| Last additions - NESN - 2008 Celebrity Spotlight |
NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt94 viewsRed Sox Captain Jason Varitek is known for many things on the baseball field, he is lesser known for his mini-golf skills. But that is changing now that the Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt Tournament is in it's third year.
The show premiered on August 7th, 2008 on NESN and ran through the rest of the month.
Special thanks to NESN producer Bob Sylvester for making me and my site a "part" of the show!Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt253 viewsJason acknowledges the fans as the Tournament begins.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt224 viewsJason smiles for the crowd at the start of the event.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt170 views"In 3 years, I'm 0-3 for a hole-in-one!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt170 viewsJason: "We were looking for something on both sides that could be a little bit more family-oriented. Having young kids, it would be something that may appeal to teammates, to bring out their families, enjoy a little putt-putt and then still have the charity side to it."
This year's event raised thousands of dollars for the Celebrities for Charities Foundation and Childrens Hospital Boston.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt166 views"Children's Hospital became a personal interest to me because of a personal visits and a relationship with a young girl, who passed away, named Jennifer Lynn Kennedy...and that has just become more dear to my heart."
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt160 viewsJon Lester on the green.
**To see the photos in the correct order, click on "Last uploads" to the upper right of this page!Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt135 viewsJason signs autographs for the crowd that came out to watch the tournament.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt123 viewsMike Timlin:
"Since I have been here with the Red Sox, guys have charities that are near and dear to heart, and as a teammate you go out and support that!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt227 viewsJacoby can't believe the shot he just took!Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt158 viewsJason messes with one of the participants in his group:
"That might have a chance....and you went and got your stroke scientifically evaluated? and paid for it?"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt163 viewsJason golfs with Jacoby Ellsbury.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt140 views"Since our change in management, they have done such a great job putting people in the right places for us to interact. To allow us to give back. Sometimes players don't know how to give back or get started in the community. It starts with our management, from the top down to present us with the support and the opportunities to do that."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt132 viewsFavorite athlete:
"My favorite athlete growing up was Bo Jackson. I just loved his ability to excel in two sports."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt128 viewsFavorite hobby or pastime:
"Fishing! I love to bass fish. I don't do it very often."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt116 views"I also don't mind golfing, I don't do that too often, it is a little bit more time consuming."
"The sport I play the worst is probably golf!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt128 viewsBest concert he ever attended:
"Best concert I ever saw was probably Kenny Chesney"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt123 viewsFirst job:
"My first job was working construction."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt114 viewsJason laughs about his first job in construction and is happy he decided to go to college!Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt109 viewsIf you had to choose one food for the rest of your life...
"If I could choose one food for the rest of my life...probably calzone!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt112 viewsWould you go back and change anything?
"If I could do it all over, I don't know if I would change a thing!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt100 viewsThe "Long's Moment" question - What is the one gift baseball has brought you?
"I wouldn't say 'one gift', but the gift of helping out my family. And to have the opportunity to help them out financially."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt152 viewsJason poses with two lovely fans.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt117 viewsGolf participant: "My wife is a big fan of yours, she loves..."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt112 viewsJason interrupts the man...
"Be careful! I'm miked!" (crowd laughs)Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt107 viewsJason: "Before you go any further, I just want to forewarn you...I AM miked! Anything you say could be used against you in a Court of Law, but go ahead!!"
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt97 viewsJon Lester on 'Tek:
"Sometimes a lot of guys, especially 'Tek, take the job very seriously. He is always preparing, he seems like he doesn't have time to relax. It's nice to come out here and see him be himself and have some fun. It's for a good cause and we get to enjoy ourselves!"
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt224 viewsJason on the course with two of his daughters.
Tim Wakefield on 'Tek:
"He's very intense when he's in the ballpark, but he's also very loving and caring when he's off the field. He's a great father and a great family man. It's great that he gives back to the community that supports him. It's an honor to be out here supporting him at an event like today."
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt99 viewsJulio Lugo on Jason:
"He is one of the best human beings I have ever met. As a person, he is very sensitive, very caring. As a teammate, you see him with his kids, his family, the people around him. He is one of the best human beings I have been around."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt112 viewsJason stops play to sign an autograph for a fan.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt96 viewsCoCo on Jason:
"It's a pleasure to come out here and support Captain Varitek. He does a lot of great things for the community, for kids, for families and this is just another great event he puts on. I just wanted to come out here and show my support."
