Nomar Garciaparra will announce his retirement at a Red Sox press conference this morning, tweets ESPN's Gordon Edes. WEEI's Lou Merloni reports that Garciaparra is signing a one-day minor league contract with Boston to retire as a member of the club, and then begin work as an ESPN analyst. Merloni says Nomar had asked Red Sox GM Theo Epstein about playing opportunities the last few years. WEEI's Tom Layman has the transcript of Garciaparra's press conference.
Nomar, 36, finishes with a sparkling career line of .313/.361/.521 in 6,116 plate appearances. He spent the majority of his time at shortstop, though also played the infield corners later in his career. Garciaparra was a superstar with the Red Sox, winning Rookie of the Year in '97 and getting MVP votes and All-Star appearances in six different seasons.
Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs before the Sox went on to win the '04 World Series. Nomar struggled with injuries after the Cubs trade, but did have a nice year at first base for the '06 Dodgers. He banked about $78MM in his career, according to Baseball-Reference.
few years ago I would have bet my house he’d be a HOF-er
Ya, I agree (well, maybe not a house:). Its interesting and unfortunate how some players get on track to become HOF-ers but suffer numerous injuries that derail their careers. Or, even players who do make the HOF, but still miss a few seasons due to injury. Imagine a healthy Micky Mantle. As a Reds fan, I wonder what kind of numbers a healthy Eric Davis or Barry Larkin could have pulled off. Oh well. At least Nomar has $78 million!
Kind of cool he’s retiring with Boston, where he had his best years.
Theo knifes him and he does a photo op with him,kinda strange.Maybe he’s got a pr job with them.
I’m glad he’s retiring with his old team. He was my favorite player for a number of years.
This awesome. The perfect way for him to end his career. Coming full cirle.
Good for Nomar. Its nice to see that although he and the Sox had their differences, they were able to reunite and have him retire as a member of the club. Nomar will always be the childhood hero of many in redsox nation, including myself. Thanks for the memories Nomar, and good luck in retirement.
HOFer? Probably not. But he sure looked like he was on that path in Boston. Looking forward to seeing him as an analyst. And just for old times sake: Jeter’s better! clap-clap-clapclapclap.
Uh yeah that’s pretty obvious.
Bravo.
Nomar should go into the HOF just for his ability to continuously repeat that pre-pitch batting ritual for so long. Heck of an athlete and a true competitor.
I’m glad he’s coming home to do it. Thanks for the memories, Nomah.
I’m glad he’s coming home to do it. Thanks for the memories, Nomah.
.324 career batting average with Boston(and half season with the Cubs). .314 to finish his career. Not half bad eh.
.324 career batting average with Boston(and half season with the Cubs). .314 to finish his career. Not half bad eh.
I love this guy…too bad he fell apart (almost literally) after ’04. I wish him well at ESPN, and I am extremely happy to see him retire with the Sox. It was clearly his dream from the beginning, and I’m glad the Red Sox gave him that courtesy. I would be surprised to see him in the HOF, because seven stellar years doesn’t seem like quite cutting it to me, but he’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
I love this guy…too bad he fell apart (almost literally) after ’04. I wish him well at ESPN, and I am extremely happy to see him retire with the Sox. It was clearly his dream from the beginning, and I’m glad the Red Sox gave him that courtesy. I would be surprised to see him in the HOF, because seven stellar years doesn’t seem like quite cutting it to me, but he’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
Even if he did have a HOF career, why would he get in while players like BigMac and Bonds never will?
They never will because they violated a trust, they used steroids. If Nomar used them he might have healed faster and had a HOF career. Why should bonds and McGwire be in the HOF side by side with true power hitters and greats of the game.They took the money, they took the cheers and fame, and they are both proven liars.
if you dont think nomar used roids, you are a biased RS fan. His body seriously broke down and very quickly.
I assume every player used steroids during the steroid era . I am a Dodger fan and I liked Nomar. None of them belong in the hall of fame. Baseball, and Selig did nothing. There was a strike in 1994 the fans were upset, then the superheroes showed up. Baseball has always survived scandal and will continue to survive scandal. The only reason baseball has made a token gesture to police itself is because congress threatened to take away baseballs sacred anti trust exemption.
Was Nomar’s name on the roid list? I do not recall.
No, but if you want to believe the ripped body he displayed on that SI cover was au natural, more power to you.
No, but if you want to believe the ripped body he displayed on that SI cover was au natural, more power to you.
No RS was on the list, but thats a different ball game completely.
David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were revealed to be on the list, I thought?
No they sure weren’t.
Pretty sure they both were, maybe not Manny but Ortiz definitely was.
Even though the news on Ortiz broke this year when his name was revealed to be on the list, and then reporters went ahead and revealed that ManRam’s name was on the list as well?
So by that logic, Ken Griffey Jr. took roids because his body broke down very quickly. Think before you talk.
He might have. No one will ever know exactly who did and who didn’t and who still does. If I was a betting man though, I would bet on Nomar doing them (the SI cover alone would make you think something is up).
I assume the guys who bodies did break down were clean. HGH and the like help players come back from injuries to extend their careers.
Wait a second – because a guy is ripped he does steroids?
Newsflash for those that aren’t aware. Before the steroid era MLB had:
1. Players that were huge
2. Players that had very defined muscles
3. Players that got injured
4. Players that struggled to overcome injuries and had their careers cut short
This presumption of guilt is just crazy. Nomar may have taken roids but until there is actual evidence that he juiced I will be happy to assume that he was clean.
