Battery of Wakefield, ‘Tek joins Red Sox Hall of Fame

BOSTON — Former Red Sox captain and catcher Jason Varitek made his first start behind the plate on April 2, 1998. That same day, standing 60 feet in front of him on the mound was former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. Eighteen years later on Thursday at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, Wakefield and Varitek marched into the Red Sox Hall of Fame together, alongside Larry Lucchino and the late Ira Flagstead.

Teammates for 15 years, both Wakefield and Varitek looked back on their 2004 World Series championship season fondly, remembering it as a pivotal point for the team.

“For us in ’04, things started to click for us,” Wakefield said. “There was a different chemistry about our club. We got tired of being the stepbrother at that point. I’ve always been a believer in that it’s not the best team that wins, it’s the team that gets hot at the right time, and I think we got hot at the right time.”

When asked what it feels like to be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame alongside Varitek, Wakefield smiled as he talked about the most important aspects of their friendship.

“It means a lot to me,” Wakefield said. “Seeing the way [Varitek] developed into the captain of the Boston Red Sox is truly amazing. Being able to be there for him when they put the ‘C’ on his jersey was important for me. What he’s accomplished in his career, not only personally but professionally, it’s …

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