Totally emotional post here. I would like to see Varitek and Wakefield go out in a better way than last September. Gonna be strange not to see them on the team.
They're familiar faces and they've been on the team for a good chunk of my adult life. I know they outstayed their welcome. But still. There's something to be said for continuity. (and leaving when it's right, but that's been covered). Varitek had a big role on this team for a long time. He was a clubhouse leader in 2004 and 2007. He stuffed A-Rod's face. He was the catcher for Pedro, Schilling, Beckett, Foulke and Papelbon. From this fan's view, the last couple years, he could have presented himself as an elder sox statesman and he didn't. Even as a back up catcher, he could taken that leadership role. It seemed to me that he presented himself in a way that appeared more peevish and clique-y . I am not in the clubhouse, I don't know crap, that's just my perception. I wanted him to go out better, not like a horse that needs to be shot, but a huge part of this community waving goodbye. Would love to see him become a manager.
As for Wakes, he was on the team when President Clinton was in his first term. I mean, it's been forever. He's the guy who gave up the homer to Boone in 2003 and got the ball for the first game of the world series in 2004. I think his quote in which "fans deserved to see him get the record" was regrettable but people say weird stuff. Wakes has taken more of a beating than Varitek in the persona non grata department. But if you have worked at a children's hospital or know people who have, (my mom) you may have a soft spot for him. He didn't announce it to the media, but he visited lots of children wards and gave a lot back to the community. Of the players who I've heard are genuinely good people off the field, his name always comes up. He's had his snarky moments ("I just work here.") but even more than Varitek, I wish he had left a season earlier so there wouldn't be a bad taste in my mouth. I lieu of that, I wish I lived in a world where he gets a chance to takes that 5th spot, puts up one of his patented dancing knuckleball streaks and break the record and leave. As I said, purely emotional.
I think the team needed some change, but can we have someone leave with their head held high? These two guys have put a lot of time in the uniform. Children have born and raised, marriage and divorces, classic players come and gone, and they were still here. In the collapse of September this seems to forgotten... in the globe comments section, sometimes even on here, it's a bit odd to see people dismissing these guys like used dishrags. I know they have money to comfort them, but still. We may have moved on, it'll be strange not to see them on the team next year. They should get some recognition.
Edited by Bernard Gilkey baby, 13 January 2012 - 05:52 PM.
