Jason Andrew Varitek (born April 11, 1972) is an Americanbaseball player born in Rochester, Michigan. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox. A two time all-star and Gold Glover, Varitek was an integral part of the 2004 World Series Championship. In 2005 he was named the captain of the Red Sox, the eighteenth player given the honor. He is a switch-hitting catcher.
While in high school, Varitek was a third baseman and catcher for the Lake Brantley High School baseball team in Altamonte Springs, FL. The Patriots' usual catcher was Jerry Thurston, himself a major league prospect. In 1990, the Patriots won the state championship[History of Florida State Champions]and were later named as the number one team in the nation, by USA Today.
Collegiate career
Varitek then went on to Georgia Tech, where he played with future teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Darren Bragg and Jay Payton[Georgia Tech letterman by name], and took part in the 1992 Summer Olympics. During his senior season in 1994 , he played in the college baseball national championship game. After his senior season, Varitek won three collegiate baseball awards: the Dick Howser Trophy, the Golden Spikes Award and the Rotary Smith Award, each recognizing the outstanding collegiate baseball player in America. He was the first baseball player in school history to have his number retired.He has many records and awards there including...
His number 33 is only number ever retired by Georgia Tech
Baseball America's 1993 player of the year
Named by Baseball America to "All-Time College All-Star Team"[2]
1994 Golden Spikes Award
1994 Rotary Smith Award
1994 Dick Howser Trophy
Three time consensus All-American (1992, '93, '94) [3]
Inducted into Georgia Tech Hall of Fame[4]
1994 College World Series runner-up
Most career games played (253)
Most career runs scored (261)
Most career base hits (351)
Most career doubles (82)
Most home runs in a single game (3)t
Most career home runs (57)
Most career RBI's (251)
Most career total bases (610)
Most walks in a season (76)
All Georgia Tech records courtesy of RamblinWreck.com, the official website of Georgia Tech athletics[1]
Beginning in 1997 until present day, Jason Varitek has played for the Boston Red Sox
1998 rookie year - 2001
Varitek was called up for a single game on September 24, 1997, collecting a single in his only at bat. The next season Varitek split time with incumbent catcher Scott Hatteberg playing in 86 games[Baseball Reference]. Varitek showed signs of things to come in the 1998 season and with a strong spring training following the season, Varitek ensured himself the starting role. 1999 was a breakout year for the young catcher; he played 144 games in that season while hitting for a .269 average, with 20 home runs, and 76 RBIs[http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}. 1999 also gave Varitek his first taste of the playoffs. Varitek went 5-21 with 3 RBI in the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians[1999 ALDS Stats] and 4-20 with 1 RBI in the ALCS against the New York Yankees[1999 ALCS Stats]. Varitek looked forward to building on his success from the year before, but in 2000 he did not show the same potential and had a disappointing offensive output. He hit just .248 with only 10 home runs and 65 RBI[http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}. Prior to the 2001 season, Varitek signed a 3 year $14.9 million contract with the Red Sox, and off to a hot start before he was sidelined for the season with a broken left elbow after he dove to catch a foul ball on July 7. The play went on to be a top Web Gem for the month of July in 2001. Varitek finished the season with a .293 average, 7 home runs, and 25 RBI in just 51 games played[http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}. Stretched out over a season, this would lead to over 20 home runs and 75 RBIs, in line with his 1999 season, encouraging the Red Sox front office.
2002 and 2003
Varitek returned to the Red Sox lineup fulltime in the 2002 season. The return did not go smoothly, however, as Varitek struggled to find himself at the plate. Despite not reaching his full offensive potential[http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}, pitchers and coaches alike began to notice how much Varitek's preparation and knowledge of the game was helping the pitchers. His study habits and extra hours of work with pitchers would soon become his defining attribute and make him a household name around the league. Varitek and the Red Sox entered the 2003 season with a renewed fire to reach the playoffs after missing in the previous three years. Varitek instantly became a leader in the working class clubhouse featuring new faces such as Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, Bill Mueller, and Todd Walker along with original Dirt Dogs Trot Nixon and Lou Merloni. 2003 was Varitek's best year to date and earned his first all-star selection after the fans voted him on with the "All-Star Final Vote". He was hitting .296 with 15 HRs and 51 RBIs[2003 Varitek, Jenkins are All-Stars] going into the all-star break and finished the season off with a solid .273 average, 25 HRs and 85 RBIs[http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/varitja01.shtml Baseball Reference}, all career highs. Varitek also led the Red Sox to a Wild Card birth and their first playoff appearance since 1999.
2004 and the World Series
A 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Ring. Ring courtesy of Red Sox Vice-Chairman Les Otten
In 2004, Varitek compiled a career-high .296 batting average with 18 home runs and 73 RBI. During a nationally televised game in July 2004, in what is widely as the turning point in the Red Sox season, Varitek punched out Yankee’s Alex Rodriguez, causing a benches clearing brawl and sparking the Red Sox, who were trailing at the time, to a 9-8 come from behind victory. His team later went on to win its first World Series victory in 86 years. At the end of the year, Varitek became a free agent and signed a 4-year, $40-million contract with the Red Sox.
According to baseball media, Varitek is valued as a catcher for his ability to work with pitchers, using scouting reports and video footage to plan each game. He also won his first Gold Glove Award and first Silver Slugger award in 2005.
Through the end of the 2005 season, Varitek has a career batting average of .272 with 119 home runs and 488 RBI.
In 2006, Varitek represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic. He made the most of his playing time, hitting a grand slam home run against Team Canada allowing Team USA to move from 8-2, to 8-6, Team Canada however, was able to hang on to the lead in the upset loss.
See also: List of Jason Varitek's awards
Personal life
Jason makes his off-season home in Suwanee, Georgia with wife Karen, whom he met through a mutual friend at Georgia Tech, and daughters Alexandra Rose (1/14/00), Kendall Anne (9/30/01) and Caroline Morgan (6/13/05). During the season, the young family lives in the neighborhood of Waban in Newton, Massachusetts.
