Editorial. Photos by AP News
If Teddy Williams was the father of baseball, Nomar was the son.
He was the son of baseball, and everything that was the Boston Red Sox.
No one.
Because from 1996 straight up until 2004, number five was all that was Boston, all that was Red Sox and everything in between.
People remember he was big time in this city – and I mean big time. But what some people might not remember is that ‘Nomah’ inspired a culture. He was Jesus in a Red Sox uniform. He made a run at Teddy Ballgame’s unheralded batting title. He even inspired an entire string of SNL skits.
But more importantly, he was the baseball hero the city of Boston had been praying for, ever since The Rocket landed on Fenway dirt.
But in 2004, Garciaparra’s magical time in Boston had met its end. He would be traded away in exchange for a shortstop that contributed to what the Red Sox made clear was their ultimate goal – a World Series Title.
But it didn’t matter; Nomar Garciaparra had forever engrained his name - as (wicked) long as it is - in Boston history books forever.
And as he finally hangs up the cleats for good, we take some time to remember the top 12 Nomar moments - in chronological order - since he graced Major League Baseball with his presence back in 1996. Enjoy, and try to hold your tears until the end.
1. June 2, 1994. Nomar drafted by Boston:
Nobody had this kind of hype since Roger Clemens. But you could argue that this 20-year old from Georgia Tech started building his legacy before he even set foot in a Fenway Park dugout.
That’s because Boston knew all about him and what he was supposed to be. Ever since he got drafted on that fateful June afternoon, you couldn’t walk the streets of Boston without hearing someone yell, “Johnny - wait until you see this kid play. He’s gonna be wicked awesome.”
And he was.
But what you might not remember is that Nomar was actually selected originally in the 1991 draft, by the Milwaukee Brewers. Fortunately for Boston, he refused to sign, went on to play for Georgia Tech, and eventually became a Red Sock.
And they say the Curse didn’t end until 2004. Ladies and gentlemen - that baby started breaking down in ’94.
2. September 1, 1996. Nomar homers in debut:
You know that feeling when you order a really expensive meal? And after a way-too-long wait, the server finally brings it over to you, and you take that first bite – and it’s everything you ever dreamed of?
Well, that was the unanimous feeling in the city of Boston when Nomar Garciaparra stepped into the batters box on August 31, and crushed his first Major League Home Run – in his first ever Major League Game.
It took him two at-bats to capture the hearts of Bostonians everywhere. And it would take him thousands more before he would ever give it back.
Because on that night, September 1, 1996, Nomar Garciaparra proved that he would be exactly the Filet Mignon this city had ordered.
3. November 3, 1997. Nomar Wins Rookie of Year:
And he did it unanimously, too.
Following a rookie campaign where he led the league with 209 hits, smacked 30 home runs and drove in 98 runs, Nomar Garciaparra was selected as Major League Baseball’s Rookie of the Year. On top of that, his 30-game hit streak would set an A.L. rookie record, he would compete in the Home Run Derby and finish eighth in the MVP voting.
Needless to say, Nomar had arrived.
4. May 10, 1999. Nomar takes Live Batting Practice:
At least, that’s what it seemed like.
In a game against the Seattle Mariners, Mr. Garciaparra would put on a free batting clinic for anyone who happened to be watching at the time, finishing the day 3-4 with three home runs, including two grand slams, and 10 RBI.
It would forever go down in history as one of the greatest single game performances of any Red Sox player ever, as Boston went on to defeat Seattle 12-4.
And it was only the beginning of what would be a memorable year for the kid who was named after his father, only backwards. (Nomar, Ramon...get it?
5. October 6, 1999. Nomar homers in ALDS Game 5:
The Red Sox had made the playoffs only two times since 1990. And each time, they had been eliminated in the first round rather handedly (3-0, 3-1.)
But this year, things would be different. And that’s because Nomar Garciaparra wanted them to be.
In 1999, the Boston Red Sox were the same team they were in 1998, 1997 and most years before and after that. They were composed of nothing but smoke and mirrors. Smoke, mirrors, Nomar and Pedro.
And that’s why 1999 was such a special year – because Boston finally made a splash in the playoffs. And let’s face it, the Red Sox hadn’t exactly been having their way in baseball postseason for quite a while.
Down two games to none against the Cleveland Indians, Boston made a furious comeback and tied the series at two, thanks in large part to who else but Pedro and Nomar.
And then, in the decisive game five, Nomar Garciaparra slammed a first inning home run off All Star pitcher Charles Nagy, putting Boston up 2-0. The Red Sox went on to win that game 12-8, advancing to the ALCS.
They would end up losing the ALCS 4-2 to the Yankees. But Red Sox fans finally got a taste of something they hadn’t had in years – postseason victory.
6. July 20, 2000. Nomar’s average hits .403:
It was late July. In the city of Boston. And someone was batting above .400.
