According to the Boston Globe's Peter Abraham, Wakefield indicated that this season will likely be his last in the MLB. According to the report, Wake still has a few goals in mind, but the 44-year-old may be ready to hang up his cleats.
"There are still some numbers I want to achieve. But I'm not going to put that much pressure on myself knowing that this probably will be my last year," Wakefield said. "I'm not going to come out and say I'm going to retire at the end of the 2011 season. But getting closer to the end, I'd really like to enjoy it more than I did last year."
It's a smart move by Wakefield to start enjoying the final year of his incredible career. Wake has become one of the most beloved players in Red Sox Nation and always kept his head up even when he wasn't pleased about the demotion to the bullpen in 2010.
"Regardless of what my role is going to be (next season), I think I'm going into it with more with my eyes open compared to last year," he said. "I'm looking forward to coming in and contributing in whatever manner I can."
With that attitude, Red Sox fans can bank on Wakefield going out with a well-deserved tribute to his longstanding career in Boston. Perhaps a "Thanks Wake" day in on the horizon for 2011.