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt101 viewsJacoby on Jason:
"You know, he helped me so much especially when I was called up in the beginning. He gave me the 'do's and don'ts' and made me feel a lot more comfortable in the clubhouse coming up. He just made me feel a lot more at home. When you are relaxed, you feel better. I am glad I had Jason there when I came up!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt121 viewsJason shows off his putt-putt skills to Jacoby.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt114 views'Tek giving Jacoby some advice:
"You gotta whack it!!!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt98 viewsTim Wakefield wishing the camera had not caught his last shot:
"That's NOT funny! That's NOT funny!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt120 views'Tek and Jacoby on the green.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt87 viewsJonathan Papelbon on his golfing expertise:
"Pretty much, bar-none, I'm the best I've seen! I would challenge Tiger Woods at any hole!"Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt93 viewsJason is surrounded by fans during a break in Tournament action.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt93 viewsBest memory:
"First and foremost, the last out of the World Series, of the first one, is always going to be there. And to think that you can repeat that feeling again in '07 when we get that last out. You know, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I was overwhelmed a bit emotionally. Those accomplishments of getting there were probably my best memories."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt92 viewsThe show stepped away from the Putt-Putt Tournament to focus on Jason's life and his start in baseball.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt86 viewsJason Varitek was born on April 11, 1972 in Rochester, Michigan. In 1979, Jason and his family moved to Alta Monte Springs, Florida where he would spend the rest of his youth.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt88 viewsOn moving from Michigan to Florida:
"I was young, I was seven. It was different, because we left all our relatives, our grandparents, and everybody up in that area, and then we spent eleven months in a hotel, an extended-stay hotel."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt102 viewsJason's high school graduation.
Photo: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt103 views"Florida was a great place to grow up for me. You can't really beat the weather, we got to do a lot of things outdoors. We really didn't sit indoors very much."
Jason and friends battling to see who has the right to wear the Burger King crown (upside down!).
Photo: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt81 viewsNot surprisingly the Altamonte Springs Little League team became pretty good shortly thereafter.
Photo: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt83 viewsJason got his first taste of the National Baseball limelight when his team amde it to the Little League World Series in 1984, losing in the finals to South Korea.
Screen capture: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt82 views"I was a catcher, played outfield, pitched a little. Throughout my career and life, I learned to play other positions. In High School, I played third and outfield mainly, and caught. We had a real good catcher. Then I made that full transition (to catcher) wnen I went to college."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt86 viewsJason shown on the cover of a Georgia Tech game schedule from 1993. The cover reads, "Jason Varitek - U.S. Olympian Consesus All-American".
Schedule: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt79 viewsAt college, 'Tek's success continued as he and teammates Normar Garciaparra and Jay Peyton took their Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to the College World Series in 1994.
Photo of Jason: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt92 viewsWhile in college, Jason got his introduction into New England baseball, playing for the Cape League's Hyannis Mets from 1991-1993.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt127 viewsJason (seated) at the home of the Kings, his host family during his time playing for the Cape League.
Photo: Jason-Varitek.com galleryJan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt78 viewsOn playing in the Cape League:
"That was a great experience for a college player, you get to use the wood bats. You get to be on your own again. Just the experience of playing in a phenominal league. I got so lucky to have such a wonderful host family that I got to stay with twice. I'm still close to and still friends with the entire family."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt79 views"I had a passion to play football. I enjoyed it. I had a passion to play sports and compete, but baseball was the always there. And as I got older, I found myself steering more that way and then it became a coin toss between the two - football and baseball, and you know it was always a passion and something I loved to do."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt75 viewsAs to the future...
"I can't go there, not right now. I can't afford to. We have so much on our plate to try and accomplish, and to work through right now. Those things will take care of themselves through the course of time. If I spent all my time worrying about that then I'm not going to get my job done behind the plate."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt101 viewsThe show takes a look back at Jason's Christmas Eve 2004 press conference when he was presented with the honor of being named Team Captain
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt94 viewsJason's Christmas Eve 2004 press conference:
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein: "We have a little bit of a surprise here today. I don't think Jason knows about this..."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt96 viewsJason's Christmas Eve 2004 press conference:
Theo Epstein: "We are going to formalize that role for Jason, and make you the team captain."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt87 viewsJason stands up and checks out the new "letter" added to his jersey.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt81 viewsJason on the "C":
"I think it's positional. I think it's easy for me because it just fit the way I conduct business. But the longer I've been here, not necessarily that role, but trying to build a championship, I've learned how to be a better communicator. I really haven't had to do anything different because they put an extra letter on my uniform."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt77 viewsJason signs an autograph for a little "Jason":
Dad: "His name is Jason too."
Jason: "Is your name knucklehead too? (little boy shakes his head "no" and laughs) Everyone calls me knucklehead!"
Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt68 viewsJon Lester on 'Tek:
"We've got enough going on in our heads as it is day to day and he takes a lot of that out. He just lets us go out there and pitch and we just follow him, and let him guide us through the game. It takes a lot of pressure off of us, especially being young guys trying to learn the league."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt63 viewsPapelbon on 'Tek:
"What he brings to me is that confidence level. Knowing I got a guy back there that is going to back me 100% on whatever I decide to do. I got a guy who I know has done his homework! And I gotta guy who's gonna lead me so if I don't know what to do, I can rely on him. It's a beautiful feeling."Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt66 viewsJonathan Papelbon not feeling very "Tiger Woods-like" at the moment.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt84 viewsJason on his teammates participation:
"I really appreciate them coming out. We don't have many off days and it just shows that people care. I hope they had a good time with their families. I hope everyone had a good time. The venue was beautiful, the support was outstanding." Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt-Putt82 viewsNESN contacted me in July for assistance with photos and a bit of information for the show.Jan 03, 2009
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NESN's Celebrity Spotlight - Jason Varitek Celebrity Putt Putt77 viewsThank you again to NESN and Mr. Sylvester!Jan 03, 2009
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