Tim Wakefield ‘Paved The Way For Steven Wright’

5teamparlay · Apr 28, 2016

http://nesn.com/2016/04/red-sox-not...im-wakefield-paved-the-way-for-steven-wright/[h=2]Red Sox Notes: John Farrell Says Tim Wakefield ‘Paved The Way For Steven Wright’[/h]by Sam Galanis on Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 12:20AM BOSTON — Knuckleball pitchers don’t come around very often, but there’s a good reason the Red Sox have had two pretty notable ones on the mound.
Wednesday’s 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves marked knuckleballer Steven Wright’s fourth straight quality start this season after an outing that saw him allow two runs (one earned) on just three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Wright has even allowed two runs or fewer in eight straight starts dating back to July, 25, 2015, which is the longest active streak among American League starters.
But not every team wants to give knuckleballers a chance, and not every pitcher wants to try to throw one.
“It’s not the arms,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday about why we don’t see more knuckleball pitchers. “It’s the mastery or endless pursuit to execute that pitch. … And then I think you need an organization that embraces it. Tim Wakefield certainly has paved the way for Steven Wright to continue to provide opportunities. … It’s a unique pitch, we know, but the bottom line numbers are undeniable.”
Knuckleballers also can’t really control where their own pitches go, as Wright attested to Wednesday, so they need to have a skilled catcher they can trust. And Wright said Ryan Hanigan has been that for him.
“I threw to (Hanigan) one time last year and then the times I’ve thrown this year, and so I feel like every time we go out, he gets more and more comfortable,” Wright said. “It especially showed a lot (Wednesday night) because (the knuckleball) was moving a lot more than it has in the last couple starts, so for him to be able to knock those balls down is awesome. I can’t give enough credit to him and what he’s done to get better the last couple games back there.”

festeringZit · Apr 28, 2016

arniesarmy · Apr 28, 2016

My first thought was "I didn't think Wakefield was that funny.."

ML Dog · Apr 28, 2016

arniesarmy said:
My first thought was "I didn't think Wakefield was that funny.."

Exactly. And the comedian Steven Wright is among the last people I would have thought would develop a Knuckleball.

arniesarmy · Apr 28, 2016

"I've developed a knuckleball, now when I go commando, I hit myself in the other ball."

5teamparlay · May 13, 2016

5-13-16

The Steven Wright most synonymous with the Boston area is the Cambridge-born deadpan comedian whose Red Sox connections begin and end with his unwavering support.


Stating before the season that Steven Wright the knuckleballer would be Boston's most effective starter certainly would've elicited some laughs, too, but he's quickly making a name for himself with how well he's pitched.
Heading into Friday night's start against the visiting Houston Astros, Wright (3-3, 1.52 ERA) has continued to impress with a quality start in each of his six outings, joining Rogers Clemens (1991 and '93) and Clay Buchholz (2013) as the only Red Sox pitchers in the last 50 years with such a start to a season.
His first career complete game came Sunday with a three-hitter in a 5-1 win over the New York Yankees. The only run he gave up was a homer with two outs in the ninth.
This is the right-hander's first opportunity in four years to be in the rotation full-time after making a career-high nine starts in 2015.