Nomar Retiring 'Where Blood, Sweat, Tears' Started
Shortstop Signs One-Day Deal With Boston Red Sox
POSTED: 9:34 am EST March 10, 2010
UPDATED: 5:13 pm EST March 10, 2010
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BOSTON -- Nomar Garciaparra is retiring from baseball as a member of the Boston Red Sox.
Garciaparra, 36, signed a one-day minor-league contract Wednesday with the team so he can retire as a member of the team."I've always had a recurring dream to be able to retire in a Red Sox uniform," Garciaparra said. "Today, I get to fulfill that dream and retire as a Red Sox. I am getting chocked up now, and I have the chills." Garciaparra thanked the fans and the Red Sox front office for their support."Red Sox nation is bigger than any nation out there and to be able to say I came back home as a member of Red Sox nation is really a thrill," Garciaparra said. "I've been able to wear some legendary uniforms -- the Cubs, L.A., and Oakland."Garciaparra said retiring would not feel right if he wasn't able to "put that Red Sox uniform on one last time.""Once a Red Sox, always a Red Sox," Garciaparra said. "This is where the blood, swear and tears started."
Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino welcomed the six-time All-Star home."It gives us enormous pride to honor the respect you have for the organization. When the history of the Boston Red Sox is written again, there will be a very large chapter dedicated to Nomar Garciaparra," Lucchino said.
Garciaparra, 36, signed a one-day minor-league contract Wednesday with the team so he can retire as a member of the team."I've always had a recurring dream to be able to retire in a Red Sox uniform," Garciaparra said. "Today, I get to fulfill that dream and retire as a Red Sox. I am getting chocked up now, and I have the chills." Garciaparra thanked the fans and the Red Sox front office for their support."Red Sox nation is bigger than any nation out there and to be able to say I came back home as a member of Red Sox nation is really a thrill," Garciaparra said. "I've been able to wear some legendary uniforms -- the Cubs, L.A., and Oakland."Garciaparra said retiring would not feel right if he wasn't able to "put that Red Sox uniform on one last time.""Once a Red Sox, always a Red Sox," Garciaparra said. "This is where the blood, swear and tears started."Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino welcomed the six-time All-Star home."It gives us enormous pride to honor the respect you have for the organization. When the history of the Boston Red Sox is written again, there will be a very large chapter dedicated to Nomar Garciaparra," Lucchino said. Videos: Nomar Knew It Was Time | Nomar: It's Good To Be Back | Nomar Felt He Was Part Of World Series Team | Epstein, Nomar: Trade Was Just Business
He played for the Sox for nearly 10 years and was traded to the Chicago Cubs as part of a four-team deal in 2004 that helped the Sox win its first World Series in decades.Garciaparra was the Rookie of the Year in 1997. Garciaparra previously played for the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a .313 career average with 229 home runs and 936 RBIs.Garciaparra said he will still be a part of the game as he takes a new job with ESPN. He said that he had to state a reason on his contract for retiring, and he wrote, "Because my daughters want Daddy home."Garciaparra is married to soccer star Mia Hamm, and the couple has two daughters.Copyright 2010 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
