While he hasn’t donned a Boston Red Sox uniform since 2011, it’s safe to say that Jason Varitek is an institution in New England. And a special moment involving Varitek and a Sox fan has reminded baseball fans of just how important he is to the Boston faithful.
The three-time All-Star and Gold Glove Award-winning catcher was spending the day at Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire with his family when his daughter spotted a man wearing a Red Sox jersey with his name on it. Varitek’s wife Catherine started filming as the longtime Boston player approached the man without letting on to his identity.
Kids pointed out a guy in a #Varitek shirt at @CanobieLakePark ….
So we hit him with a sneak attack! #RedSox #SoHappy #Kindness pic.twitter.com/YhyKUQzLUV
— Catherine Varitek (@CatherinVaritek) August 16, 2022
“Let me ask you, how is the pizza?” Varitek says as he approaches the man, who is eating a slice.
“It’s just microwavable pizza,” the unimpressed man responds.
Varitek continues to play along and asks for some food recommendations until Catherine says “I like your T-shirt.”
The man explains he’s a big fan of Tek and says that “sometimes you still see him at the games though,” which is true since Varitek is now on the Red Sox coaching staff.
That’s when the two-time World Series champ breaks the facade.
“Hello, I’m Jason,” says Varitek as he reaches out to shake his hand.
“Dude,” the man responds before giving Varitek a hug. “Oh my God, it’s Jason Varitek, dude, you got me…What are the odds — oh my God.”
As you can imagine, the responses and reactions were pretty positive.
This is so very wholesome https://t.co/3ZmvmMAaFh
— Eddie Makuch (@EddieMakuch) August 16, 2022
This is so classy and just awesome! Way to go @CatherinVaritek #KindnessMatters #RedSoxNation https://t.co/HMEWPpZ3F6
— Hanna Switlekowski (@HannaSwit) August 16, 2022
Dude was ready to have a whole conversation about Jason Varitek without realizing he was talking to Jason Varitek pic.twitter.com/0hEvHY4sSt
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 16, 2022
This is tremendous https://t.co/j3t2ehIhqA
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 16, 2022
this is incredible. also CLP slaps. #RedSox https://t.co/iyxjf7tz5N
— Chris Brockman (@chrisbrockman) August 16, 2022
It’s a good reminder that if you’re out somewhere in New England wearing a Jason Varitek jersey, there’s always a chance you might run into him. So make sure you remind yourself what he looks like before you head out.
