The signing of Kelly Shoppach may (and we stress may) signal the end of Jason Varitek's career with the Boston Red Sox. If that does come to pass, it's going to be very hard to say "good-bye". If ever there was a Red Sox "lifer" in the last fifteen years, Varitek (along with his battery mate Tim Wakefield) was it. He will forever be remembered for his smack-down of the odious A-Fraud on July 24, 2004. The Sox trailed the Evil Ones by 9 1/2 games at that point in the season, and the incident was the spark that ultimately led to the first World Championship in 86 years. He will be remembered for his all-out effort to snare a pop foul that resulted in the shattering of his elbow. He will be remembered for catching four no-hitters (and would have had a fifth if he weren't shaken-off by Curt Schilling in Oakland). And he'll also be remembered for hitting .421 with 5 RBIs and 4 runs scored in his last five post-season games in 2007. Mostly, he will be viewed as the stalwart warrior with the "C" on his chest, ever proud to be part of the Boston Red Sox. We will miss you, Tek.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
If This Is It, Tek Deserves The Highest Praise
The signing of Kelly Shoppach may (and we stress may) signal the end of Jason Varitek's career with the Boston Red Sox. If that does come to pass, it's going to be very hard to say "good-bye". If ever there was a Red Sox "lifer" in the last fifteen years, Varitek (along with his battery mate Tim Wakefield) was it. He will forever be remembered for his smack-down of the odious A-Fraud on July 24, 2004. The Sox trailed the Evil Ones by 9 1/2 games at that point in the season, and the incident was the spark that ultimately led to the first World Championship in 86 years. He will be remembered for his all-out effort to snare a pop foul that resulted in the shattering of his elbow. He will be remembered for catching four no-hitters (and would have had a fifth if he weren't shaken-off by Curt Schilling in Oakland). And he'll also be remembered for hitting .421 with 5 RBIs and 4 runs scored in his last five post-season games in 2007. Mostly, he will be viewed as the stalwart warrior with the "C" on his chest, ever proud to be part of the Boston Red Sox. We will miss you, Tek.