FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Longtime Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra retired from baseball on Wednesday morning, signing a one-day contract with the Red Sox in order to retire as a member of the team.
"I've always had a recurring dream, to be able to retire in a Red Sox uniform. But to be able to have that dream come true, I really just can't put into words because of what this organization has always meant to me, meant to my family, the fans. I always tell people Red Sox Nation is bigger than any nation out there, and to be able to tell people that I came back home to be back to Red Sox Nation is truly a thrill."
One of the greatest and most popular Red Sox of all time comes home to retire in the city where he made his name. Ever since he was traded away, there’s been a revolving door of mediocre shortstops for the Sox. And although it can’t be ignored that his trade sparked the Sox to their first World Series in 86 years, it would have been fitting if he was around to experience it.
Always a fan favorite, Nomar was one of the best hitters in Red Sox history, and easily the best shortstop. Kids all around New England mimicked his bizarre habits in the batter’s box. He brought energy and hustle to the field every night, and he was just fun to watch play. In his 9 years with the Sox, he hit .323, with 178 homers and 690 RBI. He won the AL Rookie of the Year in 1997, as well as consecutive batting titles in 1999 and 2000.
There are conflicting beliefs as to what really happened when Nomar was traded away in 2004. Some people (mostly media) believe he faked an injury and quit on the team. This theory gained steam during the game against the Yankees in 2004, when Derek Jeter “heroically” dove into the stands to catch a foul ball, and those Yankee-loving assholes at FOX panned into the Red Sox dugout to get a shot of Nomar sitting on the bench, unable (or seemingly unwilling) to play. Other people believe that he was forced out of town by the new ownership group, by the combination of an alleged smear campaign and the attempted trade for Alex Rodriguez. I tend to believe the latter theory, after seeing what has happened to some other Sox players in recent years.
Despite all this, it is a great story that Nomar has come home to Boston to retire. He was, and still is, beloved and appreciated by Red Sox Nation. (Just look at the reaction he got when he returned to Fenway with the Athletics. Almost brought tears to my eyes). The Red Sox organization has done what’s right by bringing Nomar back to Boston to retire. Hopefully, they continue down the right path and waive the strict requirements for retiring jersey numbers. His number 5 absolutely belongs on the right field façade at Fenway Park.
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