12/21/24
February 27, 2012
Red Sox Catcher Jason Varitek to Retire: Longtime Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, 39, will announce Tuesday that he's retiring from baseball, the Boston media is reporting. Varitek, who holds a team record by playing 1,488 games at catcher and was captain the past seven years, came to camp in Fort Myers, Fl., on a minor league contract but was considered unlikely to make the team, according to the Boston Herald. With the recent retirement of pitcher Tim Wakefield and Varitek's departure, the last two players on the team from the 2004 World Series champions are David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis.
Varitek had what should be considered a unique career. In his prime he was a feared hitter, superb handler of pitchers, and someone you never wanted to have angry with you. Many Red Sox fans would include a thank you in their prayers for Woody Woodward, the Seattle GM who traded Varitek and Derek Lowe for Heathcliff Slocumb. Had a similar deal been made on the stock exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission would have put someone in jail for it. Varitek caught 4 no-hitters and is the only player to have played in the Little League World Series, the College World Series, the Olympics, and the World Series. Hall of Fame? Hardly, but still a standout for the Hall of Pretty Damn Good.
posted by Howard_T at 09:08 PM on February 27, 2012
posted by yerfatma at 02:16 PM on February 29, 2012
I've not always had nice things to say about Pedro, but that was classy.
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:13 PM on February 29, 2012
Really? One of my favorite athletes of all-time, on and off the field.
posted by yerfatma at 05:12 PM on February 29, 2012
I can't justify this in any rational way, but he's always rubbed me the wrong way, even when he was on the Red Sox. Its entirely irrational.
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:38 PM on February 29, 2012
Wakefield and Varitek gone ... end of an era, for sure.
Both were gritty heart and soul overachievers who got tougher in big situations.
Hope the Sox have some idea who the new team leaders will be.