Varitek is a big hit behind the plate with Boston pitchers

October 4 , 2008 | The Providence Journal | By Jim Donaldson

 

ANAHEIM, Calif. — It would, of course, be wonderful if Jason Varitek had hit .320 this season, rather than .220.

But the fact is, whatever he hits is a bonus.


What makes him so important to the Red Sox is not how he’s hitting, but how he enables the Boston pitching staff to keep opposing batters from hitting.


What Varitek does at the plate is not as critical to the Sox’ success as what he does behind it.


“He has thick books on every hitter,” reliever Manny Delcarmen said.


“Whatever sign he puts down for me, 99.9 percent of the time that’s the pitch I throw. He knows the hitters better than I do, and his brain is hitting on all cylinders, all the time.”


“He’s helped me out tremendously, especially with the mental side of the game — learning how to pitch to hitters,” said rookie reliever Justin Masterson, who made his first postseason appearance in the eighth inning of Game One against the Angels on Wednesday night.


“He’s great, not just at knowing the hitters, but also at understanding what makes each pitcher go. He does a tremendous job behind the plate.”


That’s sometimes underappreciated because of his struggles at the plate this season.


But Angels manager Mike Scioscia knows just how valuable Varitek is to the Red Sox.


“People focus a lot on the offensive numbers,” Scioscia said, “and, if you’re not having a good year offensively, maybe you’re thought not to be contributing as much. But Jason Varitek has been a guy who has brought as much to that organization, and contributed maybe more than anybody, to what they’ve done in the last five or six years.


“I certainly appreciate what he does behind the plate. There’s no doubt in my mind about what he brings to that club. When you look at the defensive aspect of catching, not many guys bring it like Jason Varitek does.”


Veteran first baseman Sean Casey has seen a lot of catchers in his 11 years in the majors, having played in both leagues, for five teams. Varitek, he says, is the best.


“He’s a human wall behind the plate,” Casey said. “Nothing gets by him. As far as preparing for a game, he’s the best I’ve seen. The confidence he brings to our pitchers is invaluable.”


Just how valuable Varitek is to the Red Sox can be seen by the “C” he wears on his uniform as the team captain.


“It’s an honor the organization gave me,” Varitek said. “At first, I was a little uncomfortable with it, because I’m not one who likes to draw attention to myself. I do what I do, and I like what I do, and I don’t feel I have to be patted on the back for doing it.”


There has been much speculation recently whether Varitek would be back with Boston next season. He’s in the final year of a contract that’s paying him $10.4 million, and will be 37 in April. His .220 batting average this season was a career-low, and he hasn’t been a feared hitter for several years now, batting .255 last season after hitting just .238 in 2006.


His agent is the contentious Scott Boras, who’s reportedly determined to get Varitek a four-year deal. With quality catching in short supply, the Red Sox likely will have to overpay if they want to keep him.


Or perhaps they could get the pitchers to chip in to pay part of his salary.


“All the pitchers want him back,” Delcarmen said. “His work ethic is unbelievable. He’s the captain of the team. He’s the heart of the team.”


He’s the brains, too.


“I’ve learned from every manager and pitching coach I’ve had,” said Varitek, “and from a lot of pitchers, too. It’s fun to talk about the game and pass on what I’ve learned.”


Varitek handles each pitcher differently, not just during the games, but before them, as well.


“Some want to know about every little detail about each batter,” he said. “Others don’t want to know a whole lot. I just try to put them in situations where they’ll have the best chance to succeed.”


Varitek has not had the sort of success he’d like at the plate, batting .122 in the month of June, only .197 in July, and just .183 in September. Batting ninth in the ALDS opener against the Angels, he went 0-for-3, with a sacrifice bunt.


“I’ve had some horrible months,” he said. “But the fun thing about my job is that I can go 0-for-4, but, if we win, and our pitchers perform well, then I’ve done the most important part of my job.”