Red Sox Hall of Fame: Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield enshrined
World Series heroes Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield were among the group inducted into the Boston Red Sox Class of 2016 Hall of Fame.
The Boston Red Sox welcomed four new members into their Hall of Fame this week, including two players that won a pair World Series rings together with the organization.
Former teammates Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield were joined by the late Ira Flagstead and Red Sox President/CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino to make up the Class of 2016. The Red Sox held a ceremony in their honor Thursday night to celebrate their enshrinement into the franchise Hall of Fame.
The Red Sox also recognized David Ortiz‘s game-tying grand slam in Game 2 of the 2013 American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers as this year’s “Memorable Moment.”
This year’s class holds a special significance for Red Sox fans due to the inclusion of two players that were instrumental in delivering a World Series title in 2004, ending an 86 year drought for the franchise. Varitek and Wakefield were also part of another championship season in 2007, but that first title will always have a special place in the hearts of Red Sox fans.
There was also a ceremony prior to Friday night’s game at Fenway Park against the Cleveland Indians, during which Varitek, Wakefield and Lucchino threw out the first pitch. It was only fitting that Terry Francona’s team was in town that day, seeing as he was the manager of those Red Sox teams that ‘Tek and Wake won championships with.
The members of this year’s class may not wind up in Cooperstown, but they have each made a significant impact on the franchise, making their enshrinement into the Red Sox Hall of Fame well deserved.
Next: Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
The Red Sox acquired Varitek in 1997 from the Seattle Mariners in one of the most fortuitous trades in franchise history. He made his big league debut with the Red Sox in a brief one-game appearance later that year, but would go on to become the team’s primary catcher for the next 14 seasons.
Varitek was never one to be considered outspoken, but he led by example with his professionalism and meticulous preparation. His leadership earned him the rare honor of being named team Captain in 2005, a title he held until he retired following the 2011 season. The Red Sox have not handed out that honor to anyone else since.
Varitek caught a club-record 1,488 games during his career and was behind the plate for a record four no-hitters.
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The three-time All-Star also has a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award on his mantle, both of which were earned in 2005. Varitek was a career .256/.341/.435 hitter with 193 career home runs. Solid numbers for a catcher, but his bat isn’t what got him into the Hall of Fame. Varitek was known best for his leadership, expert game-calling and rapport with the pitching staff. He was defined mostly by the immeasurable intangibles that not only made him a great player, but a great teammate.
One of the more memorable moments of his career came during a regular season game against the New York Yankees in 2004, during the height of the rivalry between the two divisional foes. Yankees slugger
Alex Rodriguezhad some words for
Bronson Arroyoafter the Red Sox pitcher plunked him, prompting Varitek to step in between them to protect his pitcher. A-Rod and ‘Tek got into a heated exchange that led to the catcher shoving his mitt into the smug face of the Yankees’ star, which incited a benches clearing brawl. Varitek’s actions served as a rallying cry for the Red Sox, who would meet the Yankees again in the ALCS that year. You may recall how that went. Boston came back from an 0-3 hole to win the series, on their way to winning a championship. A lot of factors went into that historic comeback, but give Varitek credit for showing earlier that season that this team would not back down.
Fellow Hall of Famer
Pedro Martineztook the stage during the ceremony, telling Varitek that he was one of the biggest reasons why the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. That’s high praise coming from one of his teammates on that championship team, who also happens to be arguably the greatest pitcher in franchise history.
Varitek now serves in the Red Sox organization as a special assistant to the GM, continuing his contributions to the franchise long after his playing days have ended.
Next: Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Wakefield was the other member of those two World Series teams that was included in this year’s class. He was originally drafted as a first baseman by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but when a scout told him he’d never make it to the big leagues as a position player, he pivoted down the unorthodox path of converting himself into a knuckleball pitcher. Turns out that was a smart choice.
The Red Sox picked Wakefield up off the scrap heap after Pittsburgh released him and he paid immediate dividends. In his first year in Boston, Wakefield won 16 games and posted a 2.95 ERA, which was good enough to finish third in Cy Young voting that year.
