Schilling Shared Wakefield Diagnosis Without Permission: Red Sox

This story was updated at 12:53 p.m. on Sept. 28.

BOSTON, MA — Few baseball careers are as unique as Tim Wakefield's, the Boston Red Sox legend who stepped to the rubber with two pitches below 90 mph and still compiled 200 wins in a career that spanned nearly two decades.

Now, the baseball community is rallying behind the knuckleballer after news of a recent medical diagnosis.

Wakefield, 57, who pitched for the Red Sox from 1995-2011, has been diagnosed with brain cancer. His former teammate, Curt Schilling, announced the diagnosis on his podcast this week.

"Recently, Tim was diagnosed with a very serious, very aggressive form of brain cancer," Schilling said, according to Sports Illustrated's The Spun website.

The Boston Red Sox released a statement on Thursday sharing that Schilling revealed the news on his podcast without the Wakefield family's permission.

"We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield," Red Sox brass said. "Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission. Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease. Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time."

Wakefield was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and began his career with the Bucs in the 1992-1993.

He joined the Red Sox in 1995 and toed the rubber at Fenway until the end of the 2011 season. Overall, Wakefield finished his career with a 200-180 won-lost record and a 4.41 earned run average.

Wakefield was an All-Star at the age of 42 in 2009, and won two World Series titles with the Red Sox, including the curse-busting 2004 World Series.

With reporting from Eric Heyl.