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Former Shortstop Garciaparra Signs With Sox To Retire

Nomar Garciaparra is retiring as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

The 1997 American League Rookie of the Year and six-time All-Star on Wednesday signed a one-day minor league contract with his former team so that he can retire as a member of the organization.

"From the first day I had the thrill of putting on a Red Sox uniform and playing in front of all the great fans at Fenway Park, I have felt at home in Boston," Garciaparra said in a release. "While I had the privilege of playing with other legendary teams, I always saw myself retiring in a Red Sox uniform."

Video courtesy of NECN.

At a news conference from the Red Sox spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla., Garciaparra said he reached out to his former team for the opportunity to sign and retire. He appeared at the news conference with President and CEO Larry Lucchino and General Manager Theo Epstein.

Though the Red Sox, under the management of Lucchino and Epstein, traded Garciaparra midway through the team's 2004 World Series-winning season, the player and team expressed mutual admiration Wednesday.

"Nomar will always hold a special place in Red Sox history and in the hearts of Red Sox Nation," owner John Henry said. "His accomplishments on the field and in the community place him among the greatest players to wear a Red Sox uniform. We are very appreciative that Nomar is ending his career where it began."

Garciaparra said he will next join ESPN as a baseball analyst and commentator.

Garciaparra spent nearly nine major league seasons with the Red Sox after the team drafted him in 1994. He won batting titles in 1999 and 2000 on the way to a .313 career average. Garciaparra spent the past five seasons with the Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Oakland Athletics.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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This program aired on March 10, 2010. The audio for this program is not available.

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