Trading Nomar Garciaparra at the July 31 deadline was the defining moment of Theo’s tenure thus far in Boston, and there can be no questioning it helped Boston win its first World Series in 86 years. He dealt the team’s marquee player “in one of the most momentous transactions in the modern annals of the 103-yearold franchise,” wrote the Globe’s Bob Hohler at the time. After making the deal, Epstein said: ''It was with mixed emotions that we let Nomar go. He's been one of the greatest Red Sox of all time.''