Jason Varitek, after considering playing in 2012 for a team other than the only one he’s known, has decided to retire instead.
Jason Varitek Announces Retirement At JetBlue Park
Varitek announced his retirement Thursday from JetBlue Park, home of the Red Sox during spring training. You can watch video here, from ESPN Boston. Said Varitek:
The Red Sox offered the 39-year-old a minor-league contract with a spring training invite, but Varitek turned it down and opted to hang up his spikes. He intends now to spend a lot more time with his family, which is what they always say. And presumably they always mean it. Baseball players do not get to spend all that much time with their families. Nobody’s ever thrilled about having to retire, but there’s no denying the benefits.
Read Article >Why Red Sox Might Miss Jason Varitek’s Defense
Nobody seems to know how to measure a catcher’s defensive value.
How are those two statements related?
Read Article >Longtime Red Sox Catcher Jason Varitek Will Retire
Who? Exactly. Slocumb had been a decent closer in Boston, but was a poor performer in Seattle.
Meanwhile, Lowe and Varitek would be centerpieces of the team that eventually broke Boston’s World Series drought in 2004; Varitek was the starting catcher for the Red Sox’ second World Series title team in 2007.
Read Article >
