Former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield has been diagnosed with brain cancer, according to former teammate Curt Schilling.
The diagnosis was announced Tuesday by Schilling on his podcast, ‘The Curt Schilling Baseball Show.’ the NY Post reports.
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In doing so, Schilling admitted he didn’t know if Wakefield wanted the diagnosis shared.
Schilling also revealed that Wakefield’s wife, Stacy, is “very sick with pancreatic cancer.”
Saying he’s seen the “power of prayer work,” Schilling put the Wakefields’ private lives on public display.
“Tim Wakefield is sick. … Recently, Tim was diagnosed with a very serious, very aggressive form of brain cancer. … The situation in Tim’s case is incredibly serious and he went in and had surgery,” Schilling said.
“I want Tim and Stacy to know obviously we’re praying for them, we’re thinking of them. Their children obviously going through some very tough times. I don’t want to cliche this, but nobody deserves this.”
The Red Sox acknowledged the Wakefields’ conditions and admonished Schilling for revealing the news.
“We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield,” the team said in a statement.
“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. 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.”
The wife of former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek blasted Schilling for putting the private news out to the world.
In a post shared on her X account, Catherine Varitek called out Schilling, 56, for publicising the Wakefields’ devastating news, tweeting, “F*** you Curt Schilling, that wasn’t your place!”
Varitek, 51, won two World Series titles (2004 and 2007) alongside Schilling and Wakefield, who pitched for the Red Sox between 1995 and 2011. Varitek and Catherine have been married since 2011.
Wakefield won 200 games over 19 MLB seasons thanks to his mastery of the knuckleball.
Varitek played for the Red Sox from 1997 to 2011, earning three All-Star nods, as well as a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award.
He’s one of two players in major-league history to catch four no-hitters: Hideo Nomo in 2001, Derek Lowe in 2002, Clay Buchholz in 2007 and Jon Lester in 2008.
Former Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was the other.
Varitek is currently part of the Red Sox coaching staff as the game planning co-ordinator.
This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.