Definition: Dirt Dogs

Red Sox Magazine, First Edition, 2004 | By Garry Brown

 

In the western Massachusetts town of Agawam, there’s a sandlot baseball team with an unlikely name: The Sacred Heart Dirt Dogs.

The team adopted its nickname after being inspired by a story in which Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek was quoted as saying, “We’re just a bunch of dirt dogs, working hard and finding ways to win ball games.” No question about it, the “dirt dog” image speaks to the true-grit style of this Red Sox ball club. Varitek could be the poster boy for that image. So could right fielder Trot Nixon, truly a blue-color worker on the baseball field. They certainly stand as ideal role models for the kids in Agawam, and everywhere else.

It has been said of both that they play baseball with a “football mentality”. That’s a tribute to their toughness and their willingness to go all-out all the time. They are tireless workers, both in pre-game preparation, and on the field.

When you’re a dirt dog, you eschew possible bodily harm to get the job done. Think about Varitek, an immovable object when he blocks the plate against fast-moving baserunners determined to knock the ball out of his grasp. Think about Nixon, diving to make plays, even though those dives sometimes hurtle him close to Fenway’s low railing along the right-field line.

The most dangerous dive in recent years was performed by Varitek, when his head-first slide for a catch of a foul ball damaged his right elbow and put him out for the season in June of 2001. Would he go for that kind of play again?

“Absolutely”, he said.

Varitek and Nixon could very well serve as de facto co-captains of the Red Sox. Both love their team and its fans. Both have a burning desire to beat the Yankees and bring a World Series winner to New England.

For Varitek, playing in the World Series would complete his personal post-season package. He already has played in the Little League World Series (with Longwood, Florida), the College World Series (with Georgia Tech) and the Olympic Games.

“One big one to go”, he says.

For the 2003 season, Varitek earned the Red Sox Most Valuable Player Award from the Boston Chapter, Baseball Writers Association of America. At the chapter’s January 12 th banquet, Varitek told a packed hall in the Sheraton-Boston that the award really belonged to the whole team.

“Anywhere from one through nine in our lineup, you could find an MVP. I accept it on behalf of all those other guys,” he said.

It’s that kind of team spirit and leadership that makes Varitek such a good teammate and so important to the Red Sox cause, day in and day out.

“I always regarded Jason as an effective switch hitter with power, but I didn’t fully realize at the beginning how important he is to this team, and especially the pitchers,” said John Henry, principal owner of the Red Sox.

Passion for the game, and for this team, is what really defines Varitek and Nixon. They also share a bond with the loyal fans who fill Fenway day after day, year after year.

“There’s a special kind of excitement playing in Boston,” Varitek said. “You just know how much a championship would mean to Red Sox fans.”

In addition to their dirt-dog bond, Varitek and Nixon have something else in common – each was a Number 1 draft pick. Matter of fact, Varitek went No.1 twice. He chose not to sign with Minnesota after his junior year, stayed at Georgia Tech and was drafted again after his senior year, that time by Seattle in 1994.

Nixon was drafted out of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1993 after a starry career as a football quarterback and baseball pitcher/outfielder. He was within hours of becoming a student and quarterback at North Carolina State when the Red Sox persuaded him to concentrate on baseball.

After unimpressive seasons in Double A and Triple A (1996-97), Nixon had his breakout year in 1998 when he hit .310 with 23 homers for Pawtucket of the International League. In 1999, he stuck with the Red Sox, mainly because of the patience of the then-manager Jimy Williams. He stood by Nixon when it seemed certain he would be sent back to Triple A. Eventually, he caught on and has been learning ever since.

“There’s always room to learn something in this game,” he said. “I want to continue to go uphill. I know what I need to do. That’s why I worked so hard against left-handed pitching in the off-season. I have a machine that simulates left-handed pitching, and I faced it every day. I’m also serious about my defense. I want to be the best I can be out there.”

While Nixon came to the Sox as a homegrown type, Varitek arrived unheralded in a trade that in retrospect ranks among the best the Red Sox have ever made. The Sox made that deal in 1996, mainly to get rid of Heathcliff Slocumb, who had become a manager’s nightmare in the closer’s role. Then-GM Dan Duquette got the Mariners to take him in return for two untested players – Varitek and pitcher Derek Lowe. Within three years, both became key members of the Red Sox. Varitek established himself in the big leagues in 1999. He was so impressive in spring training that manager Williams kept him at the expense of veteran Jim Leyritz, whom he turned into a part-time DH so that Varitek could make the roster coming out of training camp.

Since then, Varitek has followed the Nixon pattern of “wanting to continue to go uphill.”

His work ethic not only has made him the best handler of pitchers in the American League, it has helped him become a feared hitter, one with power from both sides of the plate.

“I’m never satisfied with my game. There are always things to work on, especially with hitting. You can never reach a point where you think there’s nothing to improve on,” he said.

“I’ve known Jason for a long time, going back to when we played at Georgia Tech,” said teammate Nomar Garciaparra. “He was a great player then, and he is now. I don’t think you can find a harder worker in baseball.”

In addition to all that they bring to the Red Sox as players, clubhouse leaders and good old “dirt dogs,” Varitek and Nixon bring strength of character. They are solid citizens, family men who give their time to community service as ideal ambassadors for the Red Sox.

For instance: A week before spring training began, the Hyde Park Lions Club honored Varitek as its Sportsman of the Year. His work with the Jennifer Lynn Kennedy Memorial Foundation exemplified what the Lions Club wants in its award winners.

“I’m only at the beginning of my charity work,” Varitek said. “The Red Sox have a long history of players who have done a lot for charities, and are still doing it.”

With sterling characters like Varitek and Nixon setting the tone for the 2004 Red Sox, we can be sure that this will be an exciting team to watch – from now until October.

Nixon missed the entire 2004 spring training and the start of the season due to a back injury. However, he believes his teammates can pick up the slack. “They’re not going to skip a beat with me not out there. One player doesn’t make or break this team. I’m just a piece of the puzzle.”

So keep an eye on the “dirt dogs”. They’re determined to bring a world championship to the Fenway Faithful.