Needless to say, it was a fairly big deal.
Ever since Teddy Ballgame set the mark of .406 in 1941, nobody has ever come close. But in the year 2000, fittingly, Boston’s own Nomar Garciaparra made a serious run.
It was the closest he’d get all season, and though his average would hang around the high .390’s for the first few weeks of August, he wouldn’t break Williams’ record.
He would finish 2000 with an average of .372, which currently ranks 7th since 1941.
7. October 14, 2000. Nomar appears on SNL:
His arrival in Boston inspired the SNL skit “Boston Teens,” starring Jimmy Fallon, a crazed Boston Teen who had an unmatched love for ‘Nomah Gaciaparra.”
And on October 14 (not the episode above), Nomar made it his own.
The Sox superstar appeared on the October episode as Kate Hudson’s boyfriend, causing Fallon to erupt in excitement, shouting “Nomah! We wicked love you!”
It cemented Nomar’s national popularity. Only his appearance on the cover of the February 2001 Sports Illustrated Issue rivaled his SNL cameo. He had become not only a baseball star, but a superstar. A true celebrity.
He had reached the holy trinity of sports.
8. July 21, 2001. Nomar returns with a bang:
He had been out with a wrist injury all season long. In fact, he reported to spring training with the problem, and hadn’t played a single game all year because of it.
But on July 21 Nomar returned in a way that only Nomar could, going 2-4 with a home run and three RBI, including a 7th inning two-run single that put the Sox ahead for good.
Boston didn’t make the postseason that year. In fact, they finished only one game above .500. But on July 21, their hero had returned. And for that, Boston was grateful.
9. July 23, 2002. Nomar smacks three on his birthday:
Some people throw parties for their birthday. Some people go out to dinner. Nomar, however, prefers to hit three home runs instead.
On his 29th birthday, Nomar took it upon himself to do the gift giving, crushing three home runs in just the first two innings of play, as Boston went on to drub Tampa Bay at Fenway, 22-4.
For his efforts, Garciaparra became the first player ever to hit as many home runs over two consecutive innings.
One day earlier, Nomar homered twice against the Yankees. With five home runs in two days, Garciaparra also tied a Major League record.
10. July 1, 2004. Nomar sulks in dugout, Jeter dives in stands:
It was a day that will forever live in infamy.
At the tail end of a three-game Yankees-Red Sox series at Yankee Stadium, New York was aiming for a sweep.
Knotted at three, thanks to two Manny Ramirez home runs, the game headed into extra innings. In the top of the 12th, Derek Jeter hurled himself into the stands tracking down a Trot Nixon pop-up, a leap that sent him immediately to the hospital, bloodied and bruised.
All the while, the Red Sox own superstar shortstop sat still in the Boston dugout.
Nomar was benched, for injury reasons one would assume, and did not start the game. He didn’t enter in the late innings as a pinch-hitter either, while the Yankees stars were flinging themselves into the stands.
It was the beginning of the end for Nomar in Boston.
11. July 31, 2004. Nomar traded to Cubs at deadline:
One month later, it was the end of the end for Nomar.
In a three-team deal completed just before the 2004 trade deadline, the once irreplaceable Boston superstar had been shipped to Chicago in exchange for defensive specialist Orlando Cabrera and backup first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.
While it can certainly be argued that Boston did not receive equal name value in exchange for the six-time All-Star, the Red Sox certainly addressed two pressing issues: a sub-par defense and a disgruntled superstar who’s contract issues had questionable club-house attitude had created an irreparable rift within Red Sox organization.
Equipped with their two new puzzle pieces, the Red Sox finally solved the Curse of the Bambino, and went on to win their first World Series since 1918.
Nomar would receive his World Series ring behind closed doors in the 2005 season.
12. July 6, 2009. Nomar returns home:
It had been five years since Nomar had made an appearance at Fenway Park. In those five years the Red Sox had won two World Championships and cemented themselves as one of baseball’s elite.
But on July 6, he returned to Fenway Park – and it was as if he didn’t miss a day.
In front of a standing crowd, Nomar Garciaparra stepped into the batters’ box in the top of the second inning and was showered with applause for over a minute as he tipped his helmet and held his hand to his chest.
It was one of the most emotional moments I’ve ever been at Fenway Park for.
Nomar felt it.
Fenway felt it.
And none of us will ever forget it.
Because though his departure was untimely and his fantastic seasons didn’t bear any rings, for eight and a half years, Nomar Garciaparra was the Boston Red Sox.
For eight and a half years, he owned the city of Boston.
And for that, he will always be remembered as more than an athlete – as more than just a baseball player.
For that, Nomar Garciaparra will be remembered as a hero. As the man who gave chase to Teddy Ballgame’s record. As the man who restored baseball to the city of Boston.
As the man who for eight and a half years, was the city of Boston
this article also on WEEI.com
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