Jason Varitek, Terry Francona Get the Ol' Heave Ho

May 29, 2009 | Boston Herald | By Michael Silverman



Catcher Jason Varitek sent word after yesterday’s 3-1 Red Sox victory that he did not want to speak.


“I need a timeout, I may say something I might regret,” said Varitek, who was a central character in both the outcome - he hit two solo home runs for the tying and go-ahead runs - and a dust-up with home plate umpire Todd Tichenor.


Tichenor, a minor league fill-in, ejected Varitek in the seventh inning when the catcher stood up after a Josh Beckett pitch to Brendan Harris was called a ball. Beckett was disgusted with the call and expressed his feelings toward Tichenor, which prompted Varitek’s response. He must have channeled Beckett’s feelings precisely because Tichenor ejected him. That brought out manager Terry Francona, who quickly got the hook.


“I know Beckett yelled in but Tek is protecting Beckett and I’m protecting Tek,” said Francona. “He got Tek, and that’s what I didn’t want to have happen, but I’m not fast enough to get out there in time.


“I’d rather have him throw me out than Tek. Tek’s going to have a hell of a lot more to do with the outcome than I am. Sometimes you have to state your opinion.”


In the top of the seventh, shortly after Varitek’s second home run, Jeff Bailey scored on a very close play at the plate on a sacrifice fly. Replays were inconclusive, but Twins catcher Mike Redmond was incensed. He was quickly ejected by Tichenor, which caused Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire to storm out of the dugout and give Tichenor enough grief that he got tossed, too.


Umpire crew chief Jeff Layne said Redmond did not bump Tichenor and that, “Varitek was trying to keep his pitcher in the game. Varitek took one for the team, basically. Terry Francona did his job, too.”


Layne had no beef with how Tichenor handled things.


“It was a difficult situation to be in as an umpire and I thought that Todd Tichenor did an extremely good job,” said Layne. “He handled it the way I like to see a person handle it. He didn’t let the game get out of control by not taking charge.”


Francona’s ejection was his 27th, 25th as a manager, and second time this season. Varitek’s ejection was his fourth.