The Red Sox say that Tim Wakefield is getting care and asks for privacy

The Boston Red Sox have announced that former knuckleball player and announcer Tim Wakefield is receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. The franchise has requested fans to respect Wakefield's privacy following the disclosure of his condition by former colleague Curt Schilling without his permission.

Following Schilling's admission on a podcast that Wakefield had brain cancer, the team released a statement on Thursday. This sparked an outpouring of sympathy for Wakefield and criticism of Schilling. The Red Sox stated that Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, gave them permission to release the statement.

The group stated, "Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission." "As they fight through treatment and try to beat this illness, their health is a very personal topic that they planned to keep private. Tim and Stacy kindly request privacy at this time and are grateful for all of the love and support that have always been shown to them.

With a 200-192 record and a 4.41 ERA in more than 3,000 major league innings, Wakefield, 57, announced his retirement in 2012. He participated in Boston's World Series victories in 2004 and 2007 and was elected into the team's Hall of Fame in 2016.

Since 2012, he has been employed by the Red Sox broadcast network, NESN, and he has continued to be involved with Boston nonprofits, such as the Red Sox Foundation.