Tek

Another week, another iconic Red Sox player retires. On the heels of Tim Wakefield's retirement, Jason Varitek hangs up his catching gear after 15 seasons in Boston.

To say he's deserving of a TDZ Career Retrospective is an understatement. Check out his career highlights after the jump.


Winning Ways

Tek may never be remembered as one of baseball's all-time greatest catchers statistically, but you have to admit that he was a winner. He is one of only two players to reach the World Series in Little League, College, and the Majors. He also played for the U.S. in the 1992 Olympics.

The Brains

Tek always played the game with a steady, unassuming leadership. As the catcher, he had a heavy influence in directing the defensive aspects of the game, and of course he was responsible for managing the team's pitchers. His deep understanding of the team's staff and the opposing hitters made him one of the best pitch callers of all-time, leading to a Major League record 4 no-hitters caught over his career. In further recognition of his cunning, it's worth noting that different pitchers toed the rubber for each no-hitter.

• Hideo Nomo: 2001
• Derek Lowe: 2002
• Clay Buchholz: 2007
• Jon Lester: 2008

The Brawn

Clearly, Varitek was one of the brainiest catchers to ever squat behind home plate at Fenway, but he showed uncommon grit as well. No Red Sox fan will ever forget when he blasted Alex Rodriguez in the face. The blow was not just a pop in the jaw for one of baseball's most annoying players of all-time - it symbolized the unleashing of (86) years of frustration against the enemy that dashed their hopes for so many years. Babe Ruth, Bucky Dent, Aaron Boone - y'know what? BAM! Right in the kisser.

Great form here: two-handed - just like Captain Kirk taught us - and extra power from the blood boiling in his neck's arteries.

The Champion

Following the fracas with A-Rod, the Red Sox rolled with a new-found mojo. They came back to win that game 11-10, and followed that with the best record in the league for the remaining 2+ months of the regular season. Mentioning what happened in the postseason seems like stating the obvious, but the band of "Idiots" didn't realize they were supposed to lose to the Yankees after falling into a 0-3 hole in the ALCS. Everyone will remember the heroics of Dave Roberts and David Ortiz, but let's not forget that Jason Varitek played the equivalent of a triple-header due to the length of games 4 and 5 leading into game 6. He also had a crucial sac fly in game 5 just to keep the Red Sox alive to go into the extra frames.

The Cap'n

Varitek became just the fourth Captain of the Red Sox since 1923 following his re-signing with the club in 2005. His leadership and performance during the curse-eliminating 2004 campaign gave him a title shared with legends like Jimmie Foxx, Carl Yastrzemski, and Jim Rice. He went on to guide the team to a second World Series title in 2007.

7 short years later, David Ortiz is the only Idiot still on the team.

THE Catcher

I'd be remiss without mentioning some of the statistical feats he achieved over his many years manning home plate in Beantown. His Red Sox records:

• Most games caught - 1,488 (far eclipsing Carlton Fisk at 990)
• Most postseason games played
• Most postseason home runs for a catcher
• 3x All-Star
• Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award in 2005
• Only other Red Sox catchers to win a Gold Glove: Carlton Fisk and Tony Pena
• 193 (fat) homers, 11th all-time for the franchise
• Was the final home run in the team's epic back-to-back-to-back-to-back home run onslaught against the Yanks (April 22, 2007)

It was a great run, and I hope retirement treats him well, but I have a feeling he'll only have a short time to enjoy it. I'm loving Bobby V. so far, but you know Tek is going to get college and minor league gigs thrown at him.

*EDIT* The luster of Bobby V. has quickly and thoroughly worn off. Hire Tek immediately.