Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield relied on catcher Doug Mirabelli in 2004

Back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli was the perfect team player for the Red Sox, doing anything needed -- even welcoming ceremonial first pitch participants in 2002. By U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Joe Burgess. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli was the perfect team player for the Red Sox, doing anything needed — even welcoming ceremonial first-pitch participants to Fenway Park in 2002. By U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Joe Burgess. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

If baseball was basketball, stats might credit back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli with 12 assists for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield’s dozen wins in 2004.

As “Wake’s” personal catcher with over-sized mitt, he gave the hurler the perfect defensive partner

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