As the Red Sox and the Yankees head into the postseason, both do so with the directors of operations sitting behind the plate. For the Sox, it is Jason Varitek. The captain is that in far more than name, as both Sox fans and players have come to realize.

While the offensive numbers have gone down with the wearing down that comes from catching, the leadership of Varitek stays strong.

Players recently spoke of him in the Providence Journal with unhesitatingly strong comments.

David Ortiz said,” Man, El Capitan, he’s a leader, man. He’s the guy who knows how to deal with situations better than anyone else around here, I can tell you that.”

Josh Beckett said, “He’s awesome. He’s our captain and he leads on and off the field with everything he does.”

There are few better at handling a staff than Varitek That has been particularly important with young pitchers like Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester and Clay Buchlotz pitching in key games in the drive for the division title.

For the Yankees, it is Jorge Posada. Yankee coach Tony Pena, a former All-Star catcher who played for 18 years in the majors, was effusive when we recently talked about Posada.

“He cares about the team like he cares about family,” said Pena of Posada. “What amazes me most is his love and drive for the game after all these years. He loves to play,” said Pena.

Therein may lie the most important similarity between Varitek and Posada. Their preparation for every game is faultless and that comes from a drive to want to be on the field directing the action.

“Jorge really cares about his pitchers,” said Pena. “He replays every game in his head so he can help the pitcher more the next time. He plans every game out and the pitchers know that. He gives the signs and they pitch.”

Ask any Sox pitcher and they will say the same of Varitek.

“Jorge knows how to get through to pitchers,” said Pena. He treats them all differently so they can be their best. He works at that.”

Said Jon Lester of Varitek, “He’s probably the best catcher in the game right now with his preparation and what he puts into each and every game. You know as a pitcher that he’s going to be just as prepared as you are.”

Both are not verbose. They do not talk about themselves and they are not the names most mentioned when either the Sox or the Yankees are under discussion.

Ask their teammates, though, and their names are associated with professionalism and importance.

Will there be another showdown between these two in this postseason? Only the division series will decide that.

With pitching the key in any playoff, the direction of the game by these catchers will weigh heavily on the outcome.

If it comes, fans will be treated to watching two dominant catchers of their era go head to head.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.