- The health status of Tim Wakefield and his wife Stacy was publicly revealed
- Curt Schilling was widely criticized for revealing the couple’s diagnoses
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Red Sox legend Wade Boggs has apologized for spreading the news that Tim Wakefield has cancer after Curt Schilling revealed the diagnosis without family consent.
Schilling said on his podcast that Wakefield has a “very aggressive form of brain cancer,” adding that his wife, Stacy, also has pancreatic cancer.
And while he didn’t realize the news was initially meant to be private, Boggs said on Twitter: “Wow, just another punch in the gut. @TimWakefield49 diagnosed with brain cancer, you can beat it Brother, keep up the fight.”
He later apologized, saying, “When I posted my tweet, I didn’t know Tim’s condition wasn’t supposed to be public. My apologies to Tim and his family.’
Schilling was widely reprimanded for sharing Wakefield’s cancer diagnosis, with the Red Sox sharing a statement about the former knuckleballer and his wife.
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield is battling aggressive brain cancer
Curt Schilling was widely reprimanded for sharing the news without the family’s permission
Wade Boggs wished the Wakefields well but then apologized for publicizing the situation
“We are aware of the statements and questions regarding the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield,” it said. “Unfortunately, this information was shared publicly without their consent.
“Their health is a deeply personal matter that they wanted to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to combat this disease. Tim and Stacy appreciate the support and love that has always been offered to them and respectfully request privacy at this time.”
Former American football star Taylor Twellman, who spent eight years with the Red Sox at MLS’ New England Revolution, also criticized Schilling: ‘This is NOT your place (Schilling). It wasn’t your news to share. BS,” he said.
The wife of former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek – another ex-Wakefield teammate – also criticized the controversial retiree.
“Fuck you Curt Schilling, that wasn’t your place!” she said.
Wakefield, 57, is a celebrated member of the 2004 Red Sox, who came back from a 3-0 deficit against the rival New York Yankees to win the American League Championship Series en route to the team’s first World Series title since 1918 .
The Red Sox released a statement saying the Wakefields ‘respectfully request privacy’
Tim Wakefield, flanked by his wife Stacy, wipes a tear from his eye at Fenway Park in 2012
In revealing the news about Wakefield, Schilling said he had seen “the power of prayer work.”
“I want Tim and Stacy to know clearly that we are praying for them and thinking about them,” he said. Their children are clearly going through some very difficult times.
‘I don’t want to make this cliché, but no one deserves this. … Although they are both very sick now, they both need to know that there are many people here who are praying and thinking about them.
Schilling has ostracized himself after his retirement by making hateful comments toward Muslims, transgender people, journalists and others.