Battery Power - Tavarez gets extra spark from Varitek

May 11, 2007 | Boston Herald | By Michael Silverman

 

TORONTO - Julian Tavarez flew home last night to get some extra sleep before his start against the Orioles tonight.

   

Odds were good that besides missing a chance to have his bald head rubbed by his good pal Manny Ramirez, the one teammate Tavarez was saddest to leave behind was the one he will need the most tonight.


  

"I have a good memory about batters I've faced, but very much I rely on(catcher Jason) Varitek," Tavarez said after a workout as he dressed in the visitors clubhouse before catching a ride to the airport. "I would say he's the smartest catcher I've ever had. Tough guy, too. I liked Mike Matheny (Cardinals), too. He's pretty good."


  

If anything, Tavarez is so keenly aware of what's going on when he's on the mound that he cannot help himself from pointing to first base on a simple ground ball with nobody on, as if the infielder would be tempted to turn and wheel it to Ramirez in left field.


   

Having Varitek behind the plate is, in some fashion, a reflection of himself.


  

"He's a tough guy, so focused on the game," said Tavarez, who won his only start against the Orioles last year, giving up two runs on six hits and five walks in five innings. "I like that. He doesn't care where we're at in the game, he's focused on the game."


    

Tavarez noted that while he has a good memory of past battles with batters, this is just his second season back in the American League since 1995. With Varitek catching full-time in the AL since 1998, Tavarez finds himself having little difficulty arguing with any pitch Varitek calls.


   

"When I do shake him, I get hurt," said Tavarez, who is 1-3 with a 6.48 ERA after five starts.


  

Tavarez, 33, just may be the most approachable and appreciative member of the Red Sox team. While few believe he is going to stick in the rotation once Jon Lester is ready to return, Tavarez is going to make the move back to the bullpen with grace.


  

He understands his role, and believes that this Red Sox pitching staff is the best he has ever been associated with.


  

"I love this team," Tavarez said. "We're in first place, that's the main thing. If the team can stay healthy no doubt we're going to have a pretty good season."



**Thank you to Jessica for mailing me this article from Boston!