Legends Never Die

Most kids grow up having a favorite baseball player. My friends were big fans on Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGwire. I, on the other hand, loved watching Nomar Garciaparra. Today, Nomar signed a one day contract so he could end his 14 year career with the team he experienced his greatest success with.

As an 11 year old, I first saw Nomar on SportsCenter. I was amazed with his ability to get to any ball hit anywhere near him (and truly beyond that) and make a perfect throw to first base. In my opinion, when he was in his prime he was the best shortstop in baseball. My interest in Nomar grew as I started to watch Red Sox games, and that was how I became a Red Sox fan myself.

When I was 14 my dad and I took a trip to Fenway Park. By this point I had delved into the Red Sox painful and rich tradition, and the pilgrimage to the Mecca of Red Sox nation didn't disappoint. Even though the Red Sox didn't play well (they went 1-3 when I was there) it was unbelievable to see Nomar, or Nomah as the locals called him, and the Red Sox play at Fenway Park. I remember sitting on the steps of Fenway Park watching a dad show his young son a Red Sox magazine with Nomar on the cover. "Look! It's Nomah!", the dad said to his son. He was an icon to all young Red Sox fans.

Coincidentally, Nomar was traded from the Sox at the Metrodome in 2004. I was in the building when the news broke that he would no longer be a Red Sock, but now a Cub, and I was crushed. I received a phone call from a friend who told me the bad news. I would later see video of Nomar walking down the halls of the Dome saying, "I'll see you guys later" with tears in his eyes.

My dad and I made another baseball trip in 2004. This time to see the Red Sox play in Chicago against the White Sox. After the game, my dad and I drove over to Wrigleyville so I could buy a Cubs jersey with Garciaparra across the back. In 2005, I tried to buy a Red Sox Nomar t-shirt. The store workers told me they have been selling off the shelves and I should try to get one online. This was a year after he no longer played for the team.

I spent years of my childhood arguing with friends about how great of a player Nomar was. He was an incredible shortstop. He was in a class of his own as a hitter during his prime. He was the face of the Red Sox, and he is the reason I love baseball today. Nomar is a legend in New England and all across Red Sox Nation. I'll never forget the memories of watching him play, and I can't wait to pass them on to my children.

Thanks for everything Nomar.

Eric