"The force of nature known as Victor Jose Martinez returned to the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday with a vengeance. The 6-year-old son of the former Red Sox catcher was in his glory as Jason Varitek hoisted him over his shoulder, and then Daniel Nava let him examine his glove.

"Still left-handed?" the youngster asked with disappointment while trying to jam the glove on the wrong hand.

"It's a little late to change," Nava noted with a laugh.

Daisuke Matsuzaka, the day's starter, sat on a bench outside the clubhouse next to the kid they affectionately called Little Vic.

"You're pitching against my dad!" he exclaimed. "And I know you! I love your Mohawk!"

Needless to say, Victor Jose would not have become the unofficial mascot of the Red Sox last year, zipping around the clubhouse with partner in crime D'Angelo Ortiz before every game, if the team didn't think so highly of his father.

Yesterday, the Sox renewed acquaintances with the elder Martinez, their starting catcher and No. 3 hitter for 11/2 seasons. He departed at the start of free agency to sign a four-year, $50 million contract with the Tigers, who hosted the Red Sox yesterday.

"(Boston) was a great experience," Martinez said. "I loved it. Loved it. My family, my son, they really miss the Red Sox. They treated my family first-class. As a player, that's one of the things you're looking for, to make you go out there and play the best you can, give it your all. It was one of the best experiences in my career."

Martinez spoke genuinely about not holding a grudge against the Red Sox, who passed on him in part so they could focus on acquiring Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford."