I am NOT Jason Varitek. This is a fan MySpace and is in no way affiliated with Jason Varitek or his representatives. For more information, news and photos on Jason, visit my main site at Jason Varitek An Unofficial Site
If you have any questions, please [ e-mail me (Erin) ].Tek-nically Speaking:
"I am aware these could be my last home games here, and I don’t want to take them for granted. That’s as far as I can take it right now. I don’t want to take any of this for granted, particularly the excitement of playing here." -- Jason Varitek, on his pending free agency at the end of this season, Projo.com, (September 3rd).
September, 2008
"The Sox are 705-467 (.602) in games Varitek starts at catcher and 255-302 (.458) when somebody other than Varitek is the catcher. Some of that is because Boston has had Wakefield-only catchers for the past several years, but through the weight of 11 years worth of games, the difference in Boston’s record when Varitek catches and when he doesn’t is extraordinary." -- Sportswriter Bill Ballou, in his column for the Worcester Telegram (September 29th).
"It’s really beneficial to the Red Sox pitching staff to be able to think about execution and never think about theory. When you’ve got a 'virtual computer' in Jason Varitek behind the plate calling games, you turn everything over to him and all you think about is executing that pitch." -- MLB game announcer Buck Martinez, on the importance of catcher Jason Varitek to the Red Sox, during the third game of the Toronto series (September 21st).
"So if this is it -- and it might be -- get a good look at what we've been taking for granted these last 11 years. It's hard to remember any Red Sox player who engendered as much public respect from his teammates as Jason Varitek, and, with the exception of Carlton Fisk, no Red Sox catcher in history ever produced as consistently and as well for as long a period of time.
Remember not the figure who struggled to put his bat on the ball for much of June and July this year. Remember instead a man who, as much as anybody, symbolized the return of the Red Sox as one of baseball's true powerhouses." -- Sports Journalist Art Matone, Providence Journal, (September 19th).
From His Pitchers -
"I knew he was a good catcher, but he is a great receiver. He blocks the ball as well as anybody. What he brings behind the plate, the knowledge he has of hitters, I've had a blast working with him." -- Paul Byrd, starting pitcher for the Red Sox, talks about his second start working with Jason Varitek (August 22nd).
"Tek is the most prepared baseball player I have ever been around. He's great because he comes up to you before your start and says, 'Hey, you want to go over these guys?'. He's very outspoken on what he thinks works with these guys (batters), and he's very knowledgable about it because he does the legwork". -- Josh Beckett, from an interview for Major League Baseball (after the 2007 World Series).
From His Other Teammates -
"He (Lester) did a good job. With 'Tek back there calling the game, they're a good combination, and when you have the captain back there you have a good chance of winning." -- Coco Crisp during an on-the-field interview after the Sox win over the Blue Jays (September 14, 2008).
"He's been great. He's a great person and a great leader, and he is very important to this baseball club. I try not to get in his way too much and try not to bother him. When I have a chance, I ask him a lot of questions. He's been great with that." -- Catcher George Kottaras, after making his major league debut with the Sox (September 13, 2008).
From His Manager -
"When we were on the field after the [clinching] game the other night, he put his head on my shoulder and cried like a baby. He had willed everybody to be so good. I think that's why I'm so calm. I know he's in charge. It's his team." -- Manager Terry Francona talking about Jason Varitek, from an article first published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (November 2, 2007).
From His Coaches -
"I don't know that we can measure the effect Varitek has had on this pitching staff because it has been immense. His ability (is) to not only execute a game plan that we've devised through scouting reports, through our own personal history or through the many other avenues available to us, but to also tailor it within the game depending on what's working effectively for a pitcher that night. He's the most valuable member of our pitching staff." -- Pitching coach John Farrell, during an interview with NESN (September, 2007).
"I've been very fortunate to work with some of the best guys that ever squatted in the game in 30 years, and he's right at the top of the list, if not the top, because of what he brings to the game.
No. 1, mentally, his retention skills, his work ethic, his leadership skills and just his passion for wanting to be a better player at age 35, and he will be a better player this year than he was last year and that's all because he's willed himself to do it." -- Bullpen Coach and catching instructor Gary Tuck, from an interview with MLB's Mike Petraglia (February 27, 2008).
