Tim Wakefield, a legendary Red Sox player, died at the age of 57. The late professional baseball pitcher who perfected the knuckleball was taught to throw by his father in the backyard of their Melbourne, Florida, home as a young lad.

Tim became a powerful pitcher after being chosen as a first baseman by the Pittsburgh Pirates and smashing record-breaking home runs in college. Tim won 200 big league games throughout his remarkable professional baseball career, 186 of which he won while playing for the Boston Red Sox.

Tim soon became a fan favorite among the general public after playing a key role in his team’s first World Series title in 86 years. The team’s winning streak since 1918 ended in 2004 when Tim struck out nine batters in extra innings, allowing the Red Sox to overcome a 3-0 series deficit and defeat the St. Louis Cardinals.

There were many successes and victories throughout the late and cherished knuckleballer’s career. As a result, when word of Tim’s death spread across the major baseball league sector, Tim’s colleagues, friends, many fellow professional players, teammates, and the league organization (MLB) itself expressed their heartfelt sympathies.

Those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Tim also paid their respects to the late great. The Red Sox stated in a post:

“Our hearts are broken by Tim Wakefield’s death.” Wake personified real goodness; he was a loving husband, father, and comrade. He gave so much to the game and to the whole Red Sox fan base.”

Tim was diagnosed with brain cancer, according to media reports. Though his team had declared that he had an ailment prior to his death, they did not provide any additional specifics or expound on the topic.

Before the late baseball hero, who was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame after retiring in 2011, passed away, one of his former colleagues and former All-Star, Curt Schilling, revealed Tim’s diagnosis. He did so against the desires of the Wakefield family.

Curt revealed Tim’s medical status during a podcast interview. He revealed the following when discussing the late star’s health:

“I’m not even sure he wants it shared… I’ve seen prayer work; therefore, I’m going to discuss it. It’s a very dangerous, aggressive kind of brain cancer.”

Curt revealed information on Tim’s health as well as Tim’s wife, Stacy Wakefield, and her illness. He said that Stacy is battling pancreatic cancer.

Naturally, Tim, his wife, and others who heard the exposition were dissatisfied with Curt’s conduct after learning that their personal matters had been published without their permission. As a consequence of the podcast interview, Tim and Stacy issued the following statement via the Red Sox:

“Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that have always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”

Tim died only days after their statement demanding privacy was made public. Brianna Wakefield, his daughter, paid homage to her father on her Instagram Story after his death.

In addition to his devoted wife Stacy, Tim also leaves behind his two children, Brianna and Trevor. Many people have sent their sympathies to the sad Wakefield family.