Jason Varitek

Infobox MLB player
name = Jason Varitek

---

width = 175
caption =
team = Boston Red Sox
number = 33
position = Catcher
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|4|11
birthplace = city-state|Rochester|Michigan
bats = Switch
throws = Right
debutdate = September 24
debutyear = 1997
debutteam = Boston Red Sox
statyear = 2008
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .263
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 161
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 654
teams =
*Boston Red Sox (by|1997-present)
awards =
*Silver Slugger Award winner (by|2005)
*3x All-Star selection (by|2003, by|2005, by|2008 )
*Gold Glove Award winner (by|2005)
*2x World Series Champion (by|2004) (by|2007)

Jason Andrew Varitek (pronEng|ˈvɛɹɨˌtɛk, born April 11 1972 in city-state|Rochester|Michigan) is an American baseball player. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox. A three-time all-star and Gold Glove Award winner at catcher, Varitek was an integral part of the 2004 World Series and 2007 World Series Championship teams. In by|2005, he was named the captain of the Red Sox, the fourth player given the honor. He is a switch-hitter. His nicknames include "The Captain" and "'Tek" (his chest protector has the monogram "TEK" on its collar). [ [http://static.flickr.com/68/161681622_d8fb50196e.jpg?v=0] ]

Varitek is one of only two players in the history of the sport to have played in the World Championship game of the Little League World Series, in the National Championship game of the College World Series, and in the Major League World Series (Ed Vosberg is the other). Varitek stands alone as the only baseball player in history to have played in the three aforementioned World Series along with playing on the Olympic Baseball team, and in the World Baseball Classic. As well, his Lake Brantley High School baseball team won the Florida State Championship his senior year in 1990 and was named the number one high school baseball team in the nation by a USA Today poll. [cite web|url=http://www.jason-varitek.com/biography.htm|title=Jason Varitek biography] Varitek has also caught a MLB-record four no-hitters.

Little League career

Varitek was born in city-state|Rochester|Michigan. He played in the 1984 Little League World Series, leading his city-state|Altamonte Springs|Florida team to victory in the United States Championship bracket in a 4-2 victory over Southport, Indiana. Yet, the national champions fell in the world championship game to the international champion from Seoul, South Korea, by a score of 6-2. [cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/littleleague/|title=Sporting News History of LLWS] Varitek played shortstop, third base, and catcher in his three LLWS games, performing well defensively, but was hitless going 0 for 7 with two walks and a run scored. [cite web|url=http://www.littleleague.org/media/jasonvsjason.asp|title=Jason vs. Jason: LLB World Series Participants Square Off in MLB World Series]

High school and college

While in high school, Varitek was a third baseman and catcher for the Lake Brantley High School baseball team in Altamonte Springs, FL. The Patriots' usual catcher was Jerry Thurston, himself a pro prospect. In 1990, the Patriots won the state championship. [cite web|url=http://www.fhsaa.org/records/rec_ba.pdf|title=History of Florida State Champions|format=PDF] He was also a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team and won the Dick Howser Trophy for National Collegiate Player of the Year. He was also named Baseball America's 1993 College Player of the Year; he appeared in 3 games for the U.S. team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

Varitek attended Georgia Tech, where he helped lead the Yellow Jackets baseball team to the 1994 College World Series championships, along with teammates Nomar Garciaparra and Jay Payton. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in management and is the only Tech baseball player to have his number (33) retired.

Early professional career

Varitek played two summers in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Hyannis Mets. In by|1993, he hit .371 while winning both the league batting championship and MVP. He was drafted 21st overall in the first round by the Minnesota Twins in 1993, [cite web|url=http://www.jason-varitek.com/articles/insidebaseball.htm|title=Inside Baseball at the College World Series] but opted to return for his senior year of college. Following graduation, Varitek signed with agent Scott Boras and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the by|1994 amateur draft, with the 14th pick overall.cite web|url=http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111402aaa.html|title=Varitek, Garciaparra Inducted Into Cape Cod Baseball Hall of Fame] A pioneer of the loopholes in the draft process, Varitek signed with the St. Paul Saints in the independent Northern League [cite web|url=http://www.jason-varitek.com/articles/varitekseatleagree.htm|title=Varitek, Seattle finally agree; MLB averts lawsuit] before agreeing to terms with the Mariners, and consequently did not enter the Mariners' minor league system until by|1995. When he finally did join the franchise, Varitek was sent to the AA affiliate Port City Roosters where he first met pitcher and longtime teammate Derek Lowe. He was traded with Lowe to the Red Sox during the by|1997 season, in return for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb, often cited as one of the best trades in the Red Sox's favor in recent history.Fact|date=May 2008

