BOSTON –– Tim Wakefield has never been an All-Star, but it looks like this could be his year.

The 17-year pro has spent 15 seasons with the Boston Red Sox and has become the model of consistency since the 2003 season. The veteran knuckleballer will make his 16th start of 2009 when he faces the Seattle Mariners Friday night at Fenway Park. Once that start becomes official, Wakefield will become Boston’s all-time leader in starts (383), surpassing Roger Clemens.

Wakefield, 42, already has a 10-3 record with a 4.18 ERA this season. Win or lose Friday night, he should be a strong candidate to be voted onto the American League All-Star team by his peers before the official announcement is made on Sunday.

 Occasionally this season he has mentioned that it would be an honor to represent the Red Sox, the American League, and himself at the annual midsummer classic. His manager, teammates and Red Sox Nation think so, too.

“To him I’m sure it will be very meaningful,” said Terry Francona. “I don’t know if there’s a person out there that it wouldn’t be. Guys really do take it [as an honor]. Living through it a couple of times as a manager, I was really impressed how guys feel about being on the team. . . What Wake has put into it, sure, it would be great. If there’s ever a year he deserves it, it’s now.”

Wakefield has done a lot of things during his career in Boston. He’s mostly been a starter, but has worked out of the bullpen, too. He’s won two World Series. Wakefield has enjoyed success. He’s dealt with failure and health issues.

There’s no question he’s been at his best in 2009, despite pitching with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

“He’s been extremely consistent from his first start of the season,” said Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. “What he’s been able to do is avoid the big inning, and he’s been able to get a strikeout in a key situation. He’s been able to be efficient with his pitch count and by working deeper into games has saved our bullpen when it has been taxed.”

As much as baseball is a game of personal achievements, the Red Sox over the last few years have put the club first and that has translated into victories. Wakefield is no different. Sure he would like to be an All-Star, but he would rather help the Red Sox win another championship.

“When you look at the win/lose record and his ERA and what he’s done for our team, yeah, he’s been an All-Star for us — there’s no question about it,” said Farrell.

The last pitch Wakefield threw before Francona came to Boston was Aaron Boone’s walk-off homer in the 11th inning against the Yankees in Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS. So Francona didn’t know what to expect from Wakefield when he took over as manager in 2004, especially with his specialty pitch.

“I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but he’s hard [to manage],” said Francona. “You have to put your seatbelt on, sit there and be patient because there are going to be wild pitches, passed balls, stolen bases and then you look up in the seventh inning and he’s probably ahead.”

His most impressive start for the Red Sox this season came on April 15 at Oakland. The previous night Daisuke Matsuzaka lasted only one inning, so the Sox’ bullpen needed to pick up the slack and completely blew itself out. Wakefield pitched a complete game and was five outs away from a no-hitter.

More importantly, it put a halt to the Red Sox’ poor start — they were 2-6 and in last place, four games out of first prior to Wakefield’s gem — and sparked an 11-game winning streak that moved them in the A.L. East lead.

It’s those types of performances that have made him a key contributor to the rotation.

“He’s one of the most consistent starters in the league with an inconsistent pitch,” said Francona. “I don’t know how he does it, but he’s good. The best way to see him not be good is by being impatient. I really respect him. We communicate really good. He communicates with me really well. He’s been a tremendous pitcher for us.”

 The All-Star rosters are loaded with the best baseball players in the world.

This could be Wakefield’s year.