Nomar signs with the Red Sox. Show of your Nomars

[baseballguy350]

This is going to make WEEI interesting all day, and I can't wait to see Shaughnessy's column.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this- ... e-red-sox#

WEEI.com's Lou Merloni reports that Nomar Garciaparra will sign a one-day, minor league deal with the Red Sox and then announce his retirement as a member of the organization. Garciaparra will then commence a career as a baseball analyst for ESPN.



Garciaparra was selected as a first-round pick by the Red Sox in 1994, and reached the majors late in 1996. The next year, his first as a full-timer, he won the American League's Rookie of the Year Award by hitting .306 with a .342 OBP, .534 slugging mark, 30 homers and 22 steals.



He went on to spend parts of nine seasons as a member of the Red Sox, hitting .323 with a .370 OBP, .553 slugging and .923 OPS. He was a five-time All-Star in Boston, and ranks fourth in franchise history in batting average, fifth in slugging and sixth in OPS. He won back-to-back batting titles in 1999 and 2000, hitting .357 and .372, thus becoming the first right-handed hitter to win consecutive batting titles since Joe DiMaggio in 1939-40.



The Red Sox are holding a 10:30 a.m. press conference in Fort Myers at which Garciaparra will announce his retirement.

 

[subpop77]

:shock: Motherfocker :? I was looking forward to see him play with Oakland I guess that's good I bought some Boston tixs too :lol:

 

[shepsspot]

:shock: Motherfocker :? I was looking forward to see him play with Oakland I guess that's good I bought some Boston tixs too :lol:

You better reread the original post!

Shep

 

[baseballguy350]

:shock: Motherfocker :? I was looking forward to see him play with Oakland I guess that's good I bought some Boston tixs too :lol:

Bolded it for you.

 

[smapdi]

Sad, I figured he still had a little in the tank. Another in the line of great players whose teams only win the championship after they leave.

But what really pops out for me is "WEEI.com's Lou Merloni." Is that the former player Merloni? Wow, it's amazing how time flies, he hasn't played since 2006, and I guess transitioned into TV (or is that radio?).

 

[rebelpawn]

Sad, I figured he still had a little in the tank. Another in the line of great players whose teams only win the championship after they leave.

But what really pops out for me is "WEEI.com's Lou Merloni." Is that the former player Merloni? Wow, it's amazing how time flies, he hasn't played since 2006, and I guess transitioned into TV (or is that radio?).

Yes Lou has been with WEEI (radio) for awhile now. He provides some good comentary about baseball and I enjoy listening to him. Plus he's from Framingham, MA so he knows what Sox fan are like.

If anyone's interested here's some of my Nomars....

http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i44/rebelpawn/Red Sox Collection/Nomar Garciaparra/?start=all

Glad Nomar is back, but I wish he could have played one more game in a Sox uni....

 

[MaineMule]

...wow, brings back memories for me......fondest is my now 17 1/2 year old son just idolizing Nomar- with his shirt, mannerisms and many collectibles.

Nice job Sox!!

 

[miguelcabrera]

where has the time gone? i miss nomar and pedro and troy o'leary

red sox in 2010!

 

[MaineMule]

Two of my favorites........
[center:w5e6glf7]

[/center:w5e6glf7]

 

[miguelcabrera]

manny returns to fenway in 2010 also

 

[RCRX]

Nomar retires with the Red Sox...

 

[bigpops65]

Nomar retires with the Red Sox...

Someone's late to the party ....

 

[notjomommasclint]

HOLY BAT ****!!!

bittersweet day for sure. to have him in B gear again puts a fuzzy in my heart and makes me want him to at least try to play this year. on the flip side injuries have gotten the best of him and he is several years past glory!

it was a honor to see have witnessed him play and as time goes on i hope we remember he was at least an equal to alex rodriguez and derek jeter for the better part of a decade!

 

[RITM]

In 2005 I had a media credential with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx in Jackson, Tennessee. The Jaxx were the affiliate for the Cubs at the time. It's worth noting that he had always been one of my favorite players. I received a call saying that Nomar was going on a rehab assignment and would join the Jaxx after playing in Peoria. I was thrilled. The Jaxx only allowed 4 people to sit in an interview and I was one of them. Afterwards I got to watch him for a few days. He was a very humble and gracious person. He treated everyone with so much respect and generosity. After one of the games I was given the lineup card from one of the games and the opportunity to chat with Mia Hamm.

Here's a picture my wife took of me interviewing Nomar and some pictures from the rehab:

 

[pghbuccos]

classy move by the Red Sox.

my one and only Nomar...

I really need an auto.

 

[bodiaz]

Sad, I figured he still had a little in the tank. Another in the line of great players whose teams only win the championship after they leave.

But what really pops out for me is "WEEI.com's Lou Merloni." Is that the former player Merloni? Wow, it's amazing how time flies, he hasn't played since 2006, and I guess transitioned into TV (or is that radio?).

What really pops out at me is what a HUGE advantage Fenway Park is! Nomar was a God in that park, and below average when he left. Wade Boggs was a .350 hitter as a Red Sox, and a .300 hitter afterwards. Have no idea why people have such a problem with steriods because it is "unfair", but yet have no problem with Fenway, Coors Field, or Yankee Stadium (Old and New)! These parks are a MUCH bigger advantage than steriods ever were!

 

[PeteD]

Garciaparra ended his time in Boston a disgruntled employee after turning down a four-year, $60 million extension. Rumors swirled that he was unhappy living in Boston and had a particular distaste for the scrutiny that comes with the extensive media coverage of the team.

Found this snipit on another MB. Did he really turn them down? If I remember, the Sox were chasing ARod at the time. Why would they offer to resign him then. Doesn't make sense.

 

[weegee]

Here is what i have of Nomar.

 

[MacK]

:shock: Motherfocker :? I was looking forward to see him play with Oakland I guess that's good I bought some Boston tixs too :lol:

Why would you buy Oakland tickets wanting to see Nomar when he's been a free agent the entire offseason?

 

[MacK]

Sad, I figured he still had a little in the tank. Another in the line of great players whose teams only win the championship after they leave.

But what really pops out for me is "WEEI.com's Lou Merloni." Is that the former player Merloni? Wow, it's amazing how time flies, he hasn't played since 2006, and I guess transitioned into TV (or is that radio?).

What really pops out at me is what a HUGE advantage Fenway Park is! Nomar was a God in that park, and below average when he left. Wade Boggs was a .350 hitter as a Red Sox, and a .300 hitter afterwards. Have no idea why people have such a problem with steriods because it is "unfair", but yet have no problem with Fenway, Coors Field, or Yankee Stadium (Old and New)! These parks are a MUCH bigger advantage than steriods ever were!

Below average when he left?

He hit .297, .283, .303, .283, .264, and .281 in his seasons outside of Fenway.

It wasn't that the park was so much of an advantage, it was that he couldn't stay healthy when he left Fenway. He played 100 games twice in those years.