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Top Nomar moments and his place in Sox lore

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?

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Put Nomar up there with Bledsoe, Clemens and Babe Ruth as letting go great players so they can become even better somewhere else. Let's just hope nomar didn't give us a 100 year curse. Boston will miss you nomar. You are a stand up ballplayer and person.

Jess, Medford


I loved Nomar up until a game on July first this year. You know the one i am talking about the Yankees the Red Sox the way baseball was meant to be played. But unfortunately Nomar was so concerned about himself that he could not be bothered to support his team. When all others were giving there all where was he? On the bench with a sore ankle. Good luck Nomar.

Brad, NYC


Nomar is going to be remembered by a lot of 7, 8 and 9 year olds in New England as an older brother. That's the impression a lot of kids got every winter when the baseball star would fly in from his home in California to Easton, Mass., where he would hang out for a couple of days with them. These are kids who participate in Nomar's semi-annual baseball camp. At the three-day winter session, Nomar customarily would leave his celebrity mien at the entrance and mingle with the youths, posing patiently for pictures, answering their questions, even sensitive ones about his contract talks, and wander through the various clinics chiming in with coaching tips. What gain was there for him? Certainly not a financial one. Publicity? Doubtful. As a parent observing the man at three such occasions, I've concluded that Garciapara--unlike many other superstar athletes--understands his place as a role model to a generation of impressionable youngsters. And he seems to take that responsibility seriously. I'm not surprised to read in the Globe today that many 7 year olds cried upon hearing the news of his departure to Chicago. Perhaps Garciapara's sense of responsibility stems from his high school days at Don Bosco Tech in Rosemead, Calif., a Catholic school run by monks known for their devotion to disadvantaged children. Perhaps it's tied to his Mexican American upbringing. Perhaps there's a Machiavellian motive, I'm not aware of. But to many kids of the Northeast one of the sweet memories they will take into adulthood is spending time with a very famous baseball star who mingled with them like an older brother if for just a couple of days each year he was with with Boston Red Sox.

joe , quincy


Nomar was a fantastic player, and it's too bad he couldn't finish his career here. I'm glad he's gone, though. He felt dissed by the Red Sox, and made sure the entire town knew about it. He was still getting paid $11 million to play, though. Frankly, he should have been more of a man about the whole thing. See you later, Nomar. I can't wait to say the same thing about Pedro.

Kevin, Cambridge


Red Sox Management, Boston Media, Red Sox Nation, The innitial shock of this trade has subsided, but I still find myself in disbelief of what has transpired throughout the past two seasons. No player in the history of Boston sports has ever been as adored as Nomar. Not Larry Bird, Ted Williams, or Yaz....not even close. No player in the history of the Boston Red Sox worked, or played harder. Very few have done more for the community. Yet, Nomar was all but run out of town. Why was this the case? He didn't socialize enough with his peers? Am I the only one that is paying attention to exactly who is in this clubhouse? Kevin Millar aside from being one of the most unintelligent people ever to wear a Red Sox uniform (& it's a long list), publicly hoped for a trade bringing Alex Rodriguez to the Red Sox over the winter. Manny is Manny. Pedro Martinex, though brilliant, my be the biggest premadonna in team history. Schilling, equally as talented on the mound, can't keep his mouth shut. Trot Nixon has somehow transformed into a poser with his dirty hat, helmut & WWE style commercials....you shouldn't have to convince everyone that you play hard by spectacal...your play speaks enough, which Nixon has not yet realized. My point being here, that, who is Nomar to gel with in this clubhouse of ego & ignorance? Another grievance against Nomar had to do with doubt over his injury. How quickly we forget this is a man who one a batting title & carried his team through the playoffs in 1999 with an injury to his right wrist, then played the entire 2000 season with the same injury, only to win another batting title. It is nothing short of a tragedy what has occurred in the past two seasons to this beloved sports figure. Red Sox Nation has lost the point. Love & devotion have spilled into fanatacism, which leads to utter ignorance. Nomar represented humility & sophistication. He was the face of this franchise, and regardless of what may be read in the papers, or equally unintelligent banter on WEEI, he was the leader of this team up until the 2003 season. That is, until Kevin Millar was brought in to be a "leader" of this team. Until, Curt Schilling hit the web sites. Until "Tito" decided Ortiz was more appropriate in the number three spot. This is nothing short of a disgrace. New management took his leadership from beneath him. Look at Jeff Bagwell, Todd Helton, & even Yaz. These are not & were not vocal, "rah, rah" leaders, yet there is /was no doubt whose calling the shots. What amazes me the most about all of this is how easily it has been accepted by fans of the Boston Red Sox, more so, fans of Nomar.

D, New York City


My favorite Normar memory came yesterday, when he was introduced at Wrigley Field. Growing up in Chicago and attending several games each year in the late 60's through the early 80's, the Cubs remain my favorite team. The welcome Normar received yesterday demonstrates the every day fan support we have for our players and our organization. Win or lose, the Cubs are a class organization. The standing ovation for Nomar brought back memories of the cheers I heard and the emotions I felf as a youngster for Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. Chicago fans currently have the tremendous opportunity to see a terrific future Hall of Fame outfielder with Sammy Sosa, and now have the next Mr. Cub, Nomar Garciaparra! Thank you Theo!

Sue, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI


Kind of like seeing your best friend move to across the country. You know you'll keep in touch but there will be a bit of a void in your life. Nomar is the consumate ball player, he laid it all out every game. His respect for the game and it's traditions is a rare commodity. I suppose the hard reality that is the business side of the game left few options. There might be reasons to throw blame here and there but what is done is done. I hope Nomar stays in the NL so I can pull for him and his team (unless we happen to meet in the WS!) Good Luck Nomar

Bob, Portland OR via Amherst NH


there is no doubt that Nomar earned his place among the pantheon of sox greats, but his attitude after the Arod fiasco was affecting the team. funny how his achilles injury cleared up after the trade, when he told sox management he might have to go on the DL. I have nothing but respect for the player he is, but it was clear he was no longer happy here, and was not going to be here next year. Management did what they had to do, in order to make the best of the situation. I'll take Cabrera and Mientkiewicz over nothing any day.

Mike, Swampscott


Thank God this soap opera is over. Nomar acted like a child for the past year. He turned down a deal worth $60 million last spring ($15million a year not enough for him to stay in the city he "loves"?) He was horrific when it counted last year, then got his "feelings hurt" when the Red Sox tried to trade him for the best player in the league. What is he 5? Manny was part of that deal too and got over it just fine. I'm so glad that new uniform magically cured his Achille's tendon.

Megan, Boston


Nomar was the best player the Sox organization has produced in a generation. I will always remember his hustle and the amazing plays he made at shortstop. I guess the game on his 29th birthday where he hit three homeruns will stand out, but there were so many great moments. Thank you for the memories Nomar. You will not be forgotten. I wish you all the best with the rest of your career. I bought a Cubs hat. If you stay there, I'll get a jersey.

Tricia, Easton


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