Jason Varitek
Varitek catching up on business
February 25, 2007 | Worcester Telegram | By Jeff Goldberg
FORT MYERS, Fla.— It was a typical busy first week of spring training for Jason Varitek. The Red Sox catcher and captain met some new teammates, waited for an old one to arrive, caught his first bullpen session for a Japanese national treasure, and began working with two new members of the starting rotation.
Coming off a season marred by injury, he also faced scrutiny about his health. Entering his 11th season with the Red Sox, Varitek turns 35 April 11, the day after the home opener.
Hampered by a strained gluteus muscle early in the season, then missing more than a month after surgery Aug. 3 to repair a tear in the left meniscus cartilage, his offensive production slipped dramatically.
His 103 games played were his fewest since he played 51 in 2001 after breaking his right elbow making a diving catch of Tiger Shane Halter’s foul ball. His .238 average was the lowest of his nine-year big league career and 31 points lower than his career average. His 12 home runs were the fewest since he hit 10 in 2002. His 55 RBIs were the fewest since that injury-shortened 2001 season.
But, Varitek, who said he had a productive offseason, said he is ready to show he is healthy again.
“I have to go out and still be able to prove it,” he said. “I believe in myself and in my ability, what I’m able to accomplish. I see no reason why I can’t still perform.”
Varitek’s value is not simply what he accomplishes at the plate, but also behind it. Thursday he caught Daisuke Matsuzaka’s first bullpen session of the spring, a 103-pitch opening number that surprised some, but not Varitek.
“No, not many guys are (throwing that many pitches this early in spring), but Curt (Schilling) pitched a few long ones. Josh (Beckett) has, too,” Varitek said. “But we kind of had it in the back burner and knew ahead of time that it was getting ready to happen.”
Varitek liked what he saw from the newest member of the Sox rotation.
“He stayed pretty consistent the entire time,” Varitek said. “He stayed at a pace that wasn’t rapid fire. He paid attention to details that he needs to do to repeat what he wants to do.”
Varitek remarked that the long session was beneficial for him, too.
“I got to find my catching stance. Got to see a lot of different releases,” he quipped, before returning to business matters. “No, he ratcheted it up a little bit as he went along even more. So I got to see, in my opinion, another little gear on some of his pitches.
“It was really good, but I don’t think that extra gear is what makes him. What I’ve seen so far, what makes him is his ability to utilize all his pitches. I got to see some pitches in the dirt. I got to see some balls that got away from him, where he’s trying to go, where they get away from him. He got locked in on it. So, there’s a lot of benefit for me sitting down there with him that long.”
Matsuzaka liked what he saw from his new catcher.
“When I was in Japan, I knew that he was the captain of the team of the Red Sox and also as well as the captain of the U.S. team,” Matsuzaka said, through an interpreter. “And, I knew as a person he has a big heart and embracing everybody. And since I came over here, it has been a few days, and I realize that he has really big heart to embrace it all. … Because that’s the power of embracing. (He) can take it all and hold it all and with no problems, with grace.
“And when I’m pitching, I feel comfortable and confident that he’s catching me.”
Varitek admitted that he will have to work to ensure the rest of the rotation feels that comfort and confidence, too.
“We’ve got our work cut out with our rotation,” he said. “We’ve added Daisuke and (Jonathan Papelbon is) back. Pap’s got to adjust to extended innings again, and relearning his secondary pitches. And I look forward to Josh (Beckett returning). He’s really worked hard, and mentally worked hard to push himself to that next step. … It’s going to be interesting. We’ve got our work cutout for all that to work out right.”
Of Schilling’s plan to file for free agency at the end of the season, closing contract talks with the Sox in the interim, Varitek does not see that becoming a distraction.
“I don’t think it will affect Curt in any way, shape, or form,” he said. “I’ve heard two sides of that story. I’m not in the middle of that one to really know. I know Curt will be absolutely professional to prepare for the season, to have the best year that he possibly can.”
Of Sox fans, who have been in camp by the thousands, including approximately 2,400 for Thursday’s first full workout, and being recognized in public.
“I wouldn’t say that you’re always recognized. I wear a mask for a living…But the support of the fans, you have a tremendous following…For guys that haven’t been there, it creates a little excitement. In different cities and different times of the season, we come in to play them, and it also benefits the home team, because half of the people in there are rooting for the Sox. So it raises that energy level. But nothing raises it more than playing at home.”
If you’re there the next time the Sox play at home, don’t forget to wish the captain a happy birthday.