Wakefield Receives Brooks Robinson Service Award

By  //  November 24, 2013

exemplifies an unselfish and humble attitude

ABOVE VIDEO: Tim Wakefield was recognized in 2010 as a Central Florida Humanitarian and his tribute included high praise and admiration from the Brevard community.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Tim Wakefield‘s playing career may be over, but his charitable endeavors are not.

Tim Wakefield was named the 2013 recipient of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association’s Brooks Robinson Community Service Award at the 14th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City last Tuesday. (Image courtesy of MLB.com)
Tim Wakefield was named the 2013 recipient of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association’s Brooks Robinson Community Service Award at the 14th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City last Tuesday. (Image courtesy of MLB.com)

The former Eau Gallie High, Florida Tech Panther and Boston Red Sox baseball player Tim Wakefield was honored in New York Tuesday when he received the Brooks Robinson Community Service Award.

The award is given out by the Major League Baseball Player’s Alumni Association, and was handed out at the 14th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner.

Presented every year, this recognition goes to a player that exemplifies an unselfish and humble attitude in community service to better the lives of youth in their community.

Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield spent 17 seasons with the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 2012.

Wakefield and played for the Florida Tech Panthers from 1986-88 and was named the team MVP for his sophomore and junior seasons as a first baseman. He still owns program records for home runs (40), single-season home runs (22), and RBIs (71).

Wakefield spent 17 seasons with the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 2012. He was the longest serving Red Sox player and earned 200 career wins on the mound. His 186 victories with the Red Sox are third most in team history, behind Cy Young and Roger Clemens.

He is second in all-time wins at Fenway Park and is first all-time in innings pitched by a Red Sox hurler.

CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN RECOGNITION

Wakefield was recognized in 2010 as a Central Florida Humanitarian and his tribute included high praise and admiration from the Brevard community.

Tim Wakefield, above with fellow humanitarian Larry Bishop, is a two-time World Series champion who retired after a stellar 20-year career. iA champion of philanthropy, Wakefield was honored as a Central Florida Humanitarian in 2010.
Tim Wakefield, above with fellow humanitarian Dr. Larry Bishop, is a two-time World Series champion who retired after a stellar 20-year career. iA champion of philanthropy, Wakefield was honored as a Central Florida Humanitarian in 2010.

The roof of the Space Coast Early Intervention Center sports a large baseball with a bold number 49, which was Wakefield’s number with in pro baseball.

Melbourne son, and Boston Red Sox legend, Wakefield has been an indefatigable ally to the Center for more than 23 years, fulfilling his promise to support the mission of the Center if he ever made it into the big leagues.

Over the years, Wakefield’s annual celebrity golf classic and memorabilia auction has raised almost $5 million dollars to benefit the children and families of the Space Coast Early Intervention Center.

He gives equally of his time, talent and treasure, matching auction totals with more than $350,000 out of his own pocket.

Over the years, Wakefield’s annual celebrity golf classic and memorabilia auction has raised almost $5 million dollars to benefit the children and families of the Space Coast Early Intervention Center.

“Tim stays in touch with the school year-round and any one of the students attending can tell you who their favorite Red Sox player is,” said Ashley Gardner of the Center.

Every year on the Friday before the golf tourney, Wakefield and the other participating celebrities visit the school to chat with the children and see firsthand the lives their generosity is so positively impacting.

“It is certain to all involved that Space Coast Early Intervention Center is thriving today because of the time and dedication Tim Wakefield has given without even being asked,” added Gardner.

REAL DEAL ON AND OFF THE DIAMOND

The two-time World Series champion is also a champion of philanthropy.

Famous throughout Major League Baseball as one of its most charitable players, Wakefield won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010, which is presented to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” (Image courtesy of the Boston Red Sox)
Famous throughout Major League Baseball as one of its most charitable players, Wakefield won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010, which is presented to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” (Image courtesy of the Boston Red Sox)

Famous throughout Major League Baseball as one of its most charitable players, Wakefield won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010, which is presented to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”

Since 1998, the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston brings young patients to Fenway Park to share time with Wakefield on and off the field.

Pitching in for Kids, an organization that improves the lives of children across New England, is another favorite Wakefield charity. In association with Longball Vineyards, Wakefield released a charity wine called CaberKnuckle, with 100 percent of proceeds going to support Pitching in for Kids.

Wakefield also received the Bart Giamatti Award, recognizing him as the player who “best exemplifies the compassion demonstrated” by the late Major League Baseball Commissioner.