From Major League General Managers -
"If I could take Varitek and put him on another planet, I would." -- Yankees GM Brian Cashman during a speaking engagement at William Paterson University in New Jersey in January, 2008.
From Major League Managers -
"He's a bulldog! I wouldn't want to mess with the guy. He's big-time old-school. He'll hurt you. He's a throwback player. And there just aren't many out there like him. Players like him just don't come around often." -- John McLaren, manager of the Seattle Mariners in an interview on June 6, 2008.
"I walked up to Varitek and said, 'You don't know who I am but I know who you are. I see the way you carry yourself, I see the way you conduct yourself...' I mean I watch this guy block every pitch, I watch him throw in between innings down to second base - that's what this game needs, it needs people to have respect and play the game the right way!" -- Orioles manager Dave Trembley during MASN's broadcast of the Red Sox @ Orioles game on May 14, 2008.
From Major League Players
"He's a good pitcher, but I have to give credit to Jason Varitek. You can have a good pitcher, but you need a good catcher to make it complete, and that's what Varitek does." -- Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora, when asked about Daisuke Matsuzaka during a dugout game-time interview with MASN announcers.
"You never want to see a no-hitter go against you like that, but, unfortunately, that situation happened.I give a lot of credit to the pitcher, but most of the credit I give to Jason Varitek. He one of the smartest guys, the smartest catcher. He's the one that got that pitching staff going that way about [its] business.
"You want to guess and you're looking for a pitch, it's like Jason is reading your mind. And the pitchers listen to him about the pitch he wants in a certain situation. You think, 'OK, I'm going to take a pitch,' and here you go, he comes with a strike there; and you want to swing, he comes with a breaking pitch. He's a big value to this team, and they should be proud of what they have there. He's a special guy. That's a lot of work to do to be a catcher. It's not just catching the ball and throwing it back to the pitcher.
"You've got to be pretty smart and know the situation and, from what I understand, he's a big student of the game. He studies every hitter and he gets in your head. He's pretty special." -- Royals left fielder Jose Guillen during a post-game interview after Jon Lester's no-hitter on May 19, 2008.
October 7, 2008 - ALDS Game 4: WHAT CONTROVERSY?
Pinch runner Reggie Willits of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is tagged out by Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox during game four of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 6, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts.
October 1, 2008 - ALDS Game 1: Jason Varitek threw out Gary Matthews Jr. after fielding the ball in front of home plate during the second inning.
October 1, 2008 - ALDS Game 1: Jason Varitek lays down a bunt to move Jed Lowrie to second in the ninth. Lowrie would score on Jacoby Ellsbury's single to right.
September 29, 2008 - The team captain, Jason Varitek participated in Monday's optional team workout at Fenway.
(It appears the playoff beard is "back in fashion"!)
September 29, 2008 - Jason smiles with teammates as an emotional Pesky addressed the crowd during the ceremony to retire his jersey number.
Pesky made the team and the crowd laugh when he said, "We've had some great ballplayers around here, and you received them with affection. Of course, the years that we played we had Ted, Bobbie, and those guys. You were very good to us. We got a new group of guys now - we got Varitek, we got...(long pause) all those young guys...(laughs) I can't remember their names (laughs again). At my age, I am lucky to remember my own name!"
September 23, 2008 - Jason thanks the fans as he walks along the edge of the stands after the Red Sox clinched a playoff spot with their 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians.
September 15, 2008 - Jason hits home run number 13 of the season, a 2-run bomb off Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir in the 4th inning at Tropicana Field. The home run also marked his 158th career home run as a Red Sox catcher, the most all time, surpassing HOF'er Carlton Fisk.
September 8, 2008 - ALMOST! Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena gets the throw just in time to get Boston Red Sox's Jason Varitek out at first during the fifth inning at Fenway Park in Boston, Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.
September 1, 2008 - Jason Varitek is congratulated as he enters the dugout after his 12th home run of the season against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning at Fenway Park on September 1, 2008. Varitek's blast was his 157th career homer with the Red Sox while playing catcher, tying him with Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk.
August 29, 2008 - Jason Varitek runs past a beach ball that was thrown onto the field at Fenway Park by a fan after the top of the 5th inning. Red Sox won the game 8-0 against the visiting White Sox.
August 27, 2008 - Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox waits on second base during a pitching change against the New York Yankees on August 27, 2008 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 11-3.
