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Varitek eager to learn on the job

Newly appointed Red Sox special assistant Jason Varitek on Friday reflected on his new role with the team, even as he admitted his biggest job will be learning different facets of the organization.

"It's a huge gray area where I'm trying to learn as much as I can," Varitek said on a conference call with reporters. "If I can offer some help in some way, then I want to be able to do it."

He didn’t get into many specifics on what his job will entail, though the former captain did say he would be working with minor league catchers.

“I’m going be involved in a lot of different areas, learn lot of different things, from meetings to player development things along those lines,” Varitek said.

As for whether he could envision himself as manager of the club, as some have suggested, Varitek hedged.

“I’m not in a position to make that a yes or a no at this point," he said.

Why was he interested in sticking with the team for which he spent 15 seasons behind the plate?

“I’m interested because I want to see this organization do well,” he said.

He added:

“It’s upsetting, more so for the organization, the fan base, what everyone has grown to expect in place like that. The ultimate goal is to get back to that same winning tradition.”