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Red Sox Hall of Fame: Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield enshrined

By Sean Penney

May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees (L to R) Jason Varitek, Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield throw out the first pitch before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductees (L to R) Jason Varitek, Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield throw out the first pitch before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee Jason Varitek waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch with fellow inductees Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield (not pictured) before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; 2016 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee Jason Varitek waves to the crowd before throwing out the first pitch with fellow inductees Larry Lucchino and Tim Wakefield (not pictured) before the start of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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 Rodriguez

had some words for

Bronson Arroyo

after 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 Martinez

took 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

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