SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Celebrity athletes and community members alike gathered for a special ceremony during the start of American Century Championship week on Tuesday, July 7 to honor Tim Wakefield, unforgettable Major League Baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and legendary knuckleballer, at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center.

Wakefield, who passed away at age 57 from brain cancer, harbored a deep connection to the South Lake Tahoe community. To celebrate who he was as a man and as a teammate, Gary Quinn, Vice President, partnerships and general manager, owned properties at NBC Sports, American Century Investment’s Senior Vice President, Rick Luchinsky, South Lake Tahoe Mayor, Cody Bass, along with former professional baseball players, Derek Lowe, John Smoltz and Kevin Millar, spoke of Wakefield’s dedication to his family, his team and the town. 

“Every summer, our town lights up with a special kind of energy,” said Bass. “For more than three decades, the American Century Championship has brought the world’s eyes to our shores, but it’s always brought us something much deeper than celebrity spotlights. It has brought us true partners who care about the heartbeat of this town.”

Bass dubbed Wakefield the “champion of charity”, saying he always had time for fans and a smile for a child.  

“Though Tim is no longer with us, his spirit is officially, permanently woven into the fabric of South Lake Tahoe,” Bass said during his speech. “Thanks to a deeply generous donation made in his honor by the Tim Wakefield Foundation, NBC Sports and the American Century Golf Tournament, our new recreation center is now home to state-of-the-art batting cages.” 

Contributions in Wakefield’s name from NBC Sports and American Century Investments totaled a staggering $50,000 towards the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center thus far.

Jerry Bindel and the South Tahoe Parks Foundation highlighted a special jersey dedication for Wakefield during the ceremony, saying the tribute will be hung inside the Rec Center. 

Gary Quinn was then handed the “Key to the City” by Mayor Bass who said Quinn was responsible for helping ensure that support be poured back into the community every year.

“We’re so grateful for the opportunity to give back. This community means everything to us,” Quinn said after accepting the key. “This is probably the most meaningful and rewarding part of my career, and I’m going to do everything I can with our partners at American Century to help the community keep this here for as long as we can.”

Sports legend and Wakefield’s Boston Red Sox teammate, Kevin Millar spoke about his bond with Wakefield and how it was born when Wakefield was a first baseman. Millar also joked about playing catch with him to see if he can catch his iconic knuckleballs.

As Millar ended his speech, he told Bass that it was time to change his style and handed him a Red Sox hat with a smile. 

Derek Lowe got up on the microphone and recalled his rookie year in 1997 when Wakefield took Lowe under his wing and taught him how to be professional, on and off the field. 

John Smoltz said a few words about having the privilege to be Wakefield’s teammate in the last year of Smoltz’s career. Smoltz noted that he and Wakefield shared a common bond – they were the two oldest guys on the team. 

“Tim, this is a great honor for him,” Smoltz told the Tribune. “He cared deeply about everybody, including his family and the community. This tournament and what this represents is going to go a long way to keep that legacy alive.” 

Lowe added, “We miss him, he was a tremendous guy. It’s a special day.”

After the ceremony, the crowd hit the batting cages and watched as Smoltz threw pitches to children in the community. 

The South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center is located at 1100 Rufus Allen Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.