Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Mariners pitcher had perfect tribute to late Tim Wakefield at Fenway Park

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Aug 1, 2024 2:45 AM ET

Seattle Mariners ace George Kirby gave the perfect tribute to the late Tim Wakefield on Wednesday night.

Kirby pitched 5.1 innings of two-run ball, though his Mariners lost 3-2 to the Red Sox in 10 innings at Fenway Park in Boston. For his first pitch of the game, Kirby threw a knuckleball as a tribute to Wakefield.

George Kirby threw a knuckleball to begin Wednesday's game against the Red Sox to pay tribute to Tim Wakefield

“He was a special player. So just being able to do it here in Boston was pretty cool.” – George Kirby pic.twitter.com/3vLyb7yEGZ

— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2024

Though that pitch was a ball, Kirby got Jarren Duran to fly out two pitches later.

After the game, in which Kirby took a no-decision, the pitcher confirmed that he had thrown a knuckleball on the first pitch. He said it was a tribute to Wakefield.

“He was a special player. So just being able to do it here in Boston was pretty cool,” Kirby said after the game.

Wakefield spent 19 years in the big leagues as a knuckleball pitcher. He won two World Series with the Red Sox and even made an All-Star team. Wakefield died in October 2023 due to brain cancer.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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