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Nomar Garciaparra signed a one day minor league deal with the Red Sox today and promptly retired. After thirteen seasons, the 35 year old decided he “had nothing left in the tank.” Given his last two seasons performance, I can see why. His celebrity status around the majors had almost left as soon as he was traded from Boston mid 2004. The Sox fan had soured of Nomar’s tantrums and knew it was his time to go. He left and we won a World Series. In an odd way, Nomie was responsible for the first title in 86 years. Today, we got our chance to thank him for his sacrifice. He leaves the game with a career .313 BA, 229 HRs, 963 RBIs, .361 OBP and .521 SLG percentage in 5,586 at bats. He wasn’t a slouch in the playoffs hitting 7HRS, 24RBIs, .321 BA, .361 OBP, and a .589 SLG. He leaves with a career .975 FLD percentage. He had numerous all-star nominations and appearances. The only thing Garciaparra didn’t achieved was a coveted WS ring. Will Nomar make the Hall of Fame? I’m sure, but he’ll have a bit of wait with the current guys trying to make it. As for now, he’ll start his new job as baseball analyst at ESPN on Baseball Tonight and color analysis on some games.

By mid 2004 before his surprising departure, I had grown weary of him and his attitude in the clubhouse. You could sometimes feel his anger through the t.v. screen if they panned a shot of him sitting in the dug-out. You forgot about the acrobatic finesse he displayed on the field rivaled only by Derek Jeter. Fans forgot how important he was in the line-up. The day when they traded him to the Cubs, and we we’re shocked….shocked seeing a franchise icon we all were sure was retiring in a Red Sox uni. The feeling of anger dissipated and the questions arose if Orlando Cabrera or any other Red Sox SS could measure up. Well, today that day came….and an entire nation tipped their hats and said, “Thank you.”

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