Jason Varitek

Ortiz and Jason Varitek make up the heart and soul of this team and what they bring to the table cannot be measured in any concrete terms, but it is undeniable to all who wear the uniform. Varitek was lost to injury during the final month of the 2006 season and that team completely collapsed down the stretch. Could it be possible that without Ortiz, the jolly big man with an even bigger smile who keeps everyone in the clubhouse loose, this team could face similar problems?

Continue reading "Injury to Ortiz is Bad News for Boston"

But the hidden story here, as it often is, lurks behind the plate, in the person of team captain Jason Varitek, only the fourth player ever to receive that honor. Better known for his work at the plate and in the clubhouse than behind it, Varitek has caught no-hitters from Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz and, now, Jon Lester's. He's the first catcher in major league history to catch four no-hitters, and that's no coincidence.

Continue reading "No-no? Yes Yes!"

rms, especially in the bullpen, but they also need a young catcher to develop to eventually replace Jason Varitek, who is certainly not getting any younger. However, there does not appear to be any rush to trade Crisp and Theo Epstein seems content to wait for the right deal to come along, and it certainly will as one of these teams will eventually become desperate for a proven centerfielder. Will that happen before the Red Sox break camp or will they wait until during the season and they get a better sense of their pitching situation?

Continue reading "Boston Red Sox Spring Training Stories To Follow"