"Tek Support" II

August 22, 2008 | NESN | By Eric Ortiz

 

Jason Varitek has played his entire 12-year career in Boston. When his four-year, $40 million contract expires after this season, there's no guarantee the Red Sox catcher will return for a 13th campaign. Here are 13 reasons why he should:


1. Leaders don't grow on trees. Trying to quantify leadership is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded with one arm tied behind your back. Save your energy. Not everything that matters in baseball shows up on the stat sheet.


2. Calling a great game requires skill. This season, the Red Sox are 56-38 when Varitek starts and pitchers have a 3.75 ERA when he's behind the dish. That's no coincidence. The 36-year-old is a model of consistency when it comes to preparation and diligence.


3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Only two AL catchers (Jeff Mathis and Kenji Johjima) had lower batting averages at the break than Varitek (.218), but that didn't stop fellow players from voting him onto the All-Star team. It just goes to show that Varitek probably would do pretty well on "Survivor."


4. He's baaaaack. When Varitek was having trouble hitting dead flies with a fly swatter in June, Red Sox Nation was ready to revolt. Now Varitek has hit home runs in back-to-back games. Don't be surprised if Tek goes on a tear down the stretch.


5. Clutch is as clutch does. Varitek won't ever be mistaken for Ted Williams, but once October rolls around, Tek knows know how to do some heavy lifting. In 53 postseason games, he has hit 10 home runs and accounted for 55 runs. Not bad for a career .263 hitter who averages 13 home runs a season.  


6. Learning about the opposition is fundamental. Whether it's devouring scouting reports, studying video of opposing hitters or reviewing strategy with Red Sox pitchers, Varitek is always looking for an edge. And he usually finds one.


7. Grind over matter. Imagine squatting on your knees for about an hour and a half every day for more than 100 days in the span of six months, while catching 100-150 balls traveling as fast as 95 miles an hour with movement. Sound like fun? Now multiply that by 12, and you have an idea what it feels like to be Varitek.


8. Red Sox for life. Some things just aren't right -- rainouts in August, dogs wearing clothes and Varitek calling any place but Fenway home. Spending a whole career with one team is rare nowadays, but it's hard to envision Varitek playing for anyone besides the Red Sox.


9. Every day is veteran's day. Terry Francona refused to lose confidence in Varitek, and his faith is being rewarded. There's a reason Francona is manager of the Red Sox, and everyone else just plays a skipper on TV -- he knows what he's doing.


10. 'C'—ing is believing. Varitek's ability to stay upbeat when things are going tough is a special talent. They don't call him the captain for nothing. When he talks, the clubhouse listens.


11. Meet a teacher named Experience. A player can acquire a lot of wisdom in 1,246 games in the Show -- the kind of wisdom that comes in handy when a youngster needs a little seasoning. 


12. Show us the hometown discount. Sure, baseball is a business. And Scott Boras is Varitek's agent. But there might just be a part of the catcher that says, "Boston is where I want to be. Make it happen." The price of loyalty is probably $7-8 million for two years.


13. We are the champions. Repeat ... and win a third World Series title this decade. The goal for the Red Sox hasn't changed. If they pull off the trifecta, the only way Varitek won't be back in Beantown come 2009 is if he retires.


*Eric Ortiz is the new media producer for NESN. He previously worked as an MLB editor at ESPN.com. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in English.