Captain Tek Is Back!

Admit it, the whole Varitek Saga was starting to get a little annoying. Petulance and bad feelings seemed to be lingering on both sides of the negotiating abyss. But, deep down, you knew he had to come back. A bad market and a bad 2008 meant that no other team was going to cough up a 1st round pick for a 37-year old catcher.

But, of course, to us he is much more than just another old catcher. He is the Captain, he is the embodiment of what it is to be a Red Sox lifer. For God's sake, he literally went to battle with the Icon Of Evil—mano y diablo. And that watershed event kicked off 2004's miracle championship run. Sure, his handling of the pitching staff might be a little overstated—but not by much. Just listen to Papelbon and Timlin and Schilling. This is not just blind loyalty they're spouting. They talk about a battery partner that knows more about the opposing lineup than they do—and about their own strengths and weakness against that lineup.

His offensive skills may have diminished, but his leadership skills are as keen as they were 12 years ago when he arrived with Derek Lowe in one of the biggest swindles in MLB history (thank you, Dan Duquette). I, for one, am thrilled that Tek will be patrolling behind the plate for at least one more year. The stars are now properly re-aligned.

Retire "The Babe" At Fenway

Lord knows, the NOG (New Ownership Group) has never been bereft of new and innovate ideas to promote their $700 million investment. But, since the departure of Dr. Charles for the Left Coast, they seem to be dragging a little bit on the creativity end. So, FenwayNation is coming to the rescue. Why don't we acknowledge perhaps the greatest all-around player to ever don a Red Sox uniform—one George Herman Ruth—by retiring his name (he never wore a number with us) on the right-field Wall Of Honor? OK, OK before you berate me for suggesting that we pay homage to a guy who is best remembered as a Yankee legend and the creator of a mythic curse, hear me out.

First of all, the curse was sheer nonsense—conjured up in the fertile mind of the CHB. And besides, it's broken already! Second, Babe Ruth was a major contributor to two of the three Red Sox World Championship teams he played on (1916 and 1918). In those two World Series, he pitched a total of 31 innings—notching a 0.87 ERA and 3 wins. And the one hit he got in the 1918 tilt was a triple knocking in 2 runs. In the regular 1918 season, in addition to winning 13 games as a pitcher (including 18 complete games), he batted .300 and clouted 11 home runs. But he won so many rings with the Empire, you say. Oh really? Actually he won exactly one more ring with the Yankees than the Red Sox (4 versus 3).

So, after we place #14 on the board next year some time, I say we add "The Babe" in 2012—the 100th Anniversary of the Fenway Park in which Ruth enjoyed his first taste of glory.

Masterson Is OK With Any '09 Role

In an exclusive interview with FenwayNation.com, Sox pitcher Justin Masterson said he was fine with the Red Sox plan to "stretch him out" as a starting pitcher, since he has had the mind set of a starter his whole baseball career. Despite pitching mostly out the bullpen in 2008, and despite plans to have him work in relief again in 2009, the Red Sox have indicated that Masterson will be working out this Spring Training with an eye toward possibly starting as well. With the myriad of injury-possible arms on the staff (Smoltz, Penny, Beckett), and the uncertainty of 2008's heavy innings load on Dice-K and Lester, having a strong young arm like Masterson at the ready (and Buchholz if he's not traded for catching) seems prudent.

Masterson, who was only scheduled for a "cup of coffee" role last year, became a major contributor in the club's run to the ALCS. He began his big league stint as a starter and was later moved to the bullpen. In 36 appearances (and 9 starts) last year, he compiled a 6-5 record with a 3.16 ERA. He yielded 20 fewer hits than innings pitched--often regarded as the best barometer of a pitcher's dominance--and improved his ERA later in the year after the switch to the 'pen. In the post-season, he was a revelation--posting a 1.86 ERA in 9 appearances.

The young right-hander spoke to FenwayNation during a break in his participation in a Jimmy Fund charity event at Jillian's Boston-- around the corner from Fenway Park. Masterson is a legitimate candidate for the "head-screwed-on-right" award, stating, "Start, relieve, it doesn't really matter to me. I just think it's cool being able to pitch in the Major Leagues." Actually, his presence at the Jimmy Fund event on a cold Saturday morning in January is really all the evidence you need.

More Than Ever, We Need A New Fenway Park

The dramatic and depressing loss of free-agent Mark Teixeira again throws the spotlight on the 800-pound gorilla that may tarnish the otherwise brilliant legacy of this new ownership group—the failure to provide a 21-century venue for the fans of the Boston Red Sox. If you needed further proof of the economic necessity of a New Fenway, just read John Henry's words: "... with a new stadium filled with revenue opportunities, they have leaped away from us again." Indeed. And what does that mean on a practical basis? No matter how lustful Young Theo is for a given player, the Empire has the financial wherewithal to blow us out of the water. They can charge $1200 for one box seat in their palatial new digs, while we slave-drive Janet Marie Smith to creatively shoe-horn 38,000 into a near 100-year old relic. A cool relic, to be sure. But a relic nonetheless. I love Fenway Park as much as anyone—I grew up watching Ted Williams and Frank Malzone and Jackie Jensen play there. But even my experiences were half a century ago! When will we finally face up to the need for a bright, new spacious replica of Fenway Park? Perhaps, when the next ownership group finds itself perennially in the cellar of the AL East with no fans and no future.