Nomar Garciaparra Retires From Baseball

Sports News - March 10th, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

Nomar Garciaparra spent the majority of his career with Boston, and is one of their most popular players in history. It only seems fitting that he would retire as a member of the Red Sox. That is exactly what will take place, as the short-stop will signing a one-day contract with the club, and announce his retirement from the game of baseball.

Following his retirement, Garciaparra will remain close to the game, and become a member of the ESPN family as a baseball analyst. He will be featured on Baseball Tonight, and will sporadically appear on ESPN's broadcasts of Sunday Night Baseball.

"After years of enjoying the privilege of playing this great game wearing Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, and A's jerseys in front of truly amazing fans, today I've decided to end my playing days," Garciaparra remarked through a statement on ESPN. "I've been blessed to have had a long career as a player and feel fortunate to continue this great journey as a member of the ESPN team."

The Red Sox will hold a press conference today at City of Palms Park.

Garciaparra spent 14 years in the Major Leagues, of which his first nine were with Boston. He was was a multiple All-Star selection and shined with the organization. He is widely considered as the best short-stop to don a Red Sox uniform.

In 1997, he was elected as the American League Rookie of the Year. In his prime, he was known as one of the most consistent hitters in all of baseball, as evident by his consecutive batting titles in 1999 and 2000.

In his nine seasons with Boston, Garciaparra tabbed .323 batting average, 178 home runs, and 690 RBI's.

Most Notably was the 2004 Major League Baseball season, in which Garciaparra was dealt just before the trade-line to the Chicago Cubs. The Red Sox acquired Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera. Boston went on to win their first World Series since 1918, a span of 86 years.

Garciaparra played for the Oakland A's last season, and appeared in 65 games. He tabbed a .281 batting average, three home runs and 16 RBI's. The fall is production was a driving force behind the short-stops' decision to leave baseball, and he didn't think any place other than Boston would be the proper place to do it.

"My tank's empty," Garciaparra said at a press conference. "It wouldn't have felt like a retirement if I couldn't have put this uniform on one more time."

With the 2010 Major League Baseball Season on the horizon, MLB Sportsbooks are fielding wagers on the betting favorite to claim the World Series championship. The defending champion New York Yankees lead the way, with 7/4, according to MLB Betting Lines listed on Bodog Sportsbook.