Today, the Boston Red Sox signed former phenom shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to a one day contract. Sadly, Nomar signed this contract so he could announce his retirement from baseball, in a Boston Red Sox uniform. To you, it may not mean that much, but for me, Nomar retiring really puts my age in perspective. I am 20 years old, and as far back as I can remember, Nomar Garciaparra has been the first baseball player that comes to my mind when I'm asked "who is your favorite ball player?". He played 14 seasons in baseball, which means I was 6 when i started to admire him. At first I liked him because of his fun-to-say last name, but then I saw him play. Everything about his was awesome. From his swagger on the field, having always atleast 2 pairs of batting gloves on him (in each pocket) and multiple wrist bands, to his legendary and unmistakable batting stance, to his ridiculously flashy plays in the field, Nomar will always be one of my favorite players. If anyone is from Boston, or has ever got to witness one of his at-bats at Fenway Park, you must remember how stoked the crowd got when they heard this over the P.A. "Now batting, for the Boston Red Sox.....the shortstop....number 5....Nomarrrrrrr....Garrrrr-ciaaaaaa-parrrrrrrrr-aaaaaaa". To this day, whenever I play baseball, parts of his legendary toe-tap and batting glove fixing regiment have worked their way from Fenway into my own stance. Nomar is probably the best shortstop the Red Sox have ever had, and to think that he is done playing ball is a heartbreaker to me.
Aside from my admiration of Nomar, take a look at some of his accomplishments:
* May 10, 1999: Garciaparra hit three home runs, including two grand slams, in a game against the Seattle Mariners.
* July 23, 2002: Garciaparra hit three more home runs on his birthday against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
* 6-Time All-Star (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006)
* 2000 American League Batting Champion
* 1999 American League Batting Champion
* 1997 American League Rookie of the Year
* 1997 American League Silver Slugger (Shortstop)
* 1997 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
Not other than Jordan has an athlete made any number more popular than Nomar. EVERY baseball playing child in New England wanted to wear #5 and wear it with pride knowing it is Nomar's jersey number.
Luckily for me, and all other Nomar fans, he is now a member of ESPN's Baseball Tonight crew, and I look forward to seeing him on my favorite television program.
It is sad to see one of my heroes hang up the cleats, but at the same time, it makes me happy to have seen one of baseball's bests entire career.
Congratulations Nomar Garciaparra, on a tremendous career.
