TORONTO — Aaron Boone and Tim Wakefield will eternally be intertwined in baseball history, and the Yankees manager had the previous Red Sox knuckleballer on his mind Thursday.
On Wednesday, the news got here out that Wakefield and his wife are battling serious health issues, with Wakefield being diagnosed with brain cancer, former teammate Curt Schilling said on his podcast — without Wakefield’s permission, the Red Sox later said in a press release.
“Tim was such an excellent player in his day, but obviously a man that’s rather well respected and well liked and loved across the baseball world, in our baseball fraternity,” Boone said Thursday before a 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
“My heart goes out to him, my prayers exit to him and his family. It’s sobering to listen to those things. Also considered one of those things in life that comes up that at all times makes you’ve a bit little bit of perspective on what you get to do each and day-after-day.
“I do know Wake’s going to have loads of support. I hope he knows he has it across the whole baseball community and positively us with the Yankees.”
Within the nearly 20 years since Boone hit a walk-off homer against Wakefield in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, the 2 former players have crossed paths plenty, with Boone appreciating their conversations.
“I actually love catching up with him because he’s a superb dude, easy to be around,” Boone said. “He’s anyone that I actually like and positively respect quite a bit.”
Anthony Rizzo (post-concussion syndrome) is continuous to make progress in his rehab, with Boone saying he considers the veteran first baseman a healthy player heading into the offseason.
“His last checkup or testing was all where it needed to be,” Boone said. “He’s doing rather well. He’s already getting after it from a workout standpoint. Feel like he’s heading into the winter healthy and able to do all the pieces he must do to be the Anthony Rizzo we all know heading into spring training.”
Carlos Rodon will make his final start of the season Friday against the Royals, attempting to exit on a high note after a frustrating season wherein he missed time with forearm, back and hamstring injuries.
Clarke Schmidt and Michael King will follow Rodon within the series to complete the season.
A day in spite of everything but wrapping up the AL Cy Young award with a complete-game shutout, Gerrit Cole treated himself to taking one round of batting practice.