I first met Jason Varitek when his father, Joe, bought one of a number of life insurance policies he owns on his All-star catcher son from our agency.

In those days, I was clipping articles out of the newspaper and laminating them about this 16-year old Lake Brantley High phenom and mailing them to him.

When Jason went off to college at Georgia Tech, I noticed my laminating budget was getting out of control. What Jason needed was a clipping service, not just an insurance agent who was his biggest fan.

Jason, who today a two-time All-star and Golden Glove winner, is also the captain of the Boston Red Sox. "Tek" or "The Captain", as he is known to his teammates, has been a leader most of his life.

Always achieving at a peak level, Varitek is one of only two players in the history of the sport to have played in the World Championship game of the Little League World Series, in the National Championship game of the College World Series and in the Major League World Series. Ed Vosberg is the other.

Of all of the many accomplishments of Jason Varitek, it is perhaps his leadership that stands out above all. He is the only catcher in major league history to catch four no-hitters, an accomplishment recorded on May 19th of this year.

True enough, it may say more about his pitchers than it does the guy behind the plate, but make no mistake-- pitchers don't throw a gem without constant coaching, managing and mentoring by their battery mate.

Varitek is a prodigious student of scouting reports and video of every player his team faces. There is perhaps no catcher who is better prepared than this 36-year old, who is destined to the Hall of Fame when he leaves the game.

He is the first Red Sox player to catch 1,000 games, surpassing Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk. For many years, the Red Sox, by design did not name a team captain. When Varitek came along, that changed. Why? Because of his leadership on the field and off.

There are some terrific studies out there on leadership, by which Jason Varitek seems to have defined his life. One great leader, the father of our country George Washington, had these twelve characteristics:

1. He set high goals.
2. He set an example by being a role model.
3. He chose a mentor.
4. He became a life learner.
5. He did the little things that lead to big things.
6. He was a great communicator.
7. He learned from his failures and mistakes.
8. He had the courage of his convictions.
9. He knew how to make a decision.
10. He became a team leader.
11. He showed compassion.
12. He quit when he was ahead.

As you glance down the list, those of us who have followed the career of Jason Varitek can easily see why he emerged at the team captain of the Boston Red Sox.

You can see how he helped end the so-called Red Sox jinx by leading his team to multiple World Series. You can see how he showed compassion for guys like young 24-year old Jon Lester, who fought through the experience of going through lymphoma treatments to bounce back and throw that record setting fourth no-hitter that Varitek had the good fortune to catch in May.

You can see his great communication skills. He's like having a manager on the field, constantly making quick decisions, leading by example and never accepting less than the best from himself and his teammates.

It's been a pleasure watching you grow up Jason Varitek!