FORT MYERS, Fla. - With Jason Varitek on the verge of announcing his retirement, the Red Sox will lose more than a catcher. They also will be without their captain, Varitek having held that position for seven years.
Manager Bobby Valentine has no plans to name a successor.
“I hadn’t planned on that,’’ he said. “If the team thinks a captain’s a cool thing, I think that could be considered. I don’t think a captain is necessary. I don’t know that it’s so necessary you can’t live without it.’’
As Valentine pointed out, the Cardinals managed to win the World Series without a captain. In fact, only the Yankees (Derek Jeter) and White Sox (Paul Konerko) have captains at this point.
Before Varitek, the Red Sox didn’t have a captain for 15 years.
Valentine wants more teamwide leadership this season, encouraging several players to set good examples or be more accountable for their actions.
If the Red Sox were to choose a captain, second baseman Dustin Pedroia might be the choice. But he seems to have little interest in the title.
“I don’t even think about that stuff,’’ he said.
Pedroia weighs in
After spending Tuesday shooting commercials, Pedroia took the field with his teammates yesterday.
“I’m excited to go play again,’’ he said. “Last year, the end was tough, but we have to regroup together and come out and play good baseball year long.’’
Pedroia had a close relationship with former manager Terry Francona and perhaps more than any other player will have adjustments to make.
“It’s different,’’ he said. “It’s the only thing I’ve known. Things change. It’s tough to see him go, especially the way it ended. He’ll always be a close friend whatever he chooses to do going forward. I’m pulling for him.’’
His take on Valentine?
“I don’t know,’’ he said. “I’ve been here a day and a half. I’ve met him a couple of times. From what I hear, he is thinking about baseball nonstop and thinking about fundamentals and getting this team where it needs to be. It’s going to be exciting.’’
Pedroia said the only way for the team to get past the collapse and embarrassment of 2011 is to play well.
“That’s basically it,’’ he said. “I don’t have answers to what went on last year. Last year is over. It was tough. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it.
“You have to try to turn the page and not think about it and play well and play for your teammates.’’
Veteran’s day