Varitek: Boston's Greastest Catcher?

[king_ghidora]

Despite the long, storied, and tragic (in a Green Tragedy way) history of the Boston Red Sox, there have been few catchers who truly stood out. Even the player most commonly celebrated in the postion, Fisk, spent more years with the White Sox than he did with Boston. With Chicago constantly staking its claims to Fisk, Boston's history seemed to lack a truly great catcher it could call all its own.

Until now. Until 'Tek.

Which begs a serious question: Is V-Tek the all-time Red Sox catcher? Granted, his career isn't over yet, but he appears to be on his way to being a career Red Sox player. He calls a great game, works well with pitchers, swings a good stick, and, as his status as Captain proves, he has tremendous leadership skills. If there was to be an all-Red Sox Legends team, who would be the starting catcher?

[TheKingofKings]

Which begs a serious question: Is V-Tek the all-time Red Sox catcher? Granted, his career isn't over yet, but he appears to be on his way to being a career Red Sox player. He calls a great game, works well with pitchers, swings a good stick, and, as his status as Captain proves, he has tremendous leadership skills. If there was to be an all-Red Sox Legends team, who would be the starting catcher?

Yah but he still can't catch Wakefield

[WJackman]

I would consider Fisk the best offensive catcher to play for the Red Sox and Rick Ferrell the best defensive catcher. I would wait to see how Varitek ends his career before making a final decision but calling the best catcher in Red Sox history might work based on longevity.

[FlashGordon]

I would consider Fisk the best offensive catcher to play for the Red Sox and Rick Ferrell the best defensive catcher. I would wait to see how Varitek ends his career before making a final decision but calling the best catcher in Red Sox history might work based on longevity.

Comparing Jason's fielding numbers with Rick Ferrell's, Varitek is very comparable, at least those numbers racked up in a Red Sox uniform. Also, when comparing numbers we can learn a lot about a player's production on the field, but nothing about that player's non-quantifiable contributions. More than any other catcher in Red Sox history, Jason is the embodiment of catcher. He provides a leadership presence that pitchers respond to and fellow team mates respect. I think, more than any other catcher, Varitek is shaping up to be Boston's Yogi Berra. Not quite the character that Berra was, Jason's savvy is going to make him a fine manager one day and that expectation makes him especially exciting to watch. I don't think it's a coincidence that after more than 30 years without a no-hitter, the Red Sox had 2 in back-to-back years, each time with 'Tek behind the plate.

[runningshoes]

Anyone remember a guy named Carlton Fisk?

[DoubleX]

The difference between Fisk and Varitek, for me at least, is a lot closer than I thought it would have been. Fisk is easily a top 10 All-Time catcher, Varitek might crack the top 30 when all is said and done. However, a lot of Fisk's claim to fame is his longevity and consistency, and his longevity and consistency was mostly displayed during his 13 seasons with the White Sox. That is not to say that he didn't have some great seasons for the Red Sox, because he did, but when all is said and done, Varitek could have just as many good seasons with the Sox as Fisk does. However, Fisk does get a push because it was more difficult to hit homeruns in his era, so the fact that he hit 26 twice with the Red Sox is more impressive than Varitek's high of 25. So for right now, I gotta stick with Fisk, but Varitek is making it close.

[FlashGordon]

This article from the Boston Globe highlights what we Varitek fans already know, that Jason behind the plate makes every pitcher better. After racking up an ERA of 18.90 in Spring Training, Bronson Arroyo pitched 5 scoreless today. The team just feels different when he's around.

[CuriousBoston]

Somebody edit title of thread!

Please refer to my signature.

[KCGHOST]

During Fisk's years in Boston he was a very good offensive player by any measure. Varitek trails hims quite aways in that category.

[WackyMooseSoltersFan]

Tek may be the Captain, but Fisk was a legend. A giant. Tek's got leadership and 2004, the greatest season in the history of Boston baseball going for him. So I think history will tell.

[WackyMooseSoltersFan]

Please refer to my signature.

I never thought of Tek asa future manager, but boy, I could see it now.

[RedSoxVT92]

Both Fisk and Vartiek are very good red sox catchers. Fisk is still considered the best catcher of the red sox but if varitek can stay with the red sox, stay healthy and produce for a little while longer he will probably take that title. I dont think there is as much of a gap between varitek and fisk for best catcher of the red sox because fisk spent more time in chicago than with boston ( Fisk had only 6 seasons with 100 or more games with the red sox) and we are talking about the best red sox catcher. So this is only looking at there time with the BoSox. Fisk is still the best Red Sox catcher right now but varitek doesnt have a whole lot of ground to cover.

[SoxSon]

Tek's got...2004

This may prove to be the difference maker.

[wily]

Fisk or varitak are the best boston red sox catchers.(in my opinion.)

[FlashGordon]

This little tidbit comes from Stephen Hawkins of the AP:

... Varitek was the starting catcher for the seventh straight opener. No other Red Sox catcher has even started seven openers. ...