Major League Baseball

Wakefield, Varitek throw ceremonial 1st pitches

Published Apr. 13, 2012 4:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

Recently retired Red Sox teammates Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek have thrown out ceremonial first pitches at Boston's home opener.

Both announced their retirements during spring training. Wakefield tossed his knuckleball for the Red Sox for 17 seasons and Varitek spent the last 14 years with them as a catcher.

They received ovations at Fenway Park on Friday when they emerged from behind a huge American flag draped in front of the left-field wall and headed for the pitcher's mound. Two former Red Sox outfielders caught their pitches - Dwight Evans from Wakefield and Jim Rice from Varitek.

Wakefield, who began his career with Pittsburgh, was 200-180 with a 4.41 ERA in 627 games with both teams. Varitek batted .256 with 193 homers and 757 RBIs, all with Boston.