Number One – Nomar Garciaparra
Number one is quite simple and that is Nomar Garciaparra and what could have been such as a lock for the Hall of Fame and a smattering of Red Sox records. Injuries and some Boston disenchantment put that on the back burner where it will remain.
Nomar came to Boston with all the trappings of a prediction of being a star and possibly a superstar – which the latter appeared to be after two batting titles and three All-Star appointments in his first five seasons along with a Rookie of The Year Award.
Nomar was part of the great shortstop triumvirate of the American League with Derek Jeter and Rodriguez. Twice with Boston Nomar exceeded 50 doubles and twice more 30 home runs while knocking in 100+ RBI four different seasons. Nomar could hit and hit with power and finished his 14 MLB seasons with a .313 average.
For the Red Sox Garciaparra slashed .323/.370/.553 and hit 370 doubles in 11 seasons with the team before being traded midway in the famed 2004 season. Garciaparra was never cheated with an at-bat as the notorious free swinger had a career high 61 walks in 2000. Despite his aggressiveness Garciaparra was not strikeout machine as that same 2000 season he whiffed 50 times and hit a staggering .372.
Garciaparra was not an exceptional defensive player, but had the arm one would expect for the position and certainly could cover the ground – especially to his right.
Nomar was traded at the trade deadline in 2004 and got his ring, but no World Series appearance. By that point in his Red Sox career animosity between management and Garciaparra had reached the divorce stage and the inveitable happened as Boston sought a more defensive oriented player and Garciaparra’s offensive skills were certainly declining.
Next: Red Sox Big Bats May Produce More Buchholz Time
Garciaparra eventually returned to Boston by signing a one day contract to retire as a Red Sox – a nice gesture of closing old wounds as had been done with Bill Buckner.
Sources: baseball-reference/Sources: Summer of ’49/Red Sox Century