FORT MYERS, FL (The Spread) – Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has decided to hang his spikes up for good according to the Boston Globe.
The newspaper cited anonymous sources in reporting that Varitek will announce his retirement at a press conference on Thursday.
Varitek spent all 15 of his big league seasons with the Red Sox. But GM Ben Cherington signed Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach to one-year deals this winter to do the catching. Cherington offered Varitek an invitation to camp, but the Red Sox had been practicing for more than a week without him.
View Latest 2012 World Series Odds
Varitek caught four no-hitters and is just the third captain the Red Sox have had since 1923. He was a three-time All-Star and helped the Sox win two World Series titles.
Oddsmakers currently list the Red Sox 2012 World Series odds at 9/1, while their odds to win the American League pennant this season are 9/2. The Sox are also listed behind the Yankees (-125) to win the AL East Division at +190.
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