BTW – I hate the Red Sox and Dodgers. Just a baseball fan who recognizes how supremely talented Nomar was.
He might have. No one will ever know exactly who did and who didn’t and who still does. If I was a betting man though, I would bet on Nomar doing them (the SI cover alone would make you think something is up).
So by that logic, Ken Griffey Jr. took roids because his body broke down very quickly. Think before you talk.
if you dont think nomar used roids, you are a biased RS fan. His body seriously broke down and very quickly.
They never will because they violated a trust, they used steroids. If Nomar used them he might have healed faster and had a HOF career. Why should bonds and McGwire be in the HOF side by side with true power hitters and greats of the game.They took the money, they took the cheers and fame, and they are both proven liars.
Guilty until proven innocent.
Because there’s a difference between being guilty of doing something, being accused of doing something, and some random people on the Internet prattling on about how they assume you did something because you had injuries. And because those differences are huge between each step.
Even if he did have a HOF career, why would he get in while players like BigMac and Bonds never will?
Nomar retiring as a Red Sox and joining ESPN? Great, another Boson lap dog added to the lineup.
Nomar retiring as a Red Sox and joining ESPN? Great, another Boson lap dog added to the lineup.
Quit whining. If it’s one thing this world needs less of its whiny Yankee fans.
Sadly he just didn’t take the field enough to be a hall of famer. If Will Clark and Larry Walker don’t get in, Nomar certainly doesn’t deserve to. He was also helped by Fenway. Great player at his best, though.
Sadly he just didn’t take the field enough to be a hall of famer. If Will Clark and Larry Walker don’t get in, Nomar certainly doesn’t deserve to. He was also helped by Fenway. Great player at his best, though.
A class act and a solid player that would have been a definite shoo-in for the hall if those injuries hadn’t occurred. Best of luck Nomar!
A class act and a solid player that would have been a definite shoo-in for the hall if those injuries hadn’t occurred. Best of luck Nomar!
Dwight Evans belongs in a shorter list of ex red Sox who should be in front of Nomar. he did it with his bat and glove, for like for 20 seasons and his 8 GG’s. Garciaparra was good like was brought up many times, just never could stay on the field long enough. Evans was an iron man throughout his career.
Totally Agree. Dwight Evans was awesome and consistent and stayed healthy. I still imitate his battle stance when I (41 years old) kick my neighbor’s kid butt playing wiffle ball!
Dwight Evans belongs in a shorter list of ex red Sox who should be in front of Nomar. he did it with his bat and glove, for like for 20 seasons and his 8 GG’s. Garciaparra was good like was brought up many times, just never could stay on the field long enough. Evans was an iron man throughout his career.
Just for old times sake I will spell it out Boston style , NOMAH!. As in NOMAH PAHKED HIS CAH IN HARVAHD YAHD. Much love Nomar! Class act OH captain my captain! You were amazing and thanks for the memories.
{standing ovation}
The HOF debate can go either way I can agree, but there is no doubt in my mind that Nomar’s number 5 deserves to belong with the rest of the Red Sox greats, that in my mind is something Nomar earned and deserves for his contributions for the team
Even his trade to Chicago helped greatly in the Sox first world championship in 86 years, an indirect contribution
No HOF and NO he doesn’t deserve to be mentioned with the rest of the Red Sox greats. His biggest contribuation to the Sox was when he quit on them in 04 and forced them to trade him. No trade-No WS in 04 and you would be 07FOREVER.
what are talking about, he didnt quit on anybody, he was traded, he didnt ask for the trade and he had no choice. he was injured often and the team wanted to improve on defense, it was a difficult choice that could have gotten Theo Epstein killed, literally.
What are you talking about? This guy was a malcontent since ST of the 2004 season. He refused to sign a 4yr. contract for 60mil and was a bad influence in the club house.The last straw was when he refused to go into the Yankee game ( the game where Jeter jumped into the stands and made that great catch ) and was traded shortly thereafter after a meeting with the FO and his agent.
Sadly, a very good career and potential for the Hall was derailed by injuries for him.
roiders are not hall of famers. just ask McGuire
Well I did say potential. And that potential would have been contingent on whether or not such info ever came out.
It’s non-factor now, anyway.
What is with all these nice comments on what a “great” career Nomar had? Am I the only one who remembers that this clown got busted for roids after he won comeback player of the year in 06? He had a heck of a RS career but the fact is that he shamed the game by CHEATING negates the rest of a terrific career that he did have. He is a CHEATER just like Bonds, McGuire and the rest of the roiders of the 90s and no unbiased HOF voter would even consider a vote for him. Congratz on retirement Nomar. Now you can use all the steroids you want.
What is with all these nice comments on what a “great” career Nomar had? Am I the only one who remembers that this clown got busted for roids after he won comeback player of the year in 06? He had a heck of a RS career but the fact is that he shamed the game by CHEATING negates the rest of a terrific career that he did have. He is a CHEATER just like Bonds, McGuire and the rest of the roiders of the 90s and no unbiased HOF voter would even consider a vote for him. Congratz on retirement Nomar. Now you can use all the steroids you want.
Get out of here! He’s not retiring a Dodger?
I’m trying to understand the significance of this retiring as a Red Sox thing
“Garciaparra is signing a one-day minor league contract with Boston to retire as a member of the club”
He’s a bigger Hamm than his wife.
Aww man…..he was my favorite.