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After one of the most historic trades in modern Red Sox history, Nomar Garciaparra is now a member of the Chicago Cubs after an 11-year tenure with the Sox organization. Tell us your favorite memories of Nomar and how you think he'll be remembered in this town?
Page 3 Nomar will always be remembered in a positive way by the fans of Boston, regardless of the recent controversy. He has been my favorite player throughout his tenure with the Red Sox and watching him play has been a great pleasure. Nomar contributed so much not only to the Red Sox organization, but to the city of Boston. My most fond memory of Nomar Garciaparra has to be the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park and how he was embraced by Ted Williams. Nomar was a class-act and possesses tremendous talent, and the Red Sox loss will truly be the Chicago Cubs gain. I have become a Cubs fan overnight. Mark, Wenham, MA How can anyone just list one memory? My memory is of an player who came with his "A game" everyday! He made those crazy ticket prices worth it. I think Ted Williams was right about Nomar. Red Sox Nation as a whole should be ashamed that "we" didn't do more to keep him here. Sure, Manny, Otiz, Pedro, etc. are all great players. They just don't have the respect and understanding for the tradition that Nomar did. Nomar was a little piece of each member of Red Sox Nation, hard working, respected the game, respected the city, helped the community.Poor form for treating him the way "we" did in the offseason and poor form for not apologizing; eventually letting him go. This just might have extended our curse and ended another... When are we as a Boston sports nation going to put some pressure on these owners to win championships around our heros like Nomar and Ray Bourque. We should all be ashamed! Matt, Norwood I came to the to Boston from Ireland in 1994, and became a Sox fan. I enjoyed so much seeing Nomar "come up" with the Sox, both in 96 from the minors, as well as 97 for his rookie season (I was at the game against the Braves when his hitting streal ended. Those silly uniforms that day - that was the reason!). Now based in NYC, I am still a die-hard Sox fan, and am saddened at Nomar having being traded, I'd have loved to have seen his #5 retired at Fenway. Mark, Brooklyn Thank you Boston! My father thanks you. My brother thanks you. I thank you. Nomar is the best shortstop we Cub fans have had since Ernie Banks! Ray, Chicago Its a sad day in Sox Nation. A great player and person is no longer its citizen. Nomar is a rare kind of a pro athlete in today's world, one who can be called a true role model. it was a pleasure to see and experience the way he handled himself on and off the field. Gaurang , Chelmsford horse crap. you don't trade one of the greatest players you ever had. i will be rooting against the redsox for the rest of the season and i will not go to another game and i will not purchase another piece of redsox crap again. idiots in the front office. theo, herny and lucchino. good job you morons. you guys drove nomar out of town with your disrespect. bring back duquette and gorman. kevin, vernon ct. Nomar will be remembered as one of the very, very good players in Red Sox history. I do NOT think he ever achieved Ted Williams/Larry Bird/Bobby Orr status. The reason is simple: he never led the Sox to any championships. Ted Williams led the Sox to one World Series, in 1946. (They would have won if Ted hadn't been drilled in the elbow by Mickey Haefner in late September). Bird led the Celtics to three championships (1981, 1984, 1986). Bobby Orr scored the Cup-winning goal in the '72 Finals. I will remember Nomar as a player who was a five-tool ballplayer, as someone who could have, in fact, been a hybrid of Derek Jeter and Joe DiMaggio. No question he was more talented than Jeter. Jeter never won a batting title, or hit 30 homers, or even came close. Nomar did play hard, but for some reason, I can't recall Nomar toppling into the stands for a catch like Jeter did (2001 ALDS against Oakland), or coming all the way from his shortstop position to flip it to his catcher (again, 2001 ALDS vs. Oakland, Jeremy Giambi at the plate), or diving into the stands against the Sox a month ago. I will always remember Nomar as someone who was good, but he was never a superstar. He could have been, his potential was way beyond what he showed from 97-04, beyond a Rookie of the Year, third in MVP voting, or two batting titles, but he just couldn't/wouldn't take his game to the next level when he had to. He was shameful in the playoffs in '99 and last year. Nomar was very, very, very good. But he never was great. Great players take their game to the next level when they have to. These moments (e.g. playoffs) are what separate the men from the boys. That's why Nomar wasn't great. There is a difference between good and great. Nomar will be missed. The Red Sox, however, just got better. Jacob, Brunswick, ME Nomar's legacy will grow over time. All the huhbub with OVERlove and misplaced anger, will die down. A few seasons from now, Nomar will be regarded in the pantheon of other sox Greats. Let's be honest, he had good numbers, he was a fan favorite, but he was NEVER a team leader EVER. Those fans who write otherwise are simply fools. Nomar's biggest failure was his lack of leadership. Matt, Brea, CA (formerly of NH) Nomar -- best Sox player in last 20 years. Theo and the gang -- propaganda experts. I think that Dan S. and a rival newspaper writer must be too close to it with their off base articles. Nomar like Pedro, Lowe, and Veriteck wanted out, and all probably will be out. The Sox becoming like the Bruins will last until Sox fans stop falling for this nonsense and PR expertise, and decide to stop filling seats for a mediocre team. Nomar will be missed big time! Brian, Boston My favorite memory of Nomar with the Sox will be his three home runs on his birthday, 2002. What a great moment. Best of luck, Nomar. You will be missed. Charles, Fairfield, CT
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