Former Pittsburgh Pirates Player Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tim Wakefield succumbed to brain cancer on Sunday. His death was announced by the Boston Red Sox, for whom he played 17 of his 19 Major League Baseball seasons.

Wakefield was 57.

"Wake embodies true goodness; a devoted husband, father and teammate, beloved broadcaster and the ultimate community leader," the Red Sox said in a statement issued Sunday. "He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation."

Wakefield's illness became public last week when a former Red Sox teammate, Curt Schilling, revealed the news during his podcast.

Wakefield, 57, a rare knuckleball pitcher, began his major league career with the Pirates in 1992-93. He compiled an overall record of 14-12 with a 4.17 earned run average during those two seasons.

Wakefield was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the 1992 National League Championship Series between the Pirates and the Atlanta Braves. He pitched a complete game in the Bucs' 3-2 victory. In 1993, his accomplishments included hitting a home run in a July game against the Houston Astros.