Wakefield to be honored at Fenway home opener − and all season long

David R. Smith, The Patriot Ledger
·1 min read
The Boston Red Sox will wear this memorial patch in honor of the late Tim Wakefield, a longtime Hingham resident, on their jerseys for the 2024 season.
The Boston Red Sox will wear this memorial patch in honor of the late Tim Wakefield, a longtime Hingham resident, on their jerseys for the 2024 season.
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BOSTON − Opening Day at Fenway Park will include a special tribute honoring knuckleball pitcher and Red Sox Hall of Famer Tim Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, each of whom died within the past five months.

Tim Wakefield, a longtime Hingham resident who was born and raised in Florida, according to his obituary, died from brain cancer this past October at 57. Stacy Wakefield died from pancreatic cancer the end of last month at 53. They have two children, a son and a daughter, who were born in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

The late Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, left, was part of the 2004 championship team.
The late Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, left, was part of the 2004 championship team.

Wakefield’s jersey number, 49, will be worn by players on their jersey sleeve throughout the season. The commemorative navy blue patch is shaped like a heart, a nod to Wakefield’s role as honorary chairman of the Red Sox Foundation, with the number 49 featured in red at the center.

The commemorative patch will be for sale at the Red Sox Team Store on Jersey Street later this season, with proceeds benefitting the Red Sox Foundation.

All fans attending the Boston Red Sox home opener on Tuesday, April 9, will receive this commemorative pin honoring Tim Wakefield, who died of brain cancer in October 2023.
All fans attending the Boston Red Sox home opener on Tuesday, April 9, will receive this commemorative pin honoring Tim Wakefield, who died of brain cancer in October 2023.

All fans attending the home opener will receive a special Wakefield memento in the form of a navy blue, heart-shaped pin featuring his jersey number in red.

The Boston Red Sox will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2004 championship team during pregame ceremonies before Fenway Park’s home opener at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, against the Baltimore Orioles.

Tickets to Fenway Park’s home opener are available at Redsox.com/homeopener.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Sox to wear hearts on sleeves − literally − all season for Wakefield