There will be plenty of space used throughout the print world and blogosphere regarding the decision to re-sign Jason Varitek or pursue other options behind the plate. Eventually, those opinionated pieces will dominate the headlines and RSS feeds, and ultimately, the front office will make a decision, followed by an inevitable flood of second guessing and subjective journalism.
Before that storm hits the horizon, it seemed appropriate to present a preemptive look at the captain's most nostalgic moments with the team. Here are the top ten moments of Jason Varitek's career with the Boston Red Sox, presented by Fire Brand of the American League. Take advantage of the comments area to give us your personal ranking and moments that didn't make the list.
May 20, 2001 - Varitek hits Three HRs in one game
Jason filled the box score during a 10-3 win versus the Kansas City Royals. From the eight-spot in the lineup, Tek went a perfect 4-for-4 with three HRs, a single, seven RBI, and three runs scored. The game raised his average to .307 for the year. Unfortunately, he would appear in just over a dozen more games the rest of the year before breaking his elbow while making a catch that would be named the "Web Gem of the Month" for June.
When Varitek was injured, the Red Sox were in first place in their division at 34-24, 28-19 in games that he started, and won eight of their last 10 games. The team would finish barely above .500 at 82-79 and fire manager Jimy Williams near the end of the 2001 campaign.
Apr. 22, 2007 - Tek finishes off historic home-run streak
Championships are won in September and October, not April. However, there are a few April games every year and looking back set the tone for the rest of the 150+ games. Early in 2007, the Yankees were struggling, at 8-8, while the Red Sox were on a four-game winning streak and looking for a sweep to finish off the Bronx Bombers.
The Yankees had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth when Manny Ramirez went deep with the bases empty. Four pitches later, J.D. Drew hit another home run. Mike Lowell went yard next, and two pitches later, Tek hit the historic back-to-back-to-back-to-back home run to give the Red Sox a 4-3 lead in a game they would eventually win, sweeping away the Yankees on their way to a division title.
At the time, it was only the fourth time in baseball history the feat had been accomplished.
Apr. 4, 2001 - Hideo Nomo's no-hitter
In Nomo's first start wearing a Boston uniform, Tek called an efficient 105 pitch, complete game no-hitter. Nomo ended the game with 11 strikeouts to only three walks in the earliest no-hitter in the history of baseball and the first for the Boston Red Sox in 31 years.
The no-hitter electrified the Boston fans, who were still shocked by Nomar Garciaparra's Spring Training wrist injury. After the game, Nomo gave credit to Varitek, saying, through a translator, that all he had to do was concentrate on throwing strikes. He had confidence in the catcher to call the right pitches and locations in every situation.
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