Jason Varitek proves why he is Red Sox captain in win over Yankees

The duo of Jason Varitek and Josh Beckett was superb yet again, leading Boston past New York. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Through the years, Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has worn the illustrious “C” on his jersey, proclaiming him the well-deserved captain. There have been better hitters and better fielders on the team throughout his 14-year career in Boston, but he has been its heart and soul, its engine.

He brawled with the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez on July 24th, an event that turned Boston’s season around and ultimately led to the team’s first championship in 86 years. He was key for them before that incident, but that took his fame to new heights. I had a paper clipping of that fight taped on my school binder all year. It was a very big deal, and is one of those unforgettable memories.

He isn’t only known for that. He has collected big hits and has caught four no-hitters, the most in major league history. And, even in his declining years at age 39, he proved while he is still so valuable in leading the Red Sox to an exhilarating win over rival New York.

Baseball has always been a game revolving around the little things; moving runners over, defensive alignment, a quick first step, where the ball connects with the bat. It is a game of inches, a game of strategy, a game of luck, and a game full of intense competitors and perfectionists.

Of the many positions in this glorious game, catchers may have it the toughest, with so many thoughts running through their brain at every moment. They have to sit in an uncomfortable crouch for the longest time, call the game, put the right fingers down in the right situations, be acrobatic and agile, have incredibly quick reflexes, form a solid relationship with and trust the pitcher, and find a way to focus on hitting as well. Varitek has been able to do all of this, and his talent was on display tonight as Josh Beckett’s battery mate.

Varitek has played sparingly this season, logging only 57 games entering Wednesday’s contest due to his age and the emergence of the much younger Jared Saltalamacchia. He has been Beckett’s personal catcher, which is no different from years past, and there is a reason the 6’5″ right-hander is so much better with him behind the plate compared to others. They gel. The captain knows what fingers to put down when, and the big ace knows how to execute.

They did their jobs against New York. Fastballs and curveballs were mixed beautifully by Beckett, and their placement changed often. The Yankees bevy of talent was baffled by his stuff. Beckett allowed just one run through the first five innings, continuing his dominance over Boston’s enemy in an effort to secure his fourth victory against New York this season.

ESPN announcer Curt Schilling had a lot to say about a variety of subjects, including the possibility of this historic achievement, but his praise of Varitek stood out. He delved into his intelligence, his studious nature, and his ability to work with pitchers–how to improve in some areas and keep excelling in others. Schilling would know first-hand; after all, Varitek caught him consistently when the ace was in Beantown. Varitek is still everything Boston could ask for in a catcher.

He can not only still call a good game, but he can also make an impact with his bat. His offensive ability is not what it used to be, but you wouldn’t know by his performance this evening. After the Yankees scored four runs in the top of the sixth off Beckett to take a 5-4 lead, Varitek delivered with the game-changing hit in the bottom. Josh Reddick was on first after coaxing a walk out of Phil Hughes, but soon crossed home plate as Varitek hit a cue-shot right down the third-base line that bounded all the way to the wall.

The captain wasn’t done. The floodgates had officially opened when MVP candidate Jacoby Ellsbury socked his 24th homer of the season into the Green Monster seats later that inning, and Varitek only kept the cheers coming from the 38,000-plus filling Fenway Park in the eighth. Reddick reached before him once more, and would then score once more. Varitek launched a Boone Logan fastball into the Red Sox bullpen, making him 14-26 with six doubles and four homers when swinging at the first pitch. The game was broken open, 9-5, and Boston would cruise comfortably to their 11th win over the Yankees this season.

Ellsbury and Beckett stole the headlines, but Varitek was as key to the crucial victory as anyone. He not only orchestrated Beckett through five solid innings and plated three runs but also led the pitcher through the seventh following a tough sixth and a long wait. He just did his job, with an element of surprise at the plate mixed in with the norm behind it.

Recently, he discussed the art of catching, an art he has mastered:

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“It’s a day-to-day grind of just doing what you have to do that day to win. And then the further you get along in the season, you’re preparing or you’re communicating, you’re making adjustments with your pitchers of where you are or where you need to go. I think the basic goals are to win today and to prepare to win tomorrow and to get through and to learn and to see what goes on every day with the pitching staff, whether you’re playing or not.”

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Though the sun is setting on his career he still proves his worth. As any present and past teammate or coach will say, he remains the ideal catcher, with the ideal mindset as the ideal captain.

“What he does behind the plate, we’ve been saying for years,” manager Terry Francona said. “It’s nice when he chips in with some home runs like he’s been.” His offense certainly is uplifting, and, considering the talent that remains, this won’t be his last superb performance at or behind the plate for the streaking Red Sox.