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My favorite Boston Red Sox players all-time at each position

By Sean Penney

Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox David Ortiz (R) is congratulated his solo homer by teammate Manny Ramirez in the top of the first innings against Japan's Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game in the Tokyo Dome on March 22, 2008.The Boston Red Sox managed a narrow 6-5 victory against Tigers in an exhibition game here, days ahead of the official season opening games against the Oakland Athletics. AFP PHOTO / KAZUHIRO NOGI (Photo credit should read KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Catcher – Jason  Varitek

Carlton Fisk is the best catcher in franchise history but he changed his Sox by moving to Chicago before I was born. That leaves Jason Varitek as the easy choice for my list.

The Captain came to Boston along with Derek Lowe in one of the most lopsided trades in franchise history with the Seattle Mariners. Varitek made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 1997 with a hit in his first career at-bat and emerged as a regular part of the backstop platoon the following year.

Varitek spent his entire 15-year career with the Red Sox, hitting .256/.341/.435 with 193 home runs and 757 RBI.

The three-time All-Star put up a few strong seasons at the plate but his primary value wasn’t his bat. He was a strong defensive catcher who earned a Gold Glove in 2005. Varitek was considered to be among the best game-calling catchers in his day and he holds the major league record for catching four no-hitters.

Varitek was a leader in the clubhouse and on the field, earning the respect of his teammates and the fans.

His offensive production doesn’t stack up against the elite catchers enshrined in Cooperstown but Varitek’s best traits can’t be measured by statistics. He was a vital member of two World Series championship teams and earned a well-deserved induction into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

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