Jason Varitek

This Column Originally Published on GetOutofMyBallpark.com

Warning: This post written under the influence of Big League Chew.

"Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way"

For those members of Red Sox Nation who are familiar with the writings of Thomas Paine, the American writer and political pamphleteer, there is no shortage of quotes, which describe the "Common Sense" way that Jason Varitek has embarked on this season.

The Captain is in the midst of silencing the critics, who were ready to bury Varitek  after last season's miserable campaign. He batted only .220 with 13 homers and 43 runs batted in last season, by far the worst of his career.

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 in Boston Wednesday night. It was a great night for the Sox in many ways, and possibly their best game of the season to date.

Toronto's Brett Cecil and first-year Red Sox Brad Penny were the starters of tonight's game.

Cecil came into the game 2-0 with an ERA of 1.80, one of the young pitchers stepping up for Toronto's injury-filled rotation. Penny entered the night with an ERA of 6.69, despite a winning 3-1 record.

A couple summers ago, I thought I'd score some big points with my step son, Dakota. I promised him I'd build him and the neighborhood kids a fort in our back yard. I slaved for literally hours. I sat down and drew out plans. I used a T square and a triangle and designed a mansion that looked like it came from Newport, RI.