Jason Varitek is doing is best right now to grin and bear it.
The Boston Red Sox decided on the nuclear option on Saturday, firing manager Alex Cora and several other top coaches. The drastic move came with the Red Sox having gotten off to a lousy 10-17 start to the 2026 MLB season.
Varitek, the retired Red Sox legend, was originally reported to have been fired as well from his job as the team’s run prevention coach. It was later revealed however that Varitek was actually getting reassigned to a different role by Boston (with the exact details to come at a later date).
Nevertheless, Varitek still went viral for his priceless reaction to the news. Varitek posed for a photo with all of his fired colleagues amid their flight back to Boston. In the photo, which was posted by Cora to Instagram, Varitek was smiling and giving the thumbs-down sign.
Jason Varitek gives a thumbs down as the fired group of Red Sox coaches flies back to Boston (via Alex Cora’s IG story). pic.twitter.com/QoOIrhzPTC
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 26, 2026
Now 54 years old, Varitek is a Red Sox icon. He played his entire MLB career in Boston from 1997-2011, making three MLB All-Star teams and serving as the starting catcher on two Red Sox World Series-winning teams in 2004 and 2007.
But obviously “Tek” is not too pleased about seeing all of his colleagues get the boot. He can now join the club along with Boston’s current players, many of whom are reportedly unhappy about the Cora firing.
