Curt Schilling said he will ‘forever regret’ how he handled Tim Wakefield’s cancer diagnosis
Schilling publicly revealed that the late Red Sox pitcher was battling cancer.
Curt Schilling confirmed that he will not be attending the Red Sox’ celebration of the 2004 World Series team, sharing remorse over how he handled the news of Tim Wakefield’s cancer diagnosis in September.
After it was reported that Schilling wasn’t planning to attend the celebration at the Red Sox’ home opener on April 9, he replied that he’ll “forever regret” how he handled the Wakefield situation to a fan on his Facebook page who said he should attend the festivities at Fenway Park.
“No I don’t. Not this time,” Schilling wrote. “It’s about the 04 team and Wake, and we all know the media, [The Boston Globe‘s Dan Shaughnessy] in particular, will be writing things that have nothing to do with either of those things, even more were I to attend. Let the focus be on 04 and Wakey and [Stacey]. I’ll forever regret what happened but I cannot in good conscience put my self in a position that would detract from the recognition that team and the Wakefields deserve. FWIW I wrote a letter to all the people whose opinion matters to me, so the people I care about know.”
Schilling was the first person to make Wakefield’s cancer diagnosis public, sharing that he and his wife, Stacy, were both battling cancer on Sept. 26 even though he hadn’t received permission to do so. His decision to make their cancer diagnosis public was met with great backlash, including from the wife of former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. It also prompted the Red Sox to put out a statement.
Tim Wakefield passed away less than a week after Schilling’s public reveal on Oct. 1 after battling brain cancer. He was 57. Stacy Wakefield passed away on Feb. 28 after battling pancreatic cancer. She was 53.
Earlier in the week, multiple reports emerged that Schilling had declined to attend the ceremony celebrating the 2004 Red Sox at the April 9 home opener, which will also pay tribute to the Wakefields. The Red Sox shared that all players and coaches will wear a “49” patch this season while fans who attend the home opener will receive a heart-shaped pin with Wakefield’s number.
The Red Sox are expecting a “large contingent” of players from the 2004 World Series team to attend their Opening Day ceremonies, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported.
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