Tragic Loss: Stacy Wakefield, Widow of MLB Legend Tim Wakefield, Succumbs to Cancer Less Than Five Months After Husband’s Death; Leaves Behind Two Children
In a devastating turn of events, Stacy Wakefield, the beloved wife of late Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Tim Wakefield, passed away on February 28 at the age of 53, just under five months after Tim’s demise. The Red Sox, the team with which Tim had iconic success, confirmed her death in a heartfelt statement.
“It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved mother, daughter, sister, niece, and aunt, Stacy, passed away today at her home in Massachusetts,” read a family statement shared by the Red Sox on social media. “The loss is unimaginable, especially in the wake of losing Tim just under five months ago. Our hearts are beyond broken.”
Tim Wakefield, a legendary knuckleballer, won two World Series titles during his illustrious 19-year career with the Red Sox and Pirates. He tragically lost his battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2023. The Wakefield family had been facing health challenges, with both Tim and Stacy diagnosed with different forms of cancer, as revealed by former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling last September.
Stacy, who was battling pancreatic cancer, passed away at her home surrounded by family, friends, caretakers, and nurses. The Wakefield family expressed their gratitude towards Stacy’s medical team in their statement, acknowledging their unmatched care and support.
“We will remember Stacy as a strong, loving, thoughtful and kind person, who was as down-to-earth as they come. We feel so lucky to have had her in our lives, and we take comfort in the fact that she will be reunited with Tim, the love of her life,” the family continued.
Both Tim and Stacy were not just renowned for their contributions to the baseball world but also for their extensive charity work. They were actively involved with organizations like the Red Sox Foundation, the Jimmy Fund benefiting Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Wakefield’s Warriors, which facilitated interactions between children treated at the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston and Red Sox players.
The couple, married in 2002, leaves behind two children, Trevor and Brianna, born in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The family requested privacy during this challenging time as they try to cope with the profound loss of both parents within such a short span.
Tim Wakefield’s impact extended beyond the baseball field. Known for his knuckleball pitch, he retired in 2012 after achieving a 200-192 record and a 4.41 ERA over more than 3,000 major league innings. The Red Sox honored him by inducting him into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
As the Wakefield family grapples with this immense tragedy, the baseball community mourns the loss of not just a legendary player but a compassionate couple whose philanthropic efforts enriched the lives of many. The legacy of Tim and Stacy Wakefield will endure through their children and the memories created during their impactful lives.