
The Captain will announce his retirement later in the week. So in the same month, the Red Sox have (predictably) lost Tim Wakefield and now Jason Varitek.
I know he had his faults (running at about the speed of molasses), but I am choosing to remember only the good, the “C” on his jersey and that it was there for five years for good reason. Tek’s ability to handle some big name pitchers, Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett come to mind, and call games is unparalleled. That he alone holds the record for most no-hitters caught is proof. I hope for the 2012 season, that Varitek’s work with pitchers and catchers that came up through the Red Sox system (Lester, Buchholz, Saltalamacchia, Shoppach…kind of) is lasting.
Tek, you’ll really be missed :(