Varitek catching on after catching break On the spot: Georgia Tech product is making strides after getting a chance to play every day for the Red Sox.
( The Atlanta Journal and Constitution ) Karen Rosen, Staff; 07-11-1999
As a former catcher, Boston first baseman Mike Stanley can appreciate the multifarious challenge thrown at Jason Varitek. "He and I kid all the time," Stanley said, "especially in a game like (Friday's 5-4 Red Sox victory against the Braves). He goes, 'Just tell me you miss it,' and I said, 'No way!' To have your closer be a knuckleball guy, how much pressure can a guy have?"
Varitek, a former Georgia Tech standout, catches pure heat from starters like Pedro Martinez and Bret Saberhagen, then the heat is really on when Tim Wakefield finishes off opponents with 70 mph knuckleballs.
"It doesn't matter if you've got a softball pitcher up there," Varitek said of the warm-up to Wakefield. Making the adjustment is as far- reaching as his grabs for the ball.
"When you grow up, you catch fastball, curveball, slider, split, change . . . and he throws a knuckleball," Varitek said. "So it's learn-on-the-job training."
Of his 15 passed balls this season, 13 have been delivered by Wakefield. But Stanley said Varitek, 27, catches the knuckleballer better than anyone he's seen.
"You're going to miss some," said Varitek. "He doesn't know where it's going, so how am I supposed to know where it's going?"
At least the burly catcher knows where his career is going. After playing only minor-league ball with Seattle, he was traded to Boston two years ago. In his second full season in the majors, he's considered the most improved player in Beantown.
Varitek, who will spend the All-Star break at home in Suwanee with his wife, Karen, has played every day since Scott Hatteberg was injured in mid-May. The two had platooned for two seasons. Hatteberg had elbow surgery on May 24 and was expected to be out 10-12 weeks.
"It's unfortunate for the other catcher that he went down, but it' s been fortunate for me to get a chance to get in there every day, " Varitek said. "I've got to keep progressing. I'm far from where I want to be and I think I can be."
Yet the way he's playing, the three-time Yellow Jacket All-American may not have to share the position when Hatteberg returns. A switch- hitter, he is batting almost .250 and has a career-high nine home runs. Manager Jimy Williams praises his intelligence in working with pitchers.
"He sure makes a case for himself," said Stanley. "He's going to get a second look next time instead of just a straight platoon."
Martinez, the All-Star pitcher, feels Varitek has learned quickly and is becoming "a complete catcher."
"He's a very smart catcher," Martinez said. "He has my vote for the next few years as one of the best catchers in the game."
Nomar Garciaparra, who played with "Tek" at Tech, isn't surprised by his success.
"I know what he's capable of doing," said the All-Star shortstop. "It's just a matter of comfort level and knowing your role."
Don't forget preparation. Varitek's work ethic is legendary. "He' s unbelievable," said Garciaparra, no slouch himself.
At spring training, Varitek was seen hitting at 7:30 a.m.
"He's always early," said Williams.
"Yeah, but that's only an hour and a half before we start," protested Varitek, who says he needs more time to practice from both sides. "I know I'm not the most gifted player in the world. I have to do the little things to get by."
From his history, Varitek has been doing that since he was 12 years old. He has played in the Little League World Series, the College World Series and the 1992 Olympic Games, as well as the Florida high school state championship and the Cape Cod championship.
All that's missing from his resume is the World Series.
"Hopefully it'll continue to go along in the same pattern," said Varitek, who, alas, was victorious in only the latter two. "We just have to wait and see."
Just like he does with the knuckleballs.