Like a Fine Wine

Making a spot start, Tim Wakefield stepped in and led the Sox to a 5-1 victory over Chicago Sunday night to pick up his 180th career victory with Boston, just 12 shy of the team's all-time record. 

The old man has still got it.

Defying the aging process with youth-like vigor, Tim Wakefield turned back the clock Sunday night and silenced the visiting Chicago Cubs with one of his best starts in recent memory.

Before a sell-out crowd of 37,688 at Fenway Park, the 44-year-old knuckleballer scattered just four hits over 6 and 2/3 stellar innings to lead the Sox to a 5-1 victory over the Cubbies. He also allowed just one earned run and struck out three to pick up his first win of the season.

In typical Wakefield-type fashion, the 15-year veteran tipped his cap and saluted the crowd as he exited the field to a thunderous standing ovation in the top of the seventh inning.

"He was terrific," admitted manager Terry Francona. "You go into a start where he's not tremendously stretched out, but the first five innings the pitch count was so low, he threw so many strikes. He was a huge lift, because the first three innings we didn't do much offensively. But because he was holding 'em down, it gave us a chance to get it going and score a few runs."

At the beginning of the season, many Red Sox fans felt the writing was on the wall for our beloved Wakefield. He had just come off an injury-riddled 2010 campaign in which he started just 19 games, compiling a less-than-stellar 4-10 record with a robust 5.34 ERA.

Many fans thought it was time for the old knuckleballer to hang it up.

Yeah, right.

The beauty of Wakefield is his undying dedication and commitment to the team. Ever since breaking in with the Sox in 1995, the knuckleballer has done anything and everything asked of him. He has been a starter, a long reliever and a set up man. He even saved 15 games as a closer in 1999.

And, all along the way, he has never once complained or lamented his evolving role for Boston. Instead, he's taken the mound when called upon and given the team everything he's got, for better or worse.

On Sunday night, Wakefield found himself starting as a result of John Lackey being placed on the disabled list with an elbow strain.

Just like he has done for the majority of his career, Wakefield didn't disappoint. After all, he already holds the distinguished record of being the oldest player ever to appear in a Sox uniform.

"He's been good for a long time and certainly don't want to overlook that, but the roles have changed a little bit now," admitted Francona. "But, boy, what a lift that gives us. Throw a guy in there when somebody gets hurt and he's so professional. I guess it shouldn't amaze us because he's been doing it a long time, but I think maybe the better word is 'appreciative.'"

With the victory, Wakefield picks up his 194th career win and 180th with the Sox. He now trails Cy Young and Roger Clemens by just 12 wins on the Sox all-time list. 

"Wake did an incredible job," added Adrian Gonzalez after the game. "His knuckleball was all over the place. The few guys who got on base kept talking about how much it was moving. That's what he does and that's why he's been here a long time."

The win also marked the Sox eighth victory in their last nine games. And, after starting out the season in a horrific slump, Boston is now 25-21 and just a half-game behind New York and Tampa for first place in the AL East. 

"On a personal side, ever win is precious," said Wake after the game. "But as long as the team wins... [that's] the most important thing."

Tim Wakefield, the ultimate professional.

Enjoy it while it lasts, Sox fans.

The clock's ticking, but after a performance like Sunday night's, our beloved Wake looks far from done.