Ask The Captain

June 26, 2008 | Boston Globe| By Jason Varitek





Jason Varitek answered your questions in a special "Ask the Captain" mailbag in the Boston Globe.




Q: The whole protocol for handling popups around the plate, what's the basic rule for who handles the ball?

Jason: As a catcher you try to be in position to catch every ball until called off.


Q: How do you communicate with Daisuke Matsuzaka when you visit him on the mound during a game?

Jason: We usually talk about the basics when I go to the mound, pitch selection, signs and sometimes nothing besides to give a physical and mental time out.


Q: Jason, What do you do differently on the days when you are not in the starting line-up?

Jason: It is usually a recovery day where I try to get some deep tissue work after I get my maintenance lift done.


Q: Do you plan on coaching when your playing days are over?

Jason: I do not know yet.


Q: Is your catcher's glove custom made or has it been altered for your preference?

Jason: It is not, everyone alters the gloves to their own preference.


Q: Whose decision was it to wear the camouflaged chest protector on Memorial Day? I'm deployed to Iraq right now and I thought it was a pretty classy gesture.

Jason: Original idea came from Stan Jurga the owner of All-Star who makes my catcher's gear. The original idea was for Mother's Day and expanded to other days.


Q: Having caught so many no-hitters in your career, can you give us an idea of what goes through your mind in the late innings as the possibility of another no-no looms nearer?

Jason: There are a lot of thoughts that go through my mind but the most important is to be aggressive with that pitcher's strength's that are shown at that point.


Q: I was wondering what you could tell us about your workouts during the season. How much actual weight training, cardio, etc. can you do?

Jason: My whole workouts drastically change when the season starts to maintenance work due to my work load. I workout about 2 times every 7-10 days.


Q: How many times would you say Jon Lester shook off your signs in his no-hitter?

Jason: He shook off about a half a dozen times or so. I want my pitcher's to be committed to what they are throwing so shaking off is encouraged.