INTERVIEW: Tim Wakefield talks Charlie Brown, 2004, and more!
Photo from the author |
Contributing Writer
Today, Tim Wakefield read "Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin" to a group of 2nd grade students at Harvard & Kent Elementary School and talked about healthy Halloween snacks at an event put on by MetLife. The point of the event was to promote healthy Trick-or-Treating with this group of young kids and to encourage parents to take advantage of their dental benefits during the annual open enrollment period as well.
After the event, I was lucky enough to interview Tim about some of his experiences on Halloween as a kid, 2004 and how the Sox can get back into contention. Here are some of the highlights.
Q: Why did you do this event?
Wakefield said that he did this because good oral health is something he feels strongly about, especially with 2 kids at home (8 and 10).
My kids are going through the whole braces incident. My wife and I talk to them about the importance about brushing your teeth twice a day, after you eat, and keeping healthy teeth for healthy living.
Q: Are you a big Charlie Brown fan?
He told me that it was something that he grew up with and something that resonated with him as a kid.
It (Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin Patch) was something that my sister and I watched, and really resonated with me as a kid.
Q: It's the 10 year anniversary of 2004 - do you have one particular memory that stands out?
I think being able to share that with generations of fans..your generation, your parents' generation, your grandparents generations...
Game-wise, I would have to say beating the Yankees - that was our World Series...After that, our momentum carried us into St. Louis.
Q: How did it feel to win in 2007?
It was nice to get 2 in the next 4 years after breaking an 86 year curse. It was nice to be able to turn around and win again without the pressure of the curse.
Q: Who's your favorite active knuckleball pitcher?
Steven Wright - I'm mentoring him now as we speak. I'm glad he got a start last year...I think he pitched pretty well for the Boston Red Sox this year. I think he's there now - he's just starting his career. I think he has a good chance to make the team out of Spring Training.
Q: What do the Red Sox need to do to get back into contention?
First and foremost, they need to get Jon Lester back. They're in a great position to make some trades - they have a lot of outfield potential, and just getting the pitching they had last year.
Q: Is there a possibility of Lester coming back?
I think there's a great possibility...It's something that the team wants, and something he wants. This is the organization he began his career with and the one he wants to finish with.
These are some of the highlights - check out the full interview below.