Tim Wakefield, Red Sox’ beloved World Series winning pitcher, dies at 57

• Wakefield found success with old-fashioned knuckleball pitch
• Pitcher was known for his kindness and generosity

Tim Wakefield, the knuckleball pitcher who helped the Boston Red Sox win their curse-busting World Series title in 2004 has died at the age of 57.

The Red Sox announced his death in a statement on Sunday. Wakefield had brain cancer, according to ex-teammate Curt Schilling, who outed the illness on a podcast last week - drawing an outpouring of support for Wakefield. The Red Sox confirmed an illness at the time but did not elaborate, saying Wakefield had requested privacy.