Jason Varitek
Varitek's charity event a hole-in-one
June 29, 2007 | MLB.com | By Mike Shalin
Red Sox captain hosts second annual event for good cause
MEDFORD, Mass. -- Some 12 hours after getting back from Seattle, several members of the Red Sox surrendered what was left of their day off by joining their captain and other faces from the Boston sports scene on Thursday night at the second annual Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt indoor fundraiser.
The event, held indoors at a local hockey rink amid sweltering conditions, raised money for Boston Children's Hospital and Celebrity for Charity Foundation.
"It's a great opportunity for us to gather and get this done," Varitek told a packed house, kept a bit more comfortable by fans scattered throughout a building normally known for being too cold. "I'm really thrilled they've opened up their city to us two years in a row."
The Red Sox lost their third straight game to the Mariners in 11 innings Wednesday afternoon, then boarded the long flight home for a day off before Friday night's series opener against Texas.
Varitek was joined by teammates Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Timlin, Javy Lopez, Eric Hinske and Alex Cora for the start of the event and Doug Mirabelli was expected. Team chairman Tom Werner was spotted and president/CEO Larry Lucchino was said to be in the building.
In addition, former Bruins great Raymond Bourque headed a list of hockey names that included Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and former NHLers Scott Young and Bob Sweeney. Local product Shawn Bates, who plays for the New York Islanders, wasn't introduced as a celebrity, but was reportedly one of the people who paid to take part in the golfing (some paid to golf, others paid to watch). Former Patriots lineman Max Lane was also on hand.
Former Bruins goalie Cleon Daskalakis, the head of the Celebrity for Charity Foundation, organized the event, which included an impressive silent auction and raffle.
Celebrities were stationed at various holes as hosts, as the floor of the hockey rink was transformed into a miniature golf course.
"It just gives the opportunity, with the help of the community and the support of my teammates to give a little something back," Varitek said. "I know a lot of people and a lot of friends who have gone through health issues with their children or them personally.
"It's all about lives and living life. If it can change research or just change a child's life and give them the support and the confidence or sometimes just a smile just to help them go on."
"It's awesome," said Bourque. "It's a fun time. I was here last year too. I got to know Jason a little bit through Banknorth; I did some stuff with him, a couple of commercials and different ads -- just [here to] support him like a lot of us do, support each other. There's a lot of great causes out there and this is a good one."
With the evening wearing on, an autographed Daisuke Matsuzaka jersey was up to $650 on the auction tables. Among the other items, Timlin had bid $300 on a luxury box for four to a John Mayer concert, while a Manny Ramirez ball had a bid of $350. Other signed balls that garnered bids: Matsuzaka ($300), Beckett and Papelbon ($250 each), Curt Schiling ($225) and David Ortiz and Pedroia ($200 each). A framed autographed photo of Tom Brady was up to $250.