As announced earlier today, six-time all-star, Nomar Garciaparra (ˈnoʊmɑr ɡɑrˌsiːəˈpɑrə for those phonetic nerds out there) returned to, and immediately retired with the Boston Red Sox. Boston signed Nomar to a one-day minor league contract so he could retire with the team he grew up with.

Originally drafted by the Red Sox in 1994, Nomar was a fan favorite for nearly a decade. He claimed the American League Rookie of the Year award in 1997 and was in constant consideration for American League’s Most Valuable Player from 1998-2000. In 2001, the “Sports Illustrated cover curse” struck. A week after Nomar was featured on the cover, his season ended abruptly with a wrist injury. This marked the beginning of what one would consider an injury-plagued career.

In 2004, Nomar was traded to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. It was a tough trade to swallow for Boston fans but it was an understanding that his time had come. Adding insult to injury (no pun intended), the Sox went on to win the World Series that season, breaking their ugly 86 year-long curse. Out of his prime, it’s safe to say that his career went downhill from here as he was never able to stay out of the trainer’s room. In addition to his time with the Cubs, he also had brief stints with the Dodgers and Athletics.

Although it will forever be remembered for injuries, Nomar’s career was a successful one and he proved to be one of the good guys in baseball. One has to wonder what it would have been like without them, though.

Interesting Stuff:

• Six-time all-star
• Career .313 BA
• 1997 AL Rookie of the Year
• Hit two Grand Slams in one game
• Married to soccer star, Mia Hamm

Additional Thoughts:

This is a classy move for the Boston Red Sox organization. It got me thinking about some former Philadelphia athletes that I would love see come back and retire with us. At the top of my list: Brian Dawkins and Pat Burrell.

Dawk represented the city of Philadelphia to the fullest during his time here. The city loved him and although he’s been quiet about it, it’s obvious he loved the city back. In his return home this past season, Dawkins was introduced at the Linc and did the entrance routine we fell in love with as fans. It’s a testament to how much this guy meant to the city when you see fans sporting their orange Brian Dawkins Denver jerseys to games. It would really mean something for the Eagles to bring Dawk back here to retire when his playing days are over.

Pat Burrell has been through the good times and the bad times during his career in Philadelphia. We will forever remember booing him for underperforming and his classic “butt-out” strike-out. We will also forever remember him for all of the homeruns and big seasons he put together for us. Most memorable was Pat’s farewell tour in the 2008 championship season. Burrell still misses the city of Philadelphia, as surfaced in some of his recent interviews, and it would be an honor to have the man retire as a Phillie where he belongs.