FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Longtime Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will announce his retirement from baseball on Wednesday morning, signing a one-day contract with the Red Sox in order to retire as a member of the team. Upon his retirement, Garciaparra will join ESPN as a baseball analyst. He will be seen primarily on Baseball Tonight but will also serve as an occasional game analyst. "After years of enjoying the privilege of playing this great game wearing Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, and A's jerseys in front of truly amazing fans, today I've decided to end my playing days," Garciaparra said in an ESPN news release. "I've been blessed to have had a long career as a player and feel fortunate to continue this great journey as a member of the ESPN team." Garciaparra will make it official at a 10:30 a.m. press conference the Red Sox have called at City of Palms Park. The 36-year-old Garciaparra spent the first nine seasons of his 14-year career in Boston, where he developed into a fan favorite, a perennial All-Star and the best shortstop in team history. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1997 and won batting titles in back-to-back seasons in 1999 and 2000. His career average with the Red Sox stands at .323, with 178 homers and 690 RBIs.
Maybe the way he went out was a little dirty but Nomar will always be a member of the Red Sox. The guy got a bad rep by the Boston media because he didn't suck up and answer every question. Hands down, he's my favorite baseball player of all time. Maybe even favorite athlete although he can't hold a candle to Tom Terrific. There was a time when you'd look at the Sox box score and automatically look to see what Nomar did. It was a guarantee the guy had a hit and couple RBI's every night. I just loved him. Why do you think I rock #5? It wasn't coincidence that Nomar and McNabb both wore it. I obviously had to throw it on to finish the holy trinity. I think with all his injuries at the end of his career, people forget about how dominating he was a batter. There was time where he was a perennial batting title winner. Like he was being compared to Ted Williams. As in THE Ted Williams. Arguably one of the best hitters of all time. I don't know. So many emotions going through my right now. I guess I don't what better way to honor him than to post a tribute video. To Nomar. Nothing compares to you.
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