History of Jason Varitek in Timeline

Jason Varitek, nicknamed "Tek", is a former MLB catcher who played his entire 15-year career with the Boston Red Sox. Traded to the Red Sox as a minor league prospect, he became a cornerstone of the team, earning three All-Star selections, a Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger Award. Varitek was a key leader on the 2004 and 2007 World Series championship teams. In 2004, he was named captain of the Red Sox, becoming only the fourth captain since 1923. More recently, he served as game planning coordinator for the Red Sox.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1923: Red Sox Captains Since

Since 1923, only four Red Sox players were honored as team captain.

April 11, 1972: Jason Varitek's Birth

On April 11, 1972, Jason Andrew Varitek, nicknamed "Tek", was born. He would later become a professional baseball coach and former catcher.

1984: Little League World Series

In 1984, Jason Varitek played in the Little League World Series, leading his Altamonte Springs, Florida, team to victory in the United States Championship bracket with a 4–2 victory over Southport, Indiana.

1990: High School State Championship

In 1990, Jason Varitek's Lake Brantley High School baseball team won the Florida state championship and was recognized as the number one high school baseball team in the nation by a USA Today poll.

1990: State Championship Win

In 1990, Jason Varitek's team, the Lake Brantley High School Patriots, won the state championship.

1991: Cape Cod Baseball League

In 1991, Jason Varitek played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) for the Hyannis Mets.

1992: Summer Olympics

In 1992, Jason Varitek was a member of the U.S. national baseball team at the Summer Olympics.

1993: CCBL Batting Title and MVP

In 1993, Jason Varitek hit .371 for Hyannis in the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), won the league batting title, and was named the league's MVP.

1993: Drafted by Minnesota Twins

In 1993, Jason Varitek was drafted 21st overall in the first round by the Minnesota Twins, but chose to return for his senior year of college.

1994: College World Series and Awards

In 1994, Jason Varitek helped lead the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball team to the College World Series title game. He also received the Baseball America College Player of the Year Award and won the Dick Howser Trophy for national collegiate player of the year.

1994: Drafted by Seattle Mariners

In 1994, after graduating college, Jason Varitek signed with agent Scott Boras and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the amateur draft, with the 14th pick overall.

1995: Joins Port City Roosters

In 1995, Jason Varitek joined the Seattle Mariners' Double-A affiliate, the Port City Roosters, where he first met pitcher Derek Lowe.

September 24, 1997: MLB Debut

On September 24, 1997, Jason Varitek was called up for a single game and collected a single in his only at-bat.

1997: Traded to the Red Sox

In 1997, Jason Varitek was traded to the Boston Red Sox along with Derek Lowe in exchange for Heathcliff Slocumb. This is often considered one of the best trades in Red Sox history.

1998: Splitting Time as Catcher

During the 1998 season, Jason Varitek split time with Scott Hatteberg as catcher, playing in 86 games for the Red Sox.

1999: Breakout Season

1999 was a breakout season for Jason Varitek, playing 144 games, hitting .269 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs. Varitek also played in the ALDS and ALCS. He set a postseason record by scoring five runs in a game during the ALDS.

1999: Red Sox First Playoff Appearance

In 1999, the Red Sox had their first playoff appearance since 1999.

2000: Offensive Disappointment

The 2000 season was a disappointment offensively for Jason Varitek, with a .248 average, 10 home runs, and 65 RBI. The Red Sox did not qualify for the postseason that year.

July 2001: Web Gem Appearance

In July 2001, Jason Varitek made a top Web Gem play after diving to catch a foul ball on June 7, resulting in a broken left elbow that sidelined him for the rest of the season.

2002: Full-Time Return

In 2002, Jason Varitek returned to the Red Sox lineup full-time, though he initially struggled offensively. His preparation and knowledge of the game began to greatly assist the pitchers.

2002: Induction into CCBL Hall of Fame

In 2002, Jason Varitek was inducted into the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) Hall of Fame.

