He's the common dominator

By Shira Springer, Globe Staff, 10/1/2003

An adherence to routine and regularity has defined the career and public persona of Nomar Garciaparra. Never is that more evident than when he is at bat. Any kid asked to imitate Garciaparra will tug at imaginary batting gloves while shifting an imaginary bat from shoulder to shoulder. There is the same sort of predictability when Garciaparra answers questions from reporters. Inevitably, he will emphasize the team concept, that no one player is more important than another. Garciaparra divulges little about himself. He just wants to be one of the guys.

What appears compulsive on the field and sounds aloof in the clubhouse is all part of the Garciaparra superstar package. His fiancee, Mia Hamm, is known as a reluctant superstar. Garciaparra is reluctant about being viewed apart from his teammates. He signs autographs before every contest, gamely makes public appearances for charity, and in general recognizes his role as the face of the Red Sox. But mention hitting streaks, MVP awards or anything remotely personal and Garciaparra becomes monosyllabic.

The unrestrained praise comes from the rest of the Red Sox. His teammates pick out different highlights, different epiphanies when they realized, or rediscovered, just how talented Garciaparra is. The two grand slams on May 10, 1999. The consecutive batting titles in 1999 and 2000. The ability to take care of balls in the hole and balls up the middle. The All-Star shortstop, however, would prefer to shrug off all the compliments.

"He's a common man for a superstar," said catcher Jason Varitek, who has known Garciaparra since their days at Georgia Tech. "He's an example of a superstar that handles himself like a brown-bagger. His ability to handle being who he is, being the superstar that he is, and literally be the same person as if he wasn't is the best quality that anybody can have that's in his shoes. And that's outside of being a phenomenal baseball player."

In an ironic twist, Garciaparra was never closer to common at the plate than he was this season, and arguably, never more appreciated by his teammates for the constancy of his intense, workmanlike approach. Playing in a team-high 156 games, he was a welcome antidote to the enigmatic Manny Ramirez and the moody Pedro Martinez.

Whether or not he acknowledges it, and no matter how much offensive help surrounds him, Garciaparra remains the central figure in the Red Sox' playoff run, which starts tonight in Oakland.

"I think for us to be successful, we need to get him completely locked back in," said Varitek, "and that's just a matter of time."

There is no doubting the impact that Garciaparra can have on a game, even if it's just the threat of him doing something. During Game 5 of the 1999 AL Division Series, Garciaparra helped Boston simply by stepping to the plate. In the third inning, the Indians intentionally walked Garciaparra to reach Troy O'Leary, who proceeded to hit a grand slam. Another intentional walk to Garciaparra in the seventh was followed by another O'Leary home run.

This time Garciaparra has a stronger team around him. Batting champion Bill Mueller and David Ortiz emerged as potent parts of the Red Sox' record-setting offense, particularly as Garciaparra was struggling in September. But through the most prolonged slump of his career, Garciaparra never deviated from his routine, on the field or in the clubhouse.

"What are you going to do?" said Garciaparra, whose 16-for-94 September (.170) was the worst month of his career. "You go out there and you just keep battling. My concern is that we're winning. That's all I care about. I don't really worry about myself. I just do my part. I know I'm a part of all those W's every time we do win."

The statement was typical Garciaparra, but he undoubtedly was frustrated as his average dipped to .301, a career low for a full season and quite a falloff from his career high of .372 in 2000.

Still, he knocked in 105 runs, reaching the 100 mark for the fourth time. And he showed his usual range and seemingly effortless excellence in the field, despite a team-high 20 errors.

"The way he goes about his business is why he is who he is," said second baseman Todd Walker. "He's very disciplined. He doesn't miss his routine. I joke with him all the time and say he's the second-best shortstop I've played with behind Barry Larkin. Obviously, I love Nomar and I kid with him about it. His discipline shows me and everybody else a lot about what it takes to get to the position he's in."

Added first-year teammate Kevin Millar, "I knew coming over here he was a phenomenal player. I think this team surrounded him [with good players] and made him more of a complete player. Yeah, he's not hitting .370 this year and doing the 150-RBI thing, but he's going to the playoffs and has a chance to win this year.

"He's basically been the face of the team without a ring. Right now, you're starting to see this guy start to smile and be a little excited, knowing how special a group he has this year."

When the Red Sox clinched the wild card, Garciaparra broke from routine as he sipped champagne, smoked a cigar, and obliged every interview request. He talked of enjoying the moment while not forgetting about the challenge presented by Oakland. As a veteran of two postseasons (1998 and 1999), he knows what awaits.

"I'm looking forward to going out there, working hard, and having fun," said Garciaparra. "On our team we've won, we've lost all as a team this year. It's everybody. We're in the postseason not because of one person, not because of two people. It's because of every single guy and that says a lot. That's what everybody feels like."

In 1999, Garciaparra helped carry the Red Sox into the AL Championship Series, sore right wrist and all. In the opening round against Cleveland, he batted .417 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. He stayed consistent in the ALCS, hitting .400 with another couple of home runs and five RBIs, though the Sox lost to the Yankees in five.

This time around, there should be less pressure on Garciaparra to carry the team. But the internal drive to succeed is always the same.

"We were just talking about the playoffs," said Lou Merloni. "You had Mo [Vaughn] in '98 and Nomar in '99. It was the situation where [Garciaparra was thinking], `If I don't have a good series, we're not going to win.' He doesn't feel that anymore. He's just going to go out there and do his thing."

And no one will complain if it's the "superstar thing" tonight in Oakland. Just don't expect Garciaparra to see it that way.