Wakefield would spend the rest of his career with the Red Sox, ending his career as the franchise’s all-time leader in starts (430) and innings pitched (3,006). He is also second in appearances (590) and strikeouts (2,046), as well as third in wins (186) in Red Sox history. He’s the only pitcher ever to make at least 200 starts and 150 relief appearances for the Red Sox.
He only made one All-Star appearance and finished with an unspectacular 4.41 ERA for his career, but Wakefield endeared himself to Red Sox Nation with his reliability and versatility. He was prepared and willing to do whatever the team asked of him – whether it be starting, being utilized as a long reliever out of the bullpen, or even briefly serving as the team’s closer.
Wakefield has remained active within the organization after his playing days ended in 2011. He was named as the Honorary Chairman of the Red Sox Foundation in 2013, continuing his charitable efforts in the community that he was well known for during his career. He also serves as a Special Assignment Instructor for the Red Sox and has worked with fellow knuckleball pitcher Steven Wright.
Next: Larry Lucchino
Larry Lucchino
Lucchino served as the Boston Red Sox President/CEO for 14 years, during which time the team made the playoffs seven times and won three World Series titles.
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The Red Sox had a string of 820 consecutive sellouts at Fenway Park during his tenure and he was instrumental in renovating one of the most beloved ballparks in baseball. While others pushed to tear down the park and build a more modern stadium, Lucchino was part of the group that fought to preserve Fenway by upgrading it and adding additional seating – including the most unique seats in baseball on top of the Green Monster in left field.
While John Henry is the principal owner of the Red Sox, Lucchino was considered the face of the ownership group during his tenure with the team. He was the most outspoken of the group and is the one that infamously referred to the Yankees as the “Evil Empire.”
Many of his greatest accomplishments have been made outside of baseball. Lucchino helped establish the Red Sox Foundation and increased the team’s commitment to the Jimmy Fund.
Lucchino did a lot of great things for this franchise, but he’s also associated with a few low points. He had a tendency to meddle with the decisions of the front office and is responsible for the disastrous Bobby Valentine hiring in 2012 and the embarrassing low-ball negotiations with Jon Lester in 2014.
Not every moment can be a highlight and Lucchino certainly had his flaws, but he did far more good than bad for this organization. Lucchino stepped down from his position in 2015, but remains active as a valuable resource.
Next: Ira Flagstead
Ira Flagstead
The late Ira Flagstead passed away in 1939, only nine years after his playing days ended. He spent 7 of his 13 seasons with the Red Sox, from 1923-1929.
Known primarily for his outstanding outfield defense, Flagstead is fondly remembered for starting three double-plays from center field in a Patriots Day game in 1926. During his time with the Red Sox he led all outfielders with 115 assists, including a major league-best 33 assists in 1923.
Flagstead was no slouch at the plate either, finishing his career as a .290 hitter with a .370 on-base percentage. His bat didn’t come with much pop, as he never had a season with double-digit home runs and finished his career with only 40, but he did hit 30+ doubles four times during his tenure with the Red Sox.
Flagstead hit .295 over 789 games with the Red Sox and earned votes on the MVP ballot in five consecutive years, including a 7th place finish in 1925.
Next: David Ortiz
David Ortiz
The panel also is responsible for selecting a “Memorable Moment” in Red Sox history, which this year went to David Ortiz for his grand slam in Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers.
Ortiz stepped to the plate with two outs in the 8th inning, bases loaded with the Red Sox trailing 5-1. Tigers reliever
Joaquin Benoitfired a fastball that caught too much of the plate and Big Papi made him pay, blasting a shot to right field that narrowly sailed over the outstretched glove of
Torii Hunterjust before the Tigers outfielder tumbled over the wall and into the bullpen.
The image would later be captured of Hunter’s legs up in the air, with Boston police officer Steve Horgan raising his arms in celebration behind him in the bullpen.
The Red Sox would go on to win the game in the 9th inning to even the series, which they eventually won in six games before advancing to the World Series, where they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to capture their third title in ten seasons.
With Ortiz playing out the final season of his epic career, it won’t be long before we see him inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame. In the meantime, he can take satisfaction in one of the most memorable moments of his career getting the recognition it deserves.