2003: All-Star Selection and Playoff Appearance

In 2003, Jason Varitek had his best season to date, earning his first All-Star selection. He finished the season with a .273 average, 25 home runs, and 85 RBI. The Red Sox earned a Wild Card berth, their first playoff appearance since 1999.

December 2004: Named Captain of the Red Sox

In December 2004, Jason Varitek was named the captain of the Boston Red Sox, becoming only the fourth captain since 1923.

2004: World Series Championship and Brawl

In 2004, Jason Varitek had a career-high .296 batting average and 18 home runs. He shoved his glove into Alex Rodriguez's face during a game on July 24, causing a bench-clearing brawl. The Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, their first in 86 years.

2005: Identified as Evangelical Christian

In 2005, Jason Varitek identified as an evangelical Christian.

2005: Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards

In 2005, Jason Varitek won his first Gold Glove Award, his first Silver Slugger, and his second All-Star selection.

July 31, 2006: Injury

On July 31, 2006, Jason Varitek was injured rounding the bases, requiring surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee. This occurred during his 1,000th career game as catcher.

2006: Red Sox Heart and Hustle Award

In 2006, Jason Varitek received the Red Sox Heart and Hustle Award from the MLB Players Alumni Association and was honored for catching 1,000 games as a Red Sox catcher.

2006: World Baseball Classic

In 2006, Jason Varitek represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic and hit a grand slam against Canada.

2007: Second World Series Win

In 2007, Jason Varitek and the Red Sox won their second World Series in four years. During the season, Varitek recorded his 1,000th career hit.

May 19, 2008: Catches Fourth No-Hitter

On May 19, 2008, Jason Varitek caught Jon Lester's no-hitter, setting a major league record of having caught four no-hitters in his career.

2008: Free Agency

At the end of the 2008 season, Jason Varitek elected free agency.

2008: Divorced First Wife

In 2008, Jason Varitek divorced his first wife, with whom he had three daughters.

February 6, 2009: Signs New Deal with Red Sox

On February 6, 2009, Jason Varitek signed a new one-year deal with the Red Sox worth $5 million, including an option for 2010.

December 2, 2010: Signs One-Year Deal

On December 2, 2010, Jason Varitek signed a one-year, $2 million deal to stay with the Red Sox for the 2011 season.

2010: Contract Option

Jason Varitek had a contract option with the red Sox for 2010

November 26, 2011: Married Second Wife

On November 26, 2011, Jason Varitek married his second wife.

2011: Free Agency

After the 2011 season, Jason Varitek became a free agent again.

2011: Limited Play Time

During the 2011 season, with the addition of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek primarily came off the bench, playing in 68 games for the Red Sox.

2011: Captain Until Retirement

Jason Varitek remained captain of the Red Sox until his retirement after the 2011 season.

March 1, 2012: Retirement Announcement

On March 1, 2012, Jason Varitek officially announced his retirement at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida.

May 26, 2012: Birth of First Child with Second Wife

On May 26, 2012, Jason Varitek and his second wife welcomed their first child.

September 27, 2012: Named Special Assistant to the General Manager

On September 27, 2012, Jason Varitek was appointed as special assistant to the Red Sox general manager, Ben Cherington. In this position, Varitek was expected to contribute to major league personnel decisions, player evaluations, and the mentorship and instruction of young players.

March 2018: Role as Special Assistant to President of Baseball Operations

In March 2018, Jason Varitek's role was "special assistant to the president of baseball operations" within the Red Sox organization.

2019: Not in Front-Office Directory

During the 2019 season, Jason Varitek was not appearing in the Red Sox front-office directory.

November 20, 2020: Named Game Planning Coordinator

On November 20, 2020, Jason Varitek was named to the uniformed coaching role of game planning coordinator on manager Alex Cora's staff, marking a shift in his responsibilities within the Red Sox organization.

2021: Title Changed to Player Information Coach

Before the 2021 season, Jason Varitek's title was changed to player information coach.

November 2, 2022: Signed Contract Extension with Boston

On November 2, 2022, Jason Varitek signed a three-year contract extension to remain on Boston's coaching staff, ensuring his continued involvement with the team.