Listen: ‘Generous’ For Sox To Take Back Garciaparra, Shaughnessy Says
Former Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra takes questions during a news conference in Fort Myers, Fla. on Wednesday. The 1997 American League MVP signed a one-day contract with his former team, then announced he's ending his 14-year career. (AP)
BOSTON — Nomar Garciaparra has bowed out of pro baseball — as a citizen of Red Sox Nation.
The two-time American League batting champion and six-time All-Star, who spent most of his 14-year career playing in Boston, announced his retirement on Wednesday — but not before signing a one-day minor league contract that put him back in the Red Sox family.
“Just the way this city, (the) fans embraced me,” Garciaparra said at a news conference from the team’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla, “I always said, ‘You know what? I really truly always wanted that to be the last uniform I ever put on.’ ”
The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy joined WBUR Thursday to reflect on the shortstop’s tenure in Boston, his acrimonious 2004 trade and departure from the team, and Garciaparra’s lasting legacy in the game.
