The All Time Favorite Team- 5th Starter

His fastball was, in a good day, in the low 70's. But that wasn't his bread ad butter. No, for Tim Wakefield, a 60 MPH butterfly-like knuckle ball was how he'd be successful. And while he wasn't drafted by the Red Sox, he will always be a member of Red Sox nation.

In 2003, after giving up the homerun to Aaron Bleeping Boone, he feared that he'd be treated like Billy Buckner in Boston.

12 months later, he'd volunteer to pitch in relief, giving up a start in the playoffs, and setting off the most magical run I've ever seen in Baseball.

Inside the numbers... the guy had 200 Wins (186 with the Sox). In his first year with the Sox, he rattled off 27 starts, put up 195 innings, and had an ERA of 2.95. It would be one of 2 seasons where his ERA was under 3 in more than 150 IP. He pitched more than 180 IP in a season 9 times, retired with 2 World Series rings, and covered every role imaginable on a pitching staff (evem notching 15 saves in 1999).

If you want to see what Red Sox fans thought of Wakefield, head over to the tribute thread on Sons of Sam Horn.

Tim Wakefield is my number 5 starter.