August 24, 2008 - Jason Varitek gives Jed Lowrie a pat on the head after his go-ahead solo home run during the 11th inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. Boston won 6-5.
August 19, 2008 - Jason Varitek hits his second solo home run of the series against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning.
August 18, 2008 - Jason Varitek follows the flight of his solo home run (number 9)off of Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in the second inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland
Jason is congratulated by third base coach DeMarlo Hale after his home run.
August 14, 2008 -
During a post-game interview after the Sox 10-0 victory over the Texas Rangers, Jason can't contain his laughter during a question from a reporter (who also started to laugh) on what he said to Dice-K during two different mound visits that made the pitcher start laughing:
"The first time I don’t know what happened. He was trying to tell me something and I have no clue what actually happened! The next time I realized he had the signs mixed up. I think that’s what he was trying to tell me the first time. It continued to happen. We’re lucky it didn’t result in balls flying to the backstop."
July 27, 2008 - Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees slaps a late tag on Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. Varitek hit a double that scored Manny Ramirez in the 3rd inning.
July 21, 2008 - Jason hits a two-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning
July 21, 2008 - Jason Varitek rounds the bases after his 2-run homer in the 5th inning to put the Sox on the board against the Seattle Mariners. The Red Sox won, 4-0.
July 15, 2008 - All-Star coach Dave Magadan and catcher Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox watch batting practice prior to the 79th MLB All-Star Game.
July 14, 2008 - Screen captures of Jason and his daughter, Alexandra, enjoying the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium.
Although it appears that Alexandra is enjoying her ice cream far more than Lance Berkman's home runs! lol
July 9, 2008 - Jason says, "NO TRIPLE PLAY" - Wild play during the Red Sox seven run seventh inning, as Jason Varitek hit a shot to center field that the Twins Denard Span came in on, but couldn't make the play, but he sold it well, and one umpire ruled it a catch. The umpires original call elicited a reaction of disbelief from Jason Varitek. After the Red Sox protested, the umpires conferred and reversed the call, calling it a "no catch", giving Varitek an RBI single.
July 6, 2008 - Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox warms up during batting practice before playing the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
July 4, 2008 - CAPTAIN AMERICA! Once again, Jason and All-Star Sports Equipment teamed up to make this special Fourth of July gear that will be auctioned off on MLB.com with all proceeds going to Jason's favorite charity, Children's Hospital Boston.
July 3, 2008 - Jason connects for a RBI base hit in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees on July 3, 2008 at Yankee Stadium. Final Score: Red Sox 7, Yankees 0.
EASY TO LOVE. HARD TO LEAVE.
Photos from the 2008 Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt Putt Tournament. To see more, check the gallery on my main site at Jason Varitek An Unofficial Site !
New Photos from Kelly O'Connor! To see more from her collection, check the gallery on my main site at Jason Varitek An Unofficial Site !
June 24, 2008: Jason Varitek hits an RBI single to put the Red Sox ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of their interleague League MLB baseball game at Fenway Park.
Final Score: Red Sox 5, Diamondbacks 4.
June 22, 2008: Jason Varitek holds onto the ball after St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Duncan tried to bowl him over at home plate during the 13th inning of Boston's 5-3 win in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Sunday, June 22, 2008. Duncan was out on the play.
June 20, 2008: A great photo by fan Joanna Hicks of Jason shaking hands with the Celtics Ray Allen after attempting to catch a wild Ceremonial First Pitch by Celtics Captain Paul Pierce.
May 19, 2008: Jason Varitek lifts pitcher Jon Lester in the air after Lester threw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts May 19, 2008. Jason is the only catcher in Major League history to catch four no-hitters. He previously caught the no-no's of Hideo Nomo's in 2001, Derek Lowe's in 2002 and Clay Buchholz's in 2007. The next day, his catching equipment was sent to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
May 19, 2008: Jason is congratulated by J.D. Drew after hitting a home run (his fifth of the season) against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park.
May 15, 2008: Jason ("Captain's Cabernet"), Kevin Youkilis ("SauvignYoouuk Blanc") and David Ortiz ("Vintage Papi") pose with their respective wines at the EAC Club at Fenway Park on Thursday.
Jason in a retro-poster look ad for Nike in MLB's Opening Day catalog - the tag line: "When you're the genuine article, it shows in what you do and what you wear."
The Official Photo!
The Captain.