His playing time’s diminished, but Varitek says he’s a fan of Victor Martinez

September 12, 2009 | Providence Journal | By Joe McDonald



BOSTON –– Jason Varitek knows the exact moment during the offseason when he can begin his winter workouts in preparation for spring training. When he can walk down a flight of stairs without feeling discomfort, it’s time to end his hibernation and get ready for some baseball.


His body is its own Punxsutawney Phil.


It’s not like the Red Sox catcher has a specific date circled on the calendar, because it changes every year.


“You need a point of recovery and let your body heal, but if I’m still really struggling physically I have to wait a little bit longer,” he said.


It’s a common occurrence for Varitek, a 13-year major-league player, to be covered in ice packs with only his head and toes showing. The 37-year-old averages 130 games per season, and the majority of his days off have usually come when knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield is on the mound.



Varitek’s body typically feels the toll in the second half of the season, but this summer has been a little different. That’s because the Red Sox acquired catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez from Cleveland at the trade deadline. His presence has allowed manager Terry Francona to give Varitek more days off of late, which has helped him strengthen and recover for the final push of the regular season and the postseason.


There’s been a lot of focus on the catching position in Boston given the fact Martinez has played so well, especially on offense. He’s also caught Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and Wakefield.


“He’s given us a huge bat right smack in the middle of the order, batting third every night,” said Francona. “He’s a switch-hitting presence and brings energy. All the things we’ve heard in Cleveland are proving out here. He’s been a good teammate and has worked with Jason. I think Jason deserves a lot of credit. He’s been very open with Victor.”


Having Martinez around has helped Varitek, too, the manager said.


“I think a lot,” said Francona. “He was pretty beat up. And he always plays and never says a word, but it’s been really good for him.”


Varitek acknowledges that having Martinez around has helped him physically.


“There’s a level where your body gets used to playing every day, so you have to keep the motor running to make sure I do enough things, especially for my catching joints,” said Varitek. “He’s been such a great addition to our team. We work well together and he’s brought a lot to this team.”


At the time of the trade it was only natural to wonder what Martinez’s presence would mean for Varitek’s future. It was clear the captain’s playing time would be affected, but he’s maintained the mind-set that the end result –– a chance to win another World Series –– is more important.


“I’m going to be there for him any way I can,” said Varitek. “I’ll teach him and let him know about our pitchers, signs or whatever we need to do. Team-wise you can look at what somebody can bring talent-wise to a team and understand what his bat can do, and has done, in this lineup. You’d hate to keep him as a pinch-hitter, but he’s pretty good at that, too.”


Varitek is a guy who would play every single game if he was allowed, but it’s almost impossible. Former Red Sox catcher and Hall of Famer Carlton Fiske once worked behind the plate for 154 games in 1978.


Varitek’s numbers have tended to fade late in a season, when his body is crippled and broken down. September is his worst month for career batting average (.228, compared with .260 for his career) on-base percentage (.314, compared with .345 for his career) and slugging percentage (.381, compared with .437 for his career).


During the first half of this season, Varitek hit .239 with a .348 on-base percentage, .478 slugging percentage, 13 homers and 38 RBI. Since the All-Star break –– with his playing time diminished since Martinez’s arrival –– Varitek has hit .170 with a .270 on-base percentage, .270 slugging percentage, one homer and 11 RBI.


Post All-Star game in 2008, Varitek started 50 games behind the plate. Since the break this summer, he’s started 29 with 21 games still remaining.


It’s almost certain the Red Sox will pick up the $7.5-million option on Martinez’s contract for the 2010 season. Varitek also has a club option. Talking offseason business, however, when a club is in the middle of a playoff race is not what anyone involved would like to do.


“That has to stop. It really does,” said Varitek. “That can go in a thousand different directions. We have to focus on what we have and what we have to do. We have a really big month ahead of us to keep that opportunity to get into the postseason.”


Martinez’s performance and presence off the field have been contributing factors for the Red Sox’ success, affecting more players than just Varitek. Backup catcher George Kottaras has become the odd-man out. He had been Wakefield’s personal batterymate all season until Martinez came on board.


“You deal with it by embracing it,” said Kottaras. “You take it for what it is. Whenever I get an opportunity, I have to embrace it and do my best and stay focused. I’ll continue to get my work in when I’m not playing and try to stay sharp.”

When he first heard of the trade, Kottaras understood the organization’s thinking. Theo Epstein and Francona both told him it was for the betterment of the club


“He’s a great player, a great bat,” Kottaras said of Martinez. “He’s a great all-around player.


Entering Friday’s game, Martinez had played a total of 36 games (21 starts as catcher) since arriving in Boston. The switch-hitter has compiled a .326 average with six homers and 28 RBI in a Red Sox uniform.


“I love Vic and so far it’s been a great back and forth,” said Varitek. “He helps me with my hitting and being able to watch him on a daily basis helps me, so it’s good.”