The Replacements

In honor of the recent spate of injury-related call-ups, I wanted to take a look at some of the most surprising and productive replacement players the Sox have had over the years. This is obviously weighted pretty heavily toward the years I've been an active fan -- essentially 1987-present.

These selections are completely arbitrary; my definition of 'replacement' is essentially 'players who were not supposed to play a major role on the team, but did'. If you think I forgot someone (which I almost certainly did), mention them in the comments. Hopefully one of the current Sox replacements will be up here on this list a few years from now -- the team certainly needs someone to step up given the current injury bug.

6/25 Online Seats Game Thread: Heading Further West

After narrowly avoiding the sweep at the hands of the Rockies, the Boston Red Sox will head further west to try their luck against the Giants.

6/19 Online Seats Game Thread: Showing Manny Who Is Boss

Not that Vincente Padilla strikes fear into the hearts of Bay Staters, but the Los Angeles Dodgers will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after their loss last night to the Boston Red Sox who will send Tim Wakefield to the mound.

6/13 Online Seats Game Thread: Phils without the Fight

The Boston Red Sox look to continue their interleague success against the floundering Phillies, who continued to serve up easy runs to the Boston yesterday. Sunday's contest, which will send Cole Hamels out to face Tim Wakefield, may not be as easy.

Wakefield Uber Alles

Last night, Tim Wakefield accomplished something no other pitcher ever has: he recorded his 8,329th out as a member of the Boston Red Sox. For those who are less than mathematically inclined (like myself), that's 2,776 and 1/3 innings, one out more than Roger Clemens recorded with a B on his cap. It's a useful moment with which to reflect on the astonishing career of Tim Wakefield, and on what he has given this team both on the field and off. The longest tenured member of the Red Sox (Wake arrived in Boston as a free agent during the first month of the 1995 season, two years before anyone had heard of Nomar Garciaparra), Wakefield has been as selfless a player as has ever worn a Sox uniform. That he can arrive at this record is a testament to his loyalty, selflessness, and love of this game.

6/8 Online Seats Game Thread: Wakefield Must Wake Up

On the heels of eight shut out innings by Dice-K, Tim Wakefield will lead the Boston Red Sox in another contest against the Cleveland Indians and David Huff, who was recently humbled by a monster line drive to the head off the bat of Alex Rodriguez just two weeks ago.

Cautious Optimism But Lacking Something

The Red Sox offense is in good shape. The local nine is second in runs scored and OPS. The lineup has been legit even with Jeremy Hermida (649 OPS) and Darnell McDonald (746 OPS) getting 246 of the 1920 Red Sox at-bats or 12.8%. The other seven regulars are collectively performing as expected. When Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury take plate appearances from Hermida and McDonald, the Olde Towne Team should put up more crooked numbers.

On the pitching front, walks have been the issue. The health and return to form from Josh Beckett will reduce the number of free passes. If he replaces Tim Wakefield, the club will benefit even more since his style dictates not giving into hitters.

6/3 Online Seats Game Thread: Wake in Waiting for Boston

Terry Francona give the ball to the knuckler Tim Wakefield once again, as Josh Beckett still rides the pine with a prolonged back injury, as the Boston Red Sox's stare down a series sweep of the Oakland Athletics.

Temporary — and Permanent — Rotation Fixes, Lowell to Anaheim?

Temporary -- and Permanent -- Rotation Fixes Night after night, hit after hit, the Sox rotation is looking more like a punch-drunk boxer than a viable contender. Though Lester has reaffirmed his ace status and Buchholz has put together a nice season on the surface, there just isn’t much to lean on after those two. Lackey at least keeping the team in games with a 4.84 ERA/5.26 xFIP, Daisuke (5.77 ERA/5.48 xFIP) and Tim Wakefield (5.68 ERA/5.54 xFIP) can’t find their groove. Though we knew what we were getting into trotting Daisuke to the mound – with his salary making him that much more cumbersome and immobile – the focus shifts to Tim Wakefield.

5/ 28 Online Seats Game Thread: Wake Takes Mound Yet Again

In baffling fashion, the Boston Red Sox top some of the league's best on the road, and then proceed to drop a home game against the Kansas City Royals. Tim Wakefield will have to use his experience to get this new look Red Sox to take it one game at a time, as they take on Kyle Davies tonight at Fenway.