Others who have worn the Red Sox uniform over the last couple of years might have been in New York talking to doctors, hair stylists, and people in pinstripes, but stalwart Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield used yesterday afternoon to visit two local hospitals for children.

First, Wakefield and his wife, Stacy , made a surprise visit to the Franciscan Hospital for Children, where they brought an oversize red stocking full of Red Sox hats, autographed photos, $100 gift cards from Toys "R" Us, and a check for $15,100. Later, the Wakefields gave a check for the same amount to the Jimmy Fund Clinic. And that number's not a coincidence.

Last April, the knuckleballer pledged that he would make a donation to both medical facilities, which specialize in treating children, for every strikeout of the 2005 season. (Wakefield struck out 151 batters.) At the Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Wakefields brought hats for the kids fighting cancer, gift certificates to Toys "R" Us, and lots of cheer.

At one point, Wakefield got on a cellphone to chat with a young patient's sister. "Yes, this is me," Wakefield assured the disbelieving person on the other end of the line.