In the 2007 World Series, the Red Sox defeated the Rockies handily to win their second championship in four years.
Prior to Boston’s opening game of a three-game series against Colorado at Coors Field on Monday night, Alex Cora cherished memories of a unique moment spent with Tim Wakefield.
In his pregame press conference, Cora recalled, “I was sitting with Wake on that bench over there for the last out,” as seen in a NESN clip. “I leaped the guardrail. He put his face squarely in front of the railing as he attempted to jump it. Wake and I stayed for two games there. as though we hadn’t moved. Cora stated that he didn’t leave his bench until he hit a sacrifice bunt in the top of the ninth inning of Boston’s 10-5 triumph in Game 3, moving series MVP Mike Lowell to second.
“That’s where we stayed,” he recalled. Having Wake there was fantastic. That bench had many happy recollections.
The Red Sox captain went on to say that Wakefield was not included in Boston’s first celebration shots after Jonathan Papelbon struck out Seth Smith to seal the victory because of his awful face plant.
Despite having won 17 games in the 2007 campaign, Wakefield was hurt heading into the Fall Classic. In the end, the team chose not to include Wakefield on the World Series roster.
Over the course of the series, the Red Sox outscored Colorado 29–10, destroying the Rockies in four games. Mike Timlin wrapped his arm over Wakefield’s shoulder during the game-winning victory at Coors Field and told his teammate something that nearly took him to tears.
Timlin exclaimed, “This guy makes me proud.” “Leaving oneself out of the game for someone else is the toughest thing to do. However, he succeeded, and I’m happy for him.
During the regular season, Cora appeared in 83 games for the Red Sox. While batting, he collected three home runs and eighteen RBIs.246. In the 2007 postseason, he played in just four games for Boston.