message that his widow Stacy found written down. Orr posted it on X/formerly known as Twitter but here it is in full if you’d prefer that over X:
Tim Wakefield:
“Never forget where you came from.
Be a mentor to others.
You didn’t get to where you are today by yourself and no matter what status you accomplish in life, you should assume the responsibility to help those who are less fortunate than you.
I’ve been involved with different charities my whole career and I can tell you that I’ve received much more than I’ve given.
I’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter how much money you’ve made, how big your house is or what kind of car you drive. What matters most is: did you make a difference in someone else’s life?”
Wakefield passed away at just 57 years old and without most of the world even knowing he was battling cancer. It was a gut check moment of mortality for many baseball fans who remembered Wakefield’s knuckleball mastery for the Red Sox and the crucial role he played in breaking Boston’s ‘curse’ and bringing a World Series back to the city.
He was a legend on the mound. But it’s evident that he changed many lives away from the ballpark. Tim Wakefield’s message above is something we could all benefit from taking to heart.