Cartoon Canon: Wakefield for the win!

RICHMOND, Va. -- Man, was I stung by the news of Tim Wakefield's death. I found out about his illness (apparently against his wishes) late last week and just a few days later, he was gone.

What a find he was in 1992, bursting onto the scene to challenge the Braves' three-headed monster of Steve Avery, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz in the NLCS... and what a job he did, going the distance in Games 3 and 6, both Pirate wins. Even after he moved to the Red Sox, a team annoying enough as lovable losers that became insufferable as serial winners, I always rooted for Tim Wakefield. How could you not?