Tim Wakefield’s Heroic Effort in Game 3: A Reliever's Stalwart Stand in the Face of Defeat
October 16th, 2004 – A date forever etched in the minds of Red Sox fans for what would eventually become a legendary postseason. But amid the noise of the eventual World Series triumph, one pivotal, often understated moment took place in Game 3 of the ALCS – an unsung act of endurance by knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who saved the bullpen, and ultimately, the Red Sox's hopes for a dramatic comeback.
The Boston Red Sox were down, severely. The New York Yankees had made it clear early that Game 3 of the ALCS would not be easy. With a scoreline that ballooned into an insurmountable deficit, Boston’s chances seemed to dwindle with each passing inning. In such moments, it’s typical for managers to turn to their bullpen to avoid further damage, but in a moment of desperation, Red Sox skipper Terry Francona made a choice that would become a defining moment of the series.
Tim Wakefield, a veteran with a history of reliable postseason appearances, was summoned to the mound to absorb the damage in the midst of a blowout.
His mission: take one for the team.
With a score that climbed into the double digits, Wakefield entered the game in the middle innings with the score heavily tilted in favor of the Yankees. Few players could have remained mentally sharp in such a chaotic situation, but Wakefield’s ability to maintain composure — a hallmark of his career — shone through.
For three full innings, the knuckleballer stood as the last line of defense, an unsung hero, a human sponge soaking up batter after batter. Facing 17 Yankees hitters, Wakefield worked tirelessly, throwing 40-plus pitches over the course of his outing, at times getting the ball to dance unpredictably, giving the Yankees fits in the process. More importantly, he kept his team in the game, giving Francona time to rest his bullpen and hold the hope of a late-game miracle alive.
By the time Wakefield walked off the mound, with the score still hanging in the balance, it was clear that his performance was no mere footnote in the disaster of Game 3. It was a display of resolve, of pitching craftiness when the odds were firmly stacked against him, of a veteran preserving both the physical and mental energy of a pitching staff that would soon need to show up when the game’s real stakes arrived.
The Red Sox’s eventual comeback — which culminated in one of the most famous moments in baseball history with the team's 2004 ALCS win — would not have been possible without that performance. The pitchers who followed Wakefield in that game, having been spared unnecessary work, were able to contribute to the rally that would keep Boston’s championship hopes alive.
Tim Wakefield’s efforts were not noticed by the national headlines at the time, overshadowed by the eventual redemption and rise of the Red Sox. However, his selflessness and poise amidst the chaos were symbolic of the resolve that would come to define that year’s unforgettable postseason.
In the end, it wasn’t just the timely home runs and clutch hits that turned the series. It was the ability of players like Wakefield to make the sacrifices necessary, even when facing what seemed like insurmountable odds. That Game 3, often overlooked in the grand story of the 2004 Red Sox, remains a crucial, if quiet, moment of heroism in the team's path to breaking the Curse of the Bambino.
Analysts are starting to see what Raiders fans already knew about Geno Smith
The Las Vegas Raiders have not had a great start to the 2025 NFL season, as they sit at 2-4 after beating the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. It marked their first victory since the season opener, snapping a losing skid that lasted for over a month.
Many of their issues have had to do with an underwhelming offense and the struggles of Geno Smith. He has cost the Raiders two games alone with three-interception performances. Turnovers have been a major problem for the veteran quarterback, as he leads the league with ten interceptions.
While Las Vegas' coaching staff's faith in Smith has not wavered, it is clear that the franchise should be in the market for its quarterback of the future this offseason. An NFL analyst recently made a claim about his future that will not surprise Raiders fans in the slightest.
NFL analyst makes a prediction on Geno Smith's future that is not surprising to Raiders fans
The Raiders' offseason trade to land Smith was largely met with positive reviews. The move has not paid off, however, as he has been among the worst quarterbacks in the league through six games. Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon labeled him as one of the players with the most to prove over the remainder of the season.
"The 35-year-old has his work cut out for him trying to prove he isn't just a bridge quarterback for a team that may target a signal-caller in the first round of next year's draft, but he's done an abysmal job for one of the league's lowest-scoring teams," Gagnon wrote.
Gagnon does not believe Smith will be able to turn things around and predicted that he is in his final year as an NFL starter.
"Injuries have been a factor, but that alone doesn't get Smith off the hook," Gagnon wrote. "He's only been an average starter the last two-and-a-half years and is living off an aberrational standout 2022 campaign in Seattle. I doubt we will see him in a regular starting role again after 2025."
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Raiders fans are certainly not shocked by the prediction, as some have already called for the team to make a quarterback change. While it appears unlikely that Smith will be benched, it is apparent that he should not be in the team's long-term plans.
In addition to leading the league in interceptions, he ranks 16th in passing yards per game, tied for 21st in touchdowns, 20th in completion percentage, 31st in passer rating and 27th in quarterback rating. Cam Ward is the only player who has played all six games and thrown fewer touchdowns than Smith.
Although he has a relationship with head coach Pete Carroll that dates back to their time with the Seattle Seahawks, the quarterback has not looked the same in 2025. The more he struggles, the higher Las Vegas' chances of drafting his replacement become.
While it is unclear who will be under center for the Raiders in 2026, most fans would agree with Gagnon's assessment that it should not be Smith.
