Tek Embracing Role for Sox

If the Red Sox decided to strip Jason Varitek of the "C" on his jersey, it would only be because he is no longer an everyday player. But if you asked any of the players in that clubhouse who their leaders are, I still have a feeling the guys would put 'Tek right into the discussion.

Varitek, who turns 39 this April, has transitioned rather smoothly into his new role as a backup catcher to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Each season prior to starting his training, the Sox all-time leader in games caught has a procedure he goes through to see whether or not he's ready to start training. If he can walk down a set of stairs straight, he's ready. If he's walking down them a little bit sideways, he needs more recovery time. This season was the earliest he was ever walking straight, indicating he was fresh and ready to go. Why is that so, being nearly 40 years old already?

'Tek is coming off one of the less strenuous seasons of his career, surrendering his starting duties to Victor Martinez last year. Even though Martinez is gone, Jarrod Saltalamacchia figures to step in as Boston's everyday catcher this season, leaving Varitek to, essentially, be Tim Wakefield's designated catcher. Given the emotional tension at the end of last season, when Varitek wasn't even sure he was staying in Beantown, it's a role he's willing and happy to take on.

"My kids were upset for a good two hours after I got done with icing and talking to the media and doing those things after [the last game of 2010], and I realized that they grew up here," Varitek explained. "It wasn't just me that grew up here. It presented me with an emotional time, but at that point, it was out of my control. I did things well enough and got better in enough areas where I knew there was a good chance I could help a team. Hopefully it was going to be here, and it turned out to be that way."

It's like Boston has added a player and a coach in one roster spot. Varitek may only play one out of every five days this year, but he is the most valuable mentor that Saltalamacchia will have in his developing years. The same goes for any other young player looking for advice in the day-to-day endeavors of a major league baseball player. Getting your body ready and healthy, keeping your mental health stable, and enduring the other rigors in the life of a major leaguer. Hell, Varitek knows a little bit about that -- having caught 1,421 games, the 39-year-old is still chugging along and looking to join the likes of Carlton Fisk and Bob Boone, who each caught for the Sox into their 40s.

If you ask me, there's no doubt that Varitek will manage someday. He has a brilliant baseball mind, and that's part of the reason you can put him into the discussion regarding the best Red Sox catchers in the last century. Sure, his offensive numbers have never been stellar. But for a guy who has caught so many no-hitters, so many special pitching performances, donned the "C" on his jersey for such an historic franchise, and led his squad to two World Series championships -- why not?

Either way, the Red Sox and Red Sox nation alike are proud to have #33 suiting up for them again this season, doing the things he always has done to help his teammates grow and improve.