Nomar's curtain call in Boston
Source: Agencies |
March 12, 2010, Friday
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SIX-TIME All-Star Nomar Garciaparra retired on Wednesday after signing a one-day contract with the Boston Red Sox so he could end his career with the team he made his mark with.
The 36-year-old Garciaparra, one of baseball's best shortstops during his prime, played nine of his 14 Major League Baseball seasons with the Red Sox.
"I filled in a reason to retire on the contract, and my reason was because my daughters want daddy home," Garciaparra, who is married to soccer great Mia Hamm, said at Boston's spring training camp in Florida.
"This is a great day for me," added the infielder, whose first name is his father's name, Ramon, spelled backwards.
Garciaparra, who along with Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter formed a Big Three of great hitters at the shortstop position, won two batting titles in Boston before finishing his career with the Cubs, Dodgers and Athletics.
"People will definitely remember me in the Red Sox uniform," said Garciaparra. "And I just think this kind of finishes that."
First-round pick
Injuries marred the last few seasons for Garciaparra, who was a first-round pick by Boston in the 1994 draft.
Garciaparra, who tugged and fidgeted with his batting glove between every pitch and rapidly tapped his front foot before each delivery, was quick to make an impact.
He won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 1997 and a year later hit .323 with 35 homers and 122 runs batted in to boost the Red Sox into the playoffs. Garciaparra won his first batting title in 1999, hitting .357 and again leading Boston to the postseason. In 2000, he hit .372 for his second batting crown.
Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs in 2004, three months before the Red Sox snapped their 86-year World Series championship drought but was presented with a championship ring in Chicago by former teammates during the 2005 season.
Garciaparra was in the thick of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry but always earned the respect of his opponents.
"I always enjoyed playing against Boston because of Nomar," Yankees shortstop Jeter said. "I used to enjoy being mentioned with him."
Added Rodriguez: "I love Nomar. He's a great player and a friend."
The 36-year-old Garciaparra, one of baseball's best shortstops during his prime, played nine of his 14 Major League Baseball seasons with the Red Sox.
"I filled in a reason to retire on the contract, and my reason was because my daughters want daddy home," Garciaparra, who is married to soccer great Mia Hamm, said at Boston's spring training camp in Florida.
"This is a great day for me," added the infielder, whose first name is his father's name, Ramon, spelled backwards.
Garciaparra, who along with Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter formed a Big Three of great hitters at the shortstop position, won two batting titles in Boston before finishing his career with the Cubs, Dodgers and Athletics.
"People will definitely remember me in the Red Sox uniform," said Garciaparra. "And I just think this kind of finishes that."
First-round pick
Injuries marred the last few seasons for Garciaparra, who was a first-round pick by Boston in the 1994 draft.
Garciaparra, who tugged and fidgeted with his batting glove between every pitch and rapidly tapped his front foot before each delivery, was quick to make an impact.
He won American League Rookie of the Year honors in 1997 and a year later hit .323 with 35 homers and 122 runs batted in to boost the Red Sox into the playoffs. Garciaparra won his first batting title in 1999, hitting .357 and again leading Boston to the postseason. In 2000, he hit .372 for his second batting crown.
Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs in 2004, three months before the Red Sox snapped their 86-year World Series championship drought but was presented with a championship ring in Chicago by former teammates during the 2005 season.
Garciaparra was in the thick of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry but always earned the respect of his opponents.
"I always enjoyed playing against Boston because of Nomar," Yankees shortstop Jeter said. "I used to enjoy being mentioned with him."
Added Rodriguez: "I love Nomar. He's a great player and a friend."
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