Last week Ben Coates was able to knock off Nomar with 57% of the vote and move up 10 spots on The RBSF Ladder to #86. In this week's edition of "Wednesday's Challenge" it is a battle of Red Sox catchers. The Sox current backstop, Jason Varitek (#75), is looking to move up five slots and unseat Sox legend Carlton Fisk for the #70 spot. A look at the credentials of each: FISK - Played 11 seasons in Boston (1969, '71-'80) batting .284 with 162 HR and 568 RBI. 1972 A.L. Rookie of the Year. Member of 7 All Star teams. Finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting 4 times. Won '72 Gold Glove. Hit perhaps the most dramatic home run in Word Series in Game 6 of 1975 Classic. His #27 is retired by the Sox and the left field foul pole was named the "Fisk Pole" in his honor. VARITEK - Has played entire major league career (1997-current) with Boston, posting a .267 average with 154 HR and 630 RBI. All-time team leaders in games caught. Only catcher in history to catch 4 no-hitters. Starting catcher for both 2004 and 2007 World Series Champions. Two time member of All Star team. Won both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards for catchers in 2005.....So who deserves to be higher on the Ladder? I believe Fisk was actually a better player in Boston, but due to Tek's two rings, loyalty and overall likability my vote this week is for the Varitek. Which catcher will you choose? Check out all of their Sox stats on the comments page and then cast your vote! 
Posts
8 comments:
Fisk has a higher batting average (284-267), OBP (481-448), SLG% (481-448), OPS (837-798), Runs (627-550), Total Bases (1856-1846), Triples (33-13) and Home Runs (162-154).
Varitek has more Games (1241-1078), At Bats (4116-3860), Hits (1101-1097), Doubles (257-207) and RBI (630-568).
Fisk made 7 All Star team, Tek 2.
Fisk won Rookie of the Year.
Both have 1 Gold Glove.
Varitek caught 4 no-hitters.
Varitek won 2 World Series.
Fisk's most memorable moment was waving his Game 6 HR fair in the '75 Series and starting a brawl with the Yankees at home plate.
V-Tek's most memorable moments are jumping into the pitchers arms to celebrate the '04 and '07 titles, and starting a brawl by shoving A-Rod in the face.
No question - it has to be Fisk.
Fisk was simply a better player.
You can't blame Fisk that the Red Sox front office was completely inept at the time and screwed up his contract situation - thereby giving Varitek the loyalty vote.
What are you going to say about the loyalty after this season when Varitek takes the big dollars and leaves Boston?
i love fisk...but two world series rings and 4 no-hitters...sounds more valuable to the sox...both get love for the yankee fights...
I don't disagree that Fisk was a better player, but does that mean he had a better Sox career? I'd trade the 5 extra All Star games for the 2 rings any day.
I haven't seen any mention that Tek was selected to be the Team captain. If i'm not mistaken Yaz was the captain when Fisk was around.
Individual numbers go to Fisk. How about some things that dont show up for Tek.
Cy Young winners
Fisk - 0
Tek - 2 (Pedro in 99 and 00)
P with most wins in a season
Fisk - 0
Tek - 3 (Pedro 99, Schil 04, Beckett 07)
Strikeout leaders
Fisk - 0
Tek - 4 (Pedro 99,00,02, Nomo 01)
ERA leaders
Fisk - 1 (Tiant 72)
Tek - 4 (Pedro 99,00,02,03)
World Series rings.
Fisk - 2 (both honorary)
Tek - 2 (that earned by playing not that he had played for the team 20 years ago)
The Captain Jason Varitek gets my vote and unless 04 was your first year as a Red Sox Fan he should get yours too!!!
Number of times worn a "C" on their shirt to signify captain:
Fisk - 0
Varitek - more than zero
My vote is for Fisk.
Anybody who wears a "C" on their shirt for any sport other than hockey automatically doesn't get a vote from me.
What reason would a team need a captain in baseball?
Anybody else remember the Fisk Skoal commercials? Chopping down trees with a giant ax in NH "...and for you young guys just starting out, try new Skoal Happy Days."
Maybe Varitek could do a 'roid commercial.
By the way, both of these guys deserve to be way ahead of that stiff at #60.
All solid points GMac...although I do agree with WJ's point that a "captain" in baseball is pretty useless, it's more to the point that he is the team leader, which is significant.
As for #60 on the ladder, you will have your chance to bash Bledsoe all you like next week WJ. He's up for the challenge...
Captain is a title given to a team leader and if i'm not mistaken that honor is given to a player by the other players and the coaches. Thats the only reason the "C" has any meaning
Post a Comment