Stacy Stover Obituary, Cause Of Death: What Happened to Tim Wakefield’s Spouse? How Did She Die?
Stacy Stover, the widow of former Boston Red Sox pitcher and two-time World Series champion Tim Wakefield, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2024, at her home in Massachusetts. She was 53 years old.
Stacy had been battling cancer for several years, the same disease that claimed the life of her husband less than five months ago. Tim Wakefield died on October 3, 2023, at the age of 57, after suffering a seizure caused by a brain tumor.
The Wakefield family announced Stacy’s death in a statement released through the Red Sox, expressing their grief and gratitude for the support they received.
“We are heartbroken to share the news that Stacy Stover, Tim’s beloved wife and mother of their two children, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She fought courageously against cancer for many years, always with grace, dignity, and optimism. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, who touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, generosity, and joy. We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received from our extended family, friends, and the Red Sox community. We take comfort in the fact that she will be reunited with Tim, the love of her life, in heaven.”
She and Tim Wakefield met in 1999, when Tim was pitching for the Red Sox and Stacy was working as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. They married in 2002 and had two children, Brianna and Trevor. The couple lived in Hingham, Massachusetts, and were active in various charitable causes, especially the Pitching in for Kids Foundation, which supports children’s health, education, and wellness.
Stacy Stover was a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. She worked as a reporter for CNN and Fox News before becoming a flight attendant. She loved traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.
Stacy Stover is survived by her two children, her parents, her brother, her sister, and many other relatives and friends. A private funeral service will be held for the family, followed by a public memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Pitching in for Kids Foundation or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Stacy’s memory.
Tim Wakefield’s Legacy
Tim Wakefield was one of the most respected and accomplished pitchers in baseball history, known for his signature knuckleball that baffled hitters and catchers alike. He played 19 seasons in the major leagues, 17 of them with the Red Sox, from 1995 to 2011. He won 200 games, the third-most in Red Sox history, and helped the team win two World Series titles, in 2004 and 2007, breaking the infamous “Curse of the Bambino”.
Tim Wakefield was also a leader and a mentor in the clubhouse, a fan favorite, and a generous philanthropist. He won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010, the highest honor for a player who demonstrates excellence on and off the field. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He remained involved with the Red Sox as a special instructor and a broadcaster after his retirement.
Tim Wakefield was born in Melbourne, Florida, and attended Florida Tech, where he studied engineering and played baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988 as a first baseman, but switched to pitching after struggling at the plate. He developed his knuckleball with the help of former major leaguer Phil Niekro, and made his debut in 1992. He had a sensational rookie season, leading the Pirates to the National League Championship Series, where he lost a heartbreaking Game 7 to the Atlanta Braves.
He joined the Red Sox in 1995, after being released by the Pirates, and quickly became a key member of the rotation. He was versatile and durable, pitching as a starter, a reliever, and a closer at different points in his career. He was also clutch in the postseason, winning some of the most memorable games in Red Sox history, such as Game 6 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, and Game 4 of the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, which clinched the first championship for the Red Sox in 86 years.
Tim Wakefield is widely regarded as one of the best knuckleball pitchers of all time, along with Niekro, Hoyt Wilhelm, and R.A. Dickey. He threw the pitch with minimal spin, relying on the air currents to make it move unpredictably. He often baffled hitters, who had trouble timing and hitting the slow and erratic pitch. He also frustrated catchers, who had difficulty catching the pitch, resulting in many passed balls and wild pitches. He had a special relationship with his catchers, especially Doug Mirabelli, who caught most of his games from 2001 to 2007.
Tim Wakefield is remembered as a humble and gracious person, who always gave credit to his teammates and coaches, and never complained about his role or his results. He was a loyal and faithful husband, who supported his wife through her illness, and a loving and devoted father, who cherished his children. He was a role model and an inspiration to many, who admired his perseverance, his professionalism, and his generosity.
Comparing Tim and Stacy Wakefield’s Lives
| Name | Tim Wakefield | Stacy Wakefield |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 2, 1966 | June 15, 1970 |
| Date of Death | October 3, 2023 | February 28, 2024 |
| Cause of Death | Brain cancer-related seizure | Cancer |
| Place of Birth | Melbourne, Florida | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Place of Death | Hingham, Massachusetts | Hingham, Massachusetts |
| Education | Florida Tech | University of Georgia |
| Occupation | Baseball pitcher | Flight attendant, journalist |
| Spouse | Stacy Wakefield (m. 2002-2023) | Tim Wakefield (m. 2002-2023) |
| Children | Brianna Wakefield, Trevor Wakefield | Brianna Wakefield, Trevor Wakefield |
| Awards and Honors | Two-time World Series champion, All-Star, Roberto Clemente Award, Red Sox Hall of Fame, Florida Sports Hall of Fame | N/A |
| Charitable Causes | Pitching in for Kids Foundation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Wakefield Warriors, Jimmy Fund | Pitching in for Kids Foundation, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute |
| Social Links | Wikipedia- @Tim_Wakefield | Instagram- #stacystover Wikipedia- Not Live Homepage- Newsunzip |
