Touching Wakefield tribute, epic first pitch, Sunday trends

San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Waldron grew up in awe of Tim Wakefield’s ball. He became MLB’s only active knuckleball player in 2024.

Waldron started for the Padres in their last game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He opened his outing with a ball to honor Wakefield, an idol and mentor to the young pitcher.

The Red Sox got the best of Waldron in his first start in Boston for three runs on six hits in 4.1 frames. The 27-year-old righty is throwing his knuckleball just over 39 percent of the time and has posted a 3.56 ERA through 93.2 innings this season.

Waldron and Wakefield worked together to fine-tune the former’s joint via Zoom calls organized by the Padres organization. Waldron gave an emotional presser after the game in honor of the Red Sox legend and his idol.

WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan threw the first pitch before Waldron’s emotional start on Sunday afternoon. She wore her championship belt during her appearance on NESN’s pregame broadcast and took it to the mound before her ceremonial toss.

The Red Sox introduced Morgan ahead of WWE Monday Night Raw at the TD Garden on July 1, where Morgan would fight to retain his championship.

The Red Sox fell short of a win against the Padres with a 4-1 win on June 30. San Diego took the first two games of the series, which included a rare loss for Boston in City Connect uniforms.

But the Red Sox continued a 2024-only trend of unprecedented success on Sunday. Boston is 13-1 in Sunday games this season, with its only loss to start the week coming in a 10-inning game against the Tigers on June 2.

Padres pitching stymied the Sox bats in the first two games of their series, but homers from All-Star prospect Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran helped them get back into the win column on their clear favorite day of the week.