the rise and fall of nomar garciaparra

just a few years ago, when asked to name the best shortstops in mlb, the consensus was alex rodriguez, derek jeter, and nomar garciaparra -- with jeter and nomar the subject of many debates as to who was the second-best shortstop, the proverbial runner-up to a-rod.

for sox fans, garciaparra seemed destined to be a "lifer" within the organization, surely playing his entire career in boston. 2001 foreshadowed nomar's regression from a top-tiered mlb shortstop to an injury-riddled displaced new englander. 2002 and 2003 were stellar years for the coveted californian, and as far as nomar's camp was concerned, injuries weren't even a factor when trying to negotiate a new contract with the sox.

when nomar rejected a four year, $60mn contract offer from the sox prior to the 2003 season, his fate was sealed in beantown. nomar's agent was looking for respect, for "jeter" money. the sox were looking to trim payroll to help offset manny's ridiculous paychecks. in fact, the sox later retracted the $60mn offer to nomar, replacing it with a more "market corrected" $48mn deal for four seasons.

despite nomar's teary-eyed pleadings to the media regarding his loyalty to the team, open confessions of his true love for boston, and contentment with the prospects of retiring comfortably wearing his rouge hosiery in a massachusett's suburban farmhouse at the end of his playing career, garciaparra refused to be insulted by such a “meager” contract. subsequently, the sox’ front office discontinued contract talks with nomar altogether – the sox already had him signed till the end of the 2004 season per his current contract, so there wasn’t an immediate need to re-sign him.

nomar and the sox carried on, completing the 2003 season in what could be called a tumultuous year between the two parties. feelings were hurt, irreconcilable differences abounded. 2004 began with high hopes, but nomar only spent half of the season with the sox (playing in less than 40 games due to injuries) before theo epstein made the gutsy call to relieve garciaparra of his duties in beantown, booting him out of the sox’ organization in favor of the sure-handed, ultra-reliable orlando cabrera.

as fate had it, the sox continued the 2004 schedule without nomar, winning their first world series title in 86 seasons almost in spite of him, a symbolic slap in the face. garciaparra watched his former team win the world series while lying on a metaphorical gurney with the taste of boston ale just a few months removed from his mouth's memory, daydreaming about the infamous dirty water of the Charles River that was a stone's throw from his former residence, while fantasizing about mia hamm caressing his balls on landsdowne street after a long day's work at fenway.

the dream was gone, but he had nobody else to blame but himself.

2005 was just as dismal for the former star, ending any thoughts that nomar could overcome the onslaught of injuries that were certain to plague him. $8.25mn for approximately 70 days' work (230 at-bats) last year was a bit unjustifiable, even by enron's accounting standards.

the yankees have reportedly offered nomar a job in 2006 – as a first baseman! other clubs have also offered nomar a job – as an outfielder. the once highly-touted superstar who played at a premium mlb position would now be fortunate to sign a long-term contract with mcdonald’s – even as a fry cook. the consensus now appears to be that nomar is no longer suited to play the shortstop position given its rigorous demands coupled with his propensity to miss work. the future is