Sportsbook had Nomar Garciaparra retiring on Wednesday and joining ESPN as a commentator. The former Boston Red Sox shortstop signed a one-day contract with the Red Sox so he could retire with them. Garciaparra has not done much in recent years to impact Internet sportsbook results so it is not a surprise that he is retiring.
Sportsbook had Garciaparra as a backup player last year with the Oakland Athletics. He will be remembered though for his time with Boston. “I’ve always had a recurring dream, to be able to retire in a Red Sox uniform,” Garciaparra said. “But to be able to have that dream come true, I really just can’t put into words because of what this organization has always meant to me, meant to my family, the fans. I always tell people Red Sox Nation is bigger than any nation out there, and to be able to tell people that I came back home to be back to Red Sox Nation is truly a thrill.” Garciaparra will now be part of ESPN’s baseball team and will be seen on “Baseball Tonight.” He will also be a game analyst when the need arises.
Garciaparra played nine seasons in Boston and was a player who could impact odds at the Internet sportsbook. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1997. He won batting titles in 1999 and 2000. He hit .323, with 178 homers and 690 RBIs with the Red Sox as sportsbook statistics indicated. “Everywhere I go I get so many [Red Sox fans] come to me and tell me ‘Thank you. We miss you. We still love you,'” Garciaparra said. “And it’s so genuine and the feeling is mutual. Hopefully from my actions throughout my career in that uniform and hopefully my actions today again tell them what it means to me.”
Garciaparra was not part of the Boston team that won the World Series as he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. It was the first World Series title in 86 years for Boston but Garciaparra was not part of it. “I felt like I was there,” Garciaparra said, “In Boston there’s something greater than an individual player winning a World Series. When I was there I realized there’s something bigger than us winning a World Series. It’s winning a World Series for these people.” Garciaparra really did nothing after leaving Boston. He played with the Cubs, Dodgers and A’s but never duplicated his Boston success. He finished his career with 229 home runs, 936 RBIs and a .313 batting average as sportsbook stats had it.