Thanks Tek and Wake

The past few weeks saw the Boston Red Sox bid goodbye to two of their longest tenured players: catcher Jason Varitek, and pitcher Tim Wakefield. On February 17, Wakefield announced his retirement after a 20-year playing career, 17 of which were spent in Boston. Varitek then announced his retirement on March 1, having played 15 seasons in a Red Sox uniform. 

Both were key parts of the 2004 and 2007 World Series champions, and have been popular figures in Boston sports lore. Wakefield, who was the oldest active MLB player at the time of his retirement, held a majority of the Red Sox pitching records, including most innings played, most starts, oldest pitching winner, oldest complete game winner, and oldest player to appear in a Red Sox uniform. He finished behind Roger Clemens for most strikeouts, behind Bob Stanley for most games pitched, and behind Cy Young and Clemens for most wins. His only All-Star appearance came in 2009, at the ripe age of 42, becoming the second oldest first-time All-Star after Satchel Paige. He won the AL Comeback Player award in 1995 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2010.

Varitek, on the other hand, had the most no-hitters caught in MLB history with four, catching with Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester. He was a three-time All-Star, one-time Silver Slugger and one-time Gold Glove Award for catcher, as well as a one-time Heart and Hustle Award. Varitek also caught the most games in a Red Sox uniform, and also had the most postseason homers for a catcher, the most postseason games in a Red Sox uniform, and the most opening day starts at catcher in Red Sox history. He played his entire Major League career with the Red Sox from 1997-2011, and was the team's captain from 2005-11.

Thanks for the memories, Tek and Wake. The Red Sox Nation will miss you.