The Pitcher Catcher Relationship, 2011 Season

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

You know I'm a sucker for catchers. Jason Varitek is what got me interested in the Red Sox in the first place and I'll willingly embrace any catcher that comes along (except Kevin Cash, who I have an irrational dislike of). What intrigues me about catchers is the fact that more or less they're in charge of the pitcher out there. I know, I know, there is the school of thought that says that a catcher doesn't have much to do with how a pitcher pitches but I think that's a bunch of hooey. I think a pitcher can have a bad day with a good catcher but I think he's more likely to have a good day with a good catcher.

Last Spring I wrote about Josh Beckett trying to get along with Victor Martinez in anticipation of  Victor catching much more frequently than Varitek last season. Tek ended up catching Beckett a lot last year, not that that helped Beckett anyway (see above about bad days with good catchers). This year it is hoped that in Victor's absence, Josh can once again readjust to a new catcher, this time Jarrod Saltalamacchia While Josh has a lot of other issues to get over besides the catcher one, I was heartened to read this in the Extra Bases blog on Boston.com. That sounds a whole heck of a lot more positive than Josh was about Victor this time last year.

I'm eager to see Salty in action, not for his bat, but for his relationship with the pitchers. Because really, when it comes down to it, that's what I really want in a catcher. A guy who makes the pitcher comfortable and happy.