Fenway Park will be greeted by an old face today, Nomar Garciaparra. The man who for almost 8 seasons, was the most beloved players on the Sox, is making his first return to Boston as a member of another team. Since his trade to the Cubs in 2004 that brought Orlando Cabrera to the Sox in that title season, Nomah has made stops in Chicago, LA to play for the Dodgers, and now for the Oakland A’s.
The Fenway faithful will be sure to give him a resounding standing ovation, much like what happened a few weeks ago with the return of Derek Lowe. Despite the poor relationship he had with the media, he was adored by Red Sox fans. After all, he was the man who won the AL Batting title twice when he was here, was a rookie of the year in ’98, almost was an MVP, and was a perennial all-star.
When he was traded, it looked like the Sox were losing a true superstar of the game. However, almost the opposite is what happened. In a year and a half with the Cubbies, he had 13 homers and all of 50 rbi’s; far from the totals he had in Boston. He slightly resurrected his career in 2006 with the Dodgers, when he hit 20 dingers, and knocked in 93, but that was the best year he has had since. he has been plagued by injuries for the past few years, and this year with Oakland is batting a un-Nomaresque .257, with just 10 rbi’s.
Yet, despite the lack in production, he will be greeted with a warm welcome by the fans, who will always remember him for what he did here in Boston, rather than what he has done since then.
