Master and Apprentice

On a sunny Tuesday in Fort Myers there was a subtle yet palpable tension in the air as two pitchers, once oceans apart, took the field for the first time together.

The apprentice was nervous and happy, the master was honored and impressed, and they both were frustrating the poor catcher sentenced to work behind the plate.

Eighteen year old Eri Yoshida of Japan received her first direct coaching lesson from this generation's current head honcho, forty three year old Tim Wakefield. Wakey-sama watched the young apprentice throw her signature sidearm knuckle-ball and offered advice and encouragement. Eri was excited to meet her longtime idol and even more grateful for the tips she received.

I've got a soft spot in my baseball heart for Knuckle-baller throwers. The unpredictability they bring to the game means it's never boring. Yoshida is pitching in the independent leagues right now but hopes to catch on in the minors. There aren't a whole lot of knuckle-ball pitchers out there right now, although RA Dickey recently signed a minor league deal with the Mets. Could she be the next Hoyt Wilhelm, Phil Neikro or even a Dick Newsome? Probably not, but hey, it's always fun to watch those wacky pitches torturing batters and catchers alike.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Wakefield this year. Can the Sox rotation stay healthy and productive enough that the knuckler's services won't be needed, or will he end up bailing them out of a tight spot when Beckett gets injured, Dice K loses his stuff or Buchholz gets caught swiping laptops again?