Video: Uehara Tries to Speed Up Victorino’s Trip to the DL

Rain Delay Doesn’t Stop Sox in 8-1 Win Over Cleveland

Francona Wins Big in Return to Fenway

Connelly’s Top Ten: Rask Falls on Face

Tim Wakefield Announces Retirement After 19 Seasons

Longtime Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield’s playing days are now over.

The 45-year-old knuckleballer retires with exactly 200 major league wins, 186 of those coming with the Red Sox (he’s six wins shy of tying Cy Young and Roger Clemens for the most wins with the Red Sox in franchise history).

He played 17 seasons in Boston, finishing 186-168 with a 4.43 ERA.

After surrendering a devastating home run to Aaron Boone to end the 2003 ALCS, Wakefield bounced back with a strong 2004 season and wound up winning two World Series titles (2004, 2007).

He made his first All-Star team in 2009 at age 42, the oldest first-time All-Star in major league history.

For me, this officially the end of my childhood (yes, I’m 26, but Wakefield has been pitching for the Red Sox since I was 9 years old, so it’s hard to let go).

Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red Sox came calling for Wakefield later this year when they inevitably run out of starting pitchers in July or August.

What’s your lasting memory of Tim Wakefield? Comment below!

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Red Sox, Tim Wakefield