Olympics -- 1992

Jason Varitek hit .286 for the U.S. Olympic Team in Spain in 1992. (Photo by Bob Martin/Getty Images)

College World Series -- 1994

Jason Varitek made the All-Tournament Team in the 1994 College World Series, when he was part of the Georgia Tech team that made the finals. (Photo by: Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

Spring Training -- 1998

Jason Varitek warms up during his first spring training with the Red Sox in 1998. (Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport)

Opening Series -- 1998

Jason Varitek stands in on April 2, 1998, his second game ever in a Red Sox uniform (he made one appearance in 1997). (Photo Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport)

No. 47 -- 1998

Jason Varitek wore the jersey No. 47 until late 1999 before switching to No. 33. No. 47 would eventually be worn by manager Terry Francona. (Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Varitek and Posada -- 1998

Jason Varitek catches while Jorge Posada hits at Yankee Stadium in May 1998. The two would be rocks in the AL East for the next decade-plus. (Photo Credit: Ezra C. Shaw /Allsport)

Tek and Nomar -- 1999

Former Georgia Tech teammates, Jason Varitek was reunited with Nomar Garciaparra in Boston. (Photo credit: Dan Levine/AFP/Getty Images)

Pedro and Tek -- 2000

Jason Varitek caught Pedro Martinez 168 times, with Pedro posting a 2.45 ERA over 1133.1 innings. (Photo credit Mark E. Johnson/AFP/Getty Images)

All-Star Game -- 2003

Jason Varitek made his first All-Star Game in 2003, when he hit .306 with 16 homers and 56 RBIs in the first half of the season. (Photo by Matthew Stockmanl/Getty Images)

Eric Byrnes -- 2003

Jason Varitek applied a tag to Eric Byrnes after the Oakland A missed the plate on a collision during the ALDS in 2003. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

ALDS -- 2003

Jason Varitek stands on third base during the 2003 ALDS against the Oakland A's. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Cowboy Up -- 2003

Varitek sported the Cowboy Up look in the 2003 ALCS with facial hair and a shaved head. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Brawl -- 2004

Jason Varitek shoves Alex Rodriguez, igniting a brawl in July 2004 that would later be credited as the spark the Red Sox needed. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

ALCS Game 6 -- 2004

Jason Varitek hits a two-run homer in the fourth inning of Game 6, giving the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. The Red Sox eventually won 4-2 to force a Game 7. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

ALCS Game 7 -- 2004

Alan Embree embraces Jason Varitek as the Red Sox celebrate beating the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Game 2, World Series -- 2004

Jason Varitek slides into third after hitting his two-run triple in the bottom of the first inning. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Game 4, World Series -- 2004

Jason Varitek leaps into Keith Foulke's arms after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Captain -- 2005

Jason Varitek was named captain before the 2005 season, and he debuted the "C" on his chest that season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Walk-Off At Fenway -- 2005

Jason Varitek celebrates a walk-off home run against Oakland at Fenway Park on May 11, 2005. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Posada Collision -- 2005

Jason Varitek collides with Jorge Posada in September 2005. Teams wore a Red Cross logo on their helmets in support of Hurricane Katrina relief. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

World Baseball Classic -- 2006

Jason Varitek celebrates a home run against Canada in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Varitek went 2-for-7 with four RBIs in the tournament. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Tek & Tito -- 2006

Terry Francona pats Jason Varitek on the head after a win over the Mets in 2006. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Honoring Auerbach -- 2007

Jason Varitek celebrates a home run against the Yankees in April 2007. The Sox wore green jerseys to honor Red Auerbach, who passed away the previous October. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Game 7, ALCS -- 2007

Jonathan Papelbon celebrates with Jason Varitek after the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians in the 2007 ALCS to advance to the World Series. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Game 4, World Series -- 2007

Jason Varitek catches a warmup pitch from Jon Lester during Game 4 of the 2007 World Series. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Game 4, World Series -- 2007

Jason Varitek raises his fist as he celebrates with Jonathan Papelbon after the Red Sox won the World Series in Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

White House Visit -- 2008

Jason Varitek presents President George W. Bush with a jersey during the Red Sox' trip to the White House in 2008. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Japan -- 2008

Jason Varitek talks with reporters during the Red Sox' trip to Japan to begin the 2008 season. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Jon Lester No-Hitter, 2008

Jason Varitek celebrates Jon Lester's no-hitter in May 2008. Lester became the fourth pitcher to throw a no-hitter with Varitek catching, joining Derek Lowe, Hideo Nomo and Clay Buchholz. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Captain America -- 2009

Jason Varitek sports U.S.-themed catching equipment on July 4, 2008. The equipment was later auctioned off for charity. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Early Farewell -- 2010

With his contract situation unsettled and his future uncertain, Jason Varitek was pulled from a game in October 2010 in order for the fans to offer him their appreciation. The farewell was premature, as Varitek returned for the 2011 season. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Wake & Tek -- 2011

Jason Varitek celebrates with Tim Wakefield after the knuckleballer won his 200th MLB game in September 2011. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The End -- 2011

Jason Varitek warms up in Baltimore for what would turn out to be his final series with the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)