It wasn’t vintage Wakefield, but the Padres’ knuckleballer channeled his mentor all the same

BOSTON — In ways far more than symbolic, the craft and hard work that went into the late Tim Wakefield’s vaunted but unpredictable knuckleball returned to Fenway Park on Sunday. It was delivered by a former student of Wakefield’s, 27-year-old San Diego Padres rookie Matt Waldron, and let’s take a moment to admit that the numbers were less than stellar. Waldron allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits in 4 1/3 innings, including a two-run homer by Rafael Devers. Final score: Red Sox 4, Padres 1.

“Not great, not good at all,” Waldron told reporters after the game. “From the first half to the fifth, not great, not the results I wanted.”

GO DEEPER

Tim Wakefield guides the Padres’ Matt Waldron, who brings the ball back to Fenway

Waldron wasn’t just disappointed. It was emotional – very emotional, as in tears-welling-in-her-eyes emotional. He wanted his first appearance at Fenway Park to serve as a tribute to Wakefield, who died of brain cancer last October. A few years earlier, over a few Zoom sessions, Wakefield became a mentor to the unknown minor league pitcher who wasn’t at the top of anyone’s roster. And what a thrill it was to learn from a master. Even though Waldron grew up in Nebraska, he grew up a Red Sox fan. And he had watched the exploits of Tim Wakefield, even if he was not yet preparing his own future as a big leaguer.

So imagine the many thoughts going through Waldron’s head Sunday when he faced the Red Sox, for whom Wakefield has 186 of his 200 career wins and played on two World Series-winning teams.

“It’s Fenway,” Waldron said. “I know Wakefield gave that rubber finger. You could feel it.”

The Pulse newsletter

Free daily sports updates straight to your inbox. REGISTER

Free daily sports updates straight to your inbox. REGISTER

Buy

But, Waldron said, “At the end of the day, I have to do my job.”

Of course. We all expect accountability from our professional athletes. Except Waldron would be wise not to hit himself so hard. Because while it’s true that he didn’t put on an epic performance that even nostalgic Red Sox fans could have admired, the truth is that Waldron said something after the game that Wakefield would be loved.

Asked if he noticed anything in particular about how he was received by Red Sox fans, Waldron said, “No, I think the outfield in general was admired and got the respect it deserved.”

Matt Waldron seems like a really genuine guy

Hard rooting for him

pic.twitter.com/OIqZdtojAV

— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) June 30, 2024

Even Waldron may not understand the perfectly wonderful Wakefield character of that line. You see, Wakefield was usually honest about taking the blame on those occasions when he felt it he confused, but the key word here is usually because sometimes it wasn’t his fault at all. Not from his point of view, anyway. See, sometimes it was the node’s fault. And when it is, Wakefield will assign blame accordingly.

In Wake’s view, all the game preparation from all the resorts in the world brought no guarantee that the knuckler would win the endorsement. So for Waldron to talk about his knuckleball as a separate entity — as in “he got the respect he deserves” — was as much a salute to Tim Wakefield as it was seven shutout innings .

Waldron has been a solid contributor to the Padres’ pitching staff this season. Even with Sunday’s loss, his ERA in 17 starts is 3.56. In 93 2/3 innings, he allowed 83 hits with 87 strikeouts against 28 walks. He doesn’t throw his knuckle as often as Wakefield and tends to throw it a little harder. But as Waldron pointed out, “This is the first time I’ve been affected by it, so I’m adjusting to it a little bit.

“(The Red Sox) did a good job of attacking it, and their approach was very good. So I have to praise that.”

For Wake ❤️ #RedSox pic.twitter.com/F2unW2Dm1x

— NESN (@NESN) June 30, 2024

Waldron’s postgame session with the media lasted all of two minutes. It’s not that he suddenly stopped answering questions or that he was taken in by an overprotective club official. He was just too agitated, so there was nothing else for anyone to ask. The session did not end, but dissipated. This game was really a big deal for the kid and he wanted to impress. The fact that he didn’t treat the crowd to a vintage Wakefield look seems to be eating at him.

But then he said those words.

“I think the pitch in general has been admired and given the respect it deserves.”

There it is. Vintage Wakefield. Even if it was inside the visitors’ clubhouse, under the third-base bleachers.

Silly Knuckleballs by Matt Waldron. 🦋 pic.twitter.com/IRr1GsMdEd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 30, 2024

“I’ll be back,” Waldron said. “I’ve done it before, but it’s been a while since I’ve felt this angry.”

He Vol to jump back But before he knows it, he’ll be feeling “so angry” again.

That’s the joint. That’s what Tim Wakefield would say. And Matt Waldron, channeling his inner Wake, said it on Sunday.

(Photo by Matt Waldron: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)