Tim Wakefield is an ageless wonder of God

Tim Wakefield is not playing catch in the above photo, he's actually pitching the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 victory over the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. The ageless wonder that is the 42-year old Wakefield is the longest tenured Red Sox on the team and currently leads the club in wins (5) and ERA (3.59).

With Beckett, Lester and Penny struggling, and Dice-K still on the shelf - Wakefield has been the rock in the rotation so far in the Red Sox. Earlier this season, with Boston's bullpen needing some rest, he told Terry Francona before his April 15th start "I understand the circumstances and I just wanted you to know: Whatever happens, don’t take me out; let me keep going."

No hitter through 8. Became the oldest Red Sox pitcher to pitch a complete game win.

However, since he is a knuckleballer, that solid pitching can fall apart at any moment. The ball may not move as much due to differing conditions, and it's one hard pitch to control. You'll see Wakefield go through highs and lows during a season. But that's just the kind of guy he is, he's been doing this his entire career.

He's a guy that's been through the absolute worse, a very promising start to his career that include a Rookie Pitcher of the Year award by the Sporting News in 1992 spiraled down to him getting released by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1995 after having serious control problems.

The Red Sox signed him in and immediately bounced back with a 2.95 ERA and 16-8 record, and a Comeback Player of the Year Award. He still had control problems, and bounced around from starter to reliever throughout the years. He gave up the series-winning home run to Aaron Boone in the 2003 ALCS against the New York Yankees.

Wakefield gave up his chance to start in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS to save the bullpen by pitching in a blowout loss in Game 3. You know that epic 3-0 comeback against the New York Yankees that sparked the Red Sox to a World Series Championship? Now only did he save the bullpen but was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the ALCS.

Let me be blunt, that takes balls.

He led the Sox in wins in 2005 with 16, and went 17-12 in 2007. However a crummy shoulder left him off the World Series roster that year.

This year? Well it looks like the ship is sailing the right way at the moment. Here's hoping that he can only add to the legacy that will be remembered by Red Sox fans. Even if it looks like he's playing catch when he pitches.