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The Boston Red Sox have hired former catcher Jason Varitek as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, the team has announced:
#RedSox today named Jason Varitek Special Assistant to the General Manager. Announcement made by EVP/GM Ben Cherington.
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) September 27, 2012
The 40-year-old Varitek, who retired in February after catching in Boston for fifteen years, will be involved with "personnel decisions, evaluations, and mentorship and instruction of young players" among a few duties, according to a statement from Cherington.
Varitek had been offered a position with the club immediately following his retirement announcement, but told the team that he wanted to spend time with his family before coming to any decision about the next step in his career. In his decade and a half with the Red Sox, Varitek caught a franchise-record 1,448 games at catcher and helped lead the club to two World Series championships.