Jason Varitek returns to Fenway Park for one more year
Jason Varitek has been a Boston Red Sox player for the last 14 seasons and he will be back in Fenway Park, again. The veteran catcher will be given a new responsibility and while his role will be limited on the field, it is believed that the experienced
player will impart his skills to the youngsters at the club.
Bringing Varitek's back for another year was a decision that came from the Red Sox management. His heart belongs to the Red Sox, and he wasn’t shy of saying that he was going to retire. He thanked the club for extending his stay at the club albeit in a different
capacity. Varitek will be part of the new revolution at Boston, and will remain the team’s captain for a seventh season.
It’s believed that the Red Sox plan to use the leader to coach Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The 26-year-old catcher will be coached by the pitching staff. He was a player who came in from the Texas Rangers this year on a trade deal. Jarrod will have Varitek as
a mentor at the club.
"We're thrilled to have 'Tek back," said General Manager Theo Epstein at Crawford’s introduction to the Boston fans at Fenway Park. "We really like everything 'Tek brings to the table - his leadership, the way he handles the pitching staff, his mentorship
of Jarrod and just what he brings to this franchise."
When Varitek played his last game at Fenway Park, he was given a standing ovation for his dedication to the club. He has a record of playing 1420 games behind the plate. His performance in the 2010 season was greatly appreciated by the Red Sox. He registered
a batting average of .232. In addition to that, he smashed seven homers and staked up 16 Runs Batted In (RBIs). The catcher will now work with Curt Young, who is the team’s new pitching coach. Varitek also talked about John Farrell, who was the team’s former
coach before he took up the managerial position with the Toronto Blue Jays.
"Yes, John Farrell was very good at what he did; on my end of it he was great to work with, game planned and those things extremely well," Jason Varitek said. "(But) it wasn't like that day one when he walked in, his communication was great and those things.
Anyway, we can help our new pitching coach, help him learn people, learn situations the best we can. That's where I think I'll have the most impact."
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