Red Sox honor Wakefield

Tim Wakefield got to throw one more knuckleball at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox honored Wakefield on Tuesday afternoon with a ceremony before Boston’s game against Seattle. He wiped away a few tears during all the accolades for both his 17 seasons of pitching and his charitable work, which earned him the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010.

Boston brought in former catcher Doug Mirabelli to catch the ceremonial first pitch, which was a knuckler that floated to the right of home plate.

Wakefield thanked the fans, saying he will always remember the ovations he received in nearly two decades of pitching for Boston. Only Carl Yastrzemski (23), Dwight Evans (19) and Ted Williams (19) played more seasons for the Red Sox than Wakefield.

Ramirez returns

The Sacramento River Cats’ latest post on Facebook: “It’s Manny Time.”

Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez is scheduled to begin a 10-game minor league stint with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday in Albuquerque, N.M., and the club is already preparing special ticket packages for his home games in Northern California.

Barring rainouts, the dreadlocked designated hitter and outfielder is eligible to be activated by the Oakland Athletics from his 50-game suspension on May 30, his 40th birthday.

Clearing the bases

Major League Baseball is finally getting around to announcing the New York Mets will host the 2013 All-Star game at Citi Field. MLB scheduled a news conference today at City Hall with baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, Mets owner Fred Wilpon and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Mets last hosted the All-Stars in 1964, the year Shea Stadium opened. … The New York Yankees placed reliever David Roberston on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his left ribcage. … The Los Angeles Angels fired hitting coach Mickey Hatcher after their dismal offensive start.