Major league career

1998 rookie year - 2001

Varitek was called up for a single game on September 24, 1997, collecting a single in his only at bat. The next season, Varitek split time with incumbent catcher Scott Hatteberg playing in 86 games.cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml|title=Baseball Reference] Varitek showed signs of things to come in the by|1998 season and with a strong spring training following the season, Varitek ensured himself the starting role. by|1999 was a breakout year for the young catcher; he played 144 games in that season while hitting for a .269 average, with 20 home runs, and 76 RBIs. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}] Varitek went 5-21 with 3 RBI in the 1999 ALDS against the [Cleveland Indians. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}] and 4-20 with 1 RBI in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}] Varitek looked forward to building on his success from the year before, but in by|2000 he did not show the same potential and had a disappointing offensive output. He hit just .248 with only 10 home runs and 65 RBI. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}] Prior to the by|2001 season, Varitek signed a 3 year $14.9 million contract with the Red Sox, and off to a hot start before he was sidelined for the season with a broken left elbow after he dove to catch a foul ball on June 7. The play went on to be a top Web Gem for the month of July in 2001. Varitek finished the season with a .293 average, 7 home runs, and 25 RBI in just 51 games played. [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference] ]

2002 and 2003

Varitek returned to the Red Sox lineup fulltime in the by|2002 season. The return did not go smoothly, however, as Varitek struggled to find himself at the plate. Despite not reaching his full offensive potential, [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference] ] pitchers and coaches alike began to notice how much Varitek's preparation and knowledge of the game was helping the pitchers despite the fact that there is no statistical evidence to back up such a claim. His study habits and extra hours of work with pitchers would soon become his defining attribute and make him a household name around the league. Varitek and the Red Sox entered the by|2003 season with a renewed fire to reach the playoffs after missing in the previous three years. Varitek instantly became a leader in the clubhouse which management tried to portray as working class, featuring new faces such as Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, Bill Mueller, and Todd Walker along with original players Trot Nixon and Lou Merloni. 2003 was Varitek's best year to date and earned his first all-star selection after the fans voted him on with the All-Star Final Vote. He was hitting .296 with 15 HRs and 51 RBIs [cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jspymd=20030709&content_id=417344&vkey=allstar2003&fext=.jsp|title=2003 Varitek, Jenkins are All-Stars] going into the all-star break and finished the season off with a solid .273 average, 25 HRs and 85 RBIs, [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference] ] all career highs. Varitek also led the Red Sox to a Wild Card berth and their first playoff appearance since 1999.

2004 and the World Series

In by|2004, Varitek compiled a career-high .296 batting average with 18 home runs and 73 RBI. During a nationally televised game on July 24, 2004, Varitek shoved his glove into the face of Yankees' Alex Rodriguez to protect Bronson Arroyo, causing a bench-clearing brawl. Though he was ejected (along with Rodriguez) from the game following the incident, the moment sparked Boston to an 11-10 come from behind victory. It is also sometimes regarded as the turning point in the Red Sox season, as they posted MLB's best record after the melee. The Red Sox culminated the season with their first World Series championship in 86 years. Having played in this World Series, Varitek became the second player to have played in the Little League World Series, College World Series, and Major League World Series. At the end of the year, Varitek became a free agent and signed a 4-year, $40-million contract with the Red Sox.

Free agency and promotion to Captain

After Varitek's re-signing, the Red Sox appointed him to be the third team captain since by|1923, after Carl Yastrzemski (by|1969-by|1983|83) and Jim Rice (by|1986-by|1989|89). There are currently only two other captains in Major League Baseball: Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees and Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox.

According to Red Sox fans, Varitek is valued as a catcher for his ability to work with pitchers, using scouting reports and video footage to plan each game. He also won his first Gold Glove Award, his first Silver Slugger, and his second All-Star selection in by|2005.

In by|2006, Varitek represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic. He made the most of his playing time, hitting a grand slam home run against Team Canada allowing Team USA to narrow an 8–2 lead down to 8–6. Team Canada, however, kept the lead in the upset victory.

On July 18, 2006, Varitek played his 991st game at catcher for the Boston Red Sox, breaking Carlton Fisk's club record. That game was a home game vs. Kansas City, during which Varitek's achievement was recognized before the top of the 5th inning (after the game was official and couldn't be cancelled due to weather). Varitek received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd at Fenway Park for a few moments before play began. On July 31, 2006, Varitek was injured rounding the bases in a 9–8 victory over the Cleveland Indians (his 1000th career game as catcher), but said he believed the initial injury to the knee occurred while he was blocking home plate to make the tag against the Angels Mike Napoli on July 29, 2006. He had surgery on August 3, 2006 to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. Varitek returned to the Red Sox lineup on September 4, following a short rehabilitation assignment in Pawtucket.

On September 19, 2006, Jason was honored during a pre-game ceremony as the first Red Sox catcher to catch 1,000 games. The Red Sox Captain was presented with a special award by Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, who held the Boston club record with 990 career games caught before Varitek surpassed that total on July 18 versus Kansas City. The Sox backstop caught his 1000th game on July 31 and by the evening of the ceremony had appeared in 1,009 games behind the plate.That same night, Jason also received the 2006 Red Sox Heart and Hustle Award from the local chapter of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, which is presented to a player exemplifying the values, tradition, and spirit of the game of baseball.

In 2007, Varitek and the Red Sox returned to the World Series once again, winning for the second time in four years. During the season, Varitek enjoyed a couple of personal highlights, reaching his 1000th career hit. On May 19, 2008, he caught Jon Lester's no-hitter, giving him a Major League record of having caught four separate no-hitters in his career.

In honor of being captain, Jason released Captain Cabernet, a charity wine with proceeds benefiting Pitching In For Kids and Children's Hospital Boston. [http://www.charitywines.com/varitek.html] [http://www.pitchinginforkids.org/charity_wine.php]

tatistics and awards

Baseball stats|name = Jason Varitek|update = 2008|g=1330|ab=4401|r=573|h=1156|2b=266|3b=13|hr=161|rbi=654|sb=25|ba = .263|cite=cite web | title =Jason Varitek | publisher = RedSox.com| date = 2008-09-24 | url = http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=123660
accessdate = 2008-09-24]

Georgia Tech records

"All Georgia Tech records courtesy of RamblinWreck.com, the official website of Georgia Tech athletics" [ [http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/lettermen.html Georgia Tech all-time records] ]
*Most career games played (253)
*Most career runs scored (261)
*Most career base hits (351)
*Most career doubles (82)

College awards and achievements

*His number 33 is only the second number ever retired by Georgia Tech; the first was #44, worn by Coach Jim Luck
*Baseball America's 1993 player of the year
*Named by Baseball America to "All-Time College All-Star Team" [ [http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=123660 Jason Varitek player bio from RedSox.com] ]
*1994 Golden Spikes Award
*1994 Rotary Smith Award
*1994 Dick Howser Trophy
*Three time consensus All-American (1992, '93, '94) [http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111402aaa.html Varitek, Garciaparra Inducted Into Cape Cod Baseball Hall of Fame] ]
*Inducted into Georgia Tech Hall of Fame [ [http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/geot-m-basebl-spec-rel.html Georgia Tech Archives] ]
*1994 College World Series runner-up

Early professional career

*Inducted into Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame
*1993 Cape Cod Baseball League's Pat Sorenti Award as the League MVP

MLB career

*Three time All-Star (2003, 2005 and 2008), one time starter (2005)
*2005 Silver Slugger Award winner
*2005 Gold Glove winner
*2006 Heart and Hustle Award
*On May 19th, 2008 Varitek caught his fourth no hitter, an MLB record.

Red Sox milestones and achievements

"All Red Sox milestones and achievements courtesy of RedSox.com [ [http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=123660 RedSox.com player bio] ] "
*Became 26th player to hit 100 home runs for club on April 14, 2005
*First Red Sox catcher to ever win Silver Slugger
*Third Red Sox catcher to win a Gold Glove (Carlton Fisk and Tony Pena)
*First Red Sox at any position to win Gold Glove since Tony Pena in 1991
*Was on the 2004 World Series team, the first Red Sox team to win the championship in 86 years
*Over 1,000 games caught - most in 106-year Red Sox history - breaking Carlton Fisk's club record of 990 on July 18, 2006 vs. Kansas City

Notable firsts

*In the 2004 World Series, Varitek batted against the St. Louis Cardinals' Jason Marquis, the first time two former Little League World Series participants have faced each other in the Major League Baseball World Series. Varitek had played for Altamonte Springs, Florida in 1984. [ [http://www.littleleague.org/media/jasonvsjason.asp Jason vs. Jason: LLB World Series Participants Square Off in MLB World Series] ] .
*In the 2004 World Series, Jason became the second player to appear in the Little League World Series Altamonte Springs, Florida 1984 runner-up, 1994 NCAA Div I runner-up Georgia Tech, and Major League Baseball World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 2004. Ed Vosberg was the first player to complete this triple.
*Varitek is the only player to have competed in the Little League World Series, College World Series, MLB World Series, on the Olympic Baseball team, and in the World Baseball Classic.

Personal life

Varitek married Karen Mullinax in 1996. The couple filed for divorce on July 28, 2008. [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/08/14/varitek_files_for_divorce/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1] ] They have three daughters: Alexandra Rose (born January 14, 2000), Kendall Anne (born September 30, 2001) and Caroline Morgan (born June 13, 2005). In addition, his brother Justin Varitek is a member of the Rollins College baseball team coaching staff. [cite web | title = Justin Varitek | publisher = rollins.edu | url =http://rollinssports.athleticsite.com/profile.asp?playerID=632| accessdate = 2007-12-02]

ee also

*Top 500 home run hitters of all time
*Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game

References

External links

*imdb name|1742584
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference (statistics and analysis)]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5921 ESPN (profile and daily update)]
* [http://multimedia.boston.com/baseball/boston-red-sox/jason-varitek.htm Jason Varitek Video and Audio on Boston.com]

Persondata
NAME = Varitek, Jason
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Baseball catcher
DATE OF BIRTH = April 11, 1972
PLACE OF BIRTH = Rochester, Michigan
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =