Varitek has worn a Red Sox jersey throughout his entire major league career. Although he was signed by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the amateur draft in 1994, he started in the Mariners' minor league season in 1995. He was traded to the Red Sox in 1997. That year saw his first major league at-bat, the only one for the season, in which he hit a single. He played 86 games the following year and by 1999 earned the role as starting catcher.
Although he has sometimes had disappointing years as a batter, by 2002 Varitek became known as a catcher who studies scouting reports and videos to prepare himself and his pitchers to meet opposing teams. Consequently, pitchers, coaches and managers find his presence on the team invaluable.
The 2004 season saw Varitek put up his best numbers. With his batting average of .296 that year, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 73 runs, Varitek helped to lead the guys in the Red Sox jerseys to their first World Series championship in 86 years. Oddly, the Sox seemed to be inspired to victory that year by a bench-clearing brawl that started when Varitek thrust his glove in Alex Rodriguez's face to stop A-Rod from turning on pitcher Bronson Arroyo. After the July 24 brawl, the Red Sox posted the best record in baseball, propelling them into the play-offs and the World Series.
Varitek was appointed captain of the team before the start of the 2005 season. He is only the third captain of the Red Sox since 1923, the others being Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice. The honorary title of captain gives him responsibility for teamwork while the game is in play. The only other current captains are Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox and Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees. 2005 also saw Varitek win the Silver Slugger Award and the Gold Glove Award and be selected for the All-Star Team. He was also selected for the All-Star Team in 2003 and 2008.
On July 18, 2006, Jason Varitek caught his 991st game, surpassing Carlton Fisk's previous record of 990 and making him the catchingest catcher in a Boston Red Sox jersey. Later that month, he was injured playing his 1,000th game, and was out for a time for surgery to repair a torn ligament in his knee. He was able to return before the end of the season.
With his 1,000th game behind him, Varitek reached a comparable milestone as a batter with his 1,000th hit. And he joined the Red Sox in their return to the World Series that year, winning for the championship for the second time in four years.
With his contract expiring at the end of 2008, Varitek opted for free agency. He rejected the Red Sox' offer of arbitration as his agent, Scott Boras, tried to negotiate a better offer for him. No better offer materialized, however, and Varitek re-signed with the Red Sox for $5,000,000 for 2009, with an option on 2010. The 2009 contract is approximately half of what he earned in 2008 and of what he could expect to sign for if he had accepted arbitration when it was offered.
Varitek's career on winning teams dates back to Little League. As a twelve-year-old, he played in the Little League World Series and while a student at Georgia Tech he played in the College World Series. He is one of only two ball players to have hit that trifecta. More than that, he is the only player to have played in those three World Series as well as on the Olympic Baseball Team and in the World Baseball Classic.
Varitek has a life-time batting average of .263 and has hit 161 home runs and batten in 654. His on-base percentage is .346. He is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed.
Varitek is active in the community, having engaged in charity events to benefit Boston Children's Hospital as well as literacy programs. When he was named captain, he released a "Captain's Cabernet," the proceeds of which benefit Children's Hospital. He won the 2006 Red Sox Heart and Hustle Award, an award given by the MLB Players Alumni Association to a player who represents the "values, spirit and tradition of the game."
Jason Varitek has had a wonderful career as a guy in a Boston Red Sox jersey.
