Varitek doing it all

October 24, 2007 | MLB.com | By Ian Browne

 

DENVER -- The accolades have come pouring in for a team that's on a roll and on the cusp of a second World Series championship in four seasons.


Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury have been the rookies with nerves of steel. Josh Beckett has been an October ace for the ages.


Fireballing closer Jonathan Papelbon never seems to give up a hit, let alone a run. David Ortiz continues to do his Big Papi thing, and Manny Ramirez is just Manny, a hitting machine.


In the background is the catcher and leader who does all the dirty work. Jason Varitek doesn't like to get noticed. What he likes to do is win. Varitek puts in taxing hours to help make that possible.


"A good catcher who prioritizes the pitching staff over his own offensive performance is a huge asset to the organization," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "He's like the command center of our operation in terms of run prevention. He takes all the information and is ultimately the one who puts down the right fingers. It's a great asset."


Varitek's work stretches from the meeting rooms to the video machines to the clubhouse to the dugout. And, yeah, he also saves some energy to be a switch-hitting threat at the plate.


"Having Jason is invaluable in the preparation process, the advance scouting process, in the flow of the game, helping guys get through potential landmines out there that exist against virtually every opponent we face," said Epstein. "It's a great feeling having 'Tek literally in those advance scouting meetings and seeing the give and take that he has with our advance scouts and coaching staff and front office. It's a reassuring feeling. He has a great baseball mind. It's always on."


If there's a word to describe what Varitek is to the Red Sox, "rock" would probably be the one.


"I think you always want your catcher to be indispensable until you find out the hard way," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona, referring to when Varitek had to undergo left knee surgery in August 2006. "He has a lot of responsibility. Sometimes you see him after games with those ice packs. I think he ought to maybe put one on his head, too, because you can tell he's worn out."