Wakefield returned the salute.

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Wakefield, effective against the Yankees in the AL Championship Series in three relief appearances, was moved by Torre's gesture.

"It means a lot that Joe would actually mention my name in his interview when they were packing up," said Wakefield, Boston's starter Saturday night against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the 100th World Series.

"I have a lot of respect for that man. I've played against him for a long time and watched him win a lot of championships. For him to say something that nice about me really shows how passionate he is for not only the game, but for other players on other teams."

There are several factors why the Red Sox named Wakefield, beginning with Curt Schilling's injury that forced him to be pushed back to Game 6 in the ALCS, and using Pedro Martinez in the National League park where he has some familiarity. The draining ALCS also disrupted their rotation by forcing Bronson Arroyo to work in relief.

Boston manager Terry Francona said Wakefield helped preserve the bullpen in the Game 3 blowout, which translated into fresher arms that made victories in Game 4 and 5 possible.

The weather could come into play with Wakefield's knuckleball. A perfect knuckleball has no spin, but cold and rainy weather impacts the grip, which causes it to spin and act like a batting practice fastball - only slower.

"As long as it's not raining too bad, it should be OK," Wakefield said. "It's tough holding onto the ball when it could be cold. But, I think it's going to be tough conditions for both pitchers."

Cardinals start Williams

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said Woody Williams would start Game 1, and while the rotation will include Jason Marquis, Jeff Suppan and Matt Morris as before, he is undecided as to the order.

"With the win and the celebration and getting packed, the architect of our pitching (pitching coach Dave Duncan), has not told me how we are going to pitch," La Russa said. "We still have some decisions to make."

The DH dilemma

As it is every year in the World Series, the designated hitter becomes an issue because it forces a regular bat out of the American League team's lineup.

In this case, the Red Sox will play designated hitter David Ortiz at first base, which forces them to sit Kevin Millar.

"I don't need to come in here my first time being involved in something like this and demand the rules change. That's a little silly," Francona said. "But, realistically, it does put us at a disadvantage when we go to St. Louis. We're not sending out team out on the field."

La Russa has not named his designated hitter, but admits the rule favors the National League.

"It's a lot easier for us to add a hitter," La Russa said. "And, then you get in our park, the pitcher is involved in the game and that's not easy for him."

By the numbers

Boston is 10-11 all-time in postseason openers. ... The American League leads the World Series 58-41, with the Yankees winning 26 of them. ... St. Louis has lost six straight World Series road games and nine of their last 12. ... The Red Sox are the sixth World Series participant as a wild card. ... The team with the home team advantage has won 15 of the last 18 times. ... Tonight's game will be the 37th World Series game played in the city of Boston, fourth behind New York (188), St. Louis (50) and Chicago 40). ... In each of the Cardinals' last seven times they have appeared in the World Series, it has gone the distance.

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