I have always had good luck betting against Wakefield so I hope he does manage to stay in the league.I know,it's not how fast a ball is thrown,it's how much action is on the knuckle ball.Then of course on each broadcast the color guy always has to make excuses for the knuckler like Wakefield saying,when knucklers are on they are on and some nights the weather causes the action on the ball to be gone.etc.Knuckle balling is no exact science.Wakefield even when he's on and wins,it's always a complete struggle.Talk about a long career held together with duct tape and crazy glue.The guy should earn a lifetime achievement award for the guy with the least ability that stayed in the game the longest.I know,his record is decent but he plays for a good team.
I think there is a jealousy factor where most ex high school pitchers think that they were all much better than Wakefield.I know a pitcher that was a standout in college that could also hit for power and play utility man and he was clocked a few times throwing 100MPH.The Astro's drafted him in something like the 8th round which is pretty good for baseball.They sent him to rookie league and then single A for 2 years and cut him in his 3rd spring training.Now he's playing independent ball hoping to get picked up by a major league organization.I would take this guy over Wakefield any day of the week.
Hell,if I was in high school again playing baseball I would want Wakefield to pitch to me instead of a few of the guys I hit against that never went anywhere except beer league softball after high school.
I think there is a jealousy factor where most ex high school pitchers think that they were all much better than Wakefield.I know a pitcher that was a standout in college that could also hit for power and play utility man and he was clocked a few times throwing 100MPH.The Astro's drafted him in something like the 8th round which is pretty good for baseball.They sent him to rookie league and then single A for 2 years and cut him in his 3rd spring training.Now he's playing independent ball hoping to get picked up by a major league organization.I would take this guy over Wakefield any day of the week.
Hell,if I was in high school again playing baseball I would want Wakefield to pitch to me instead of a few of the guys I hit against that never went anywhere except beer league softball after high school.
