Stacy Wakefield, the widow of the late Major League Baseball player,Tim Wakefield, has died, the Boston Red Sox has confirmed. Her death comes five months after the pitcher died in October 2023.
The teamannouncedStacy’s death in a press release Wednesday on behalf of the Wakefield family.
Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty
Both Stacy and Tim — whose famous “knuckleball” made him one of the most dominant Major League pitchers of the early 2000s — were diagnosed with different forms of cancer, according to MLB pitcherCurt Schilling, whorevealed the couple’s diagnoses against their wisheslast September.
Schilling, 56, had said on his podcast that Tim — who was his teammate on the Red Sox from 2004 to 2007 — had been diagnosed with an “aggressive form of brain cancer” and that his wife has pancreatic cancer.
Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield,” the team said. “Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission. Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease."
The statement continued, “Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”
They added, “Tim embodied the finest qualities as a teammate, a competitor, and a caring man. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wakefield family and all who knew and loved Tim.”
Franciscan Hospital for Children dedicated its new athletic field to Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield. He and his wife, Stacy, and kids Trevor and Brianna, dedicate the new field.Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty
Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty
In their statement released via the Red Sox on Wednesday, the Wakefield family also thanked Stacy’s caregivers and asked for privacy.
“We would like to thank all of Stacy’s doctors, nurses and caretakers who helped her from diagnosis to today — we are eternally grateful for your unmatched care and support,” the family said. “And to all of you who have sent well wishes over these last several months, we truly appreciate your kindness.”
They added, “We kindly ask for privacy at this time as we try to process this profound loss.”
The couple first married in 2002 and had two children — Trevor, 19, and Brianna, 17 — together.
source: people.com
