Longtime Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek retired Thursday after a 14-year career—all in Boston.
The three-time All-Star Varitek, who’s been team captain for the last seven seasons, had been relegated to backup duty in recent years after the team acquired Victor Martinez in 2009 and then current catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia in 2010.
The 39-year-old Varitek was acquired along with pitcher Derek Lowe for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb on July 31, 1997, in one of the more lopsided trades in history. Varitek would go on to catch a team-record 1,488 games, while Lowe is still pitching in the majors with Cleveland.
Varitek’s best seasons came from 2003–05 when he averaged 22 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .283 average, while collecting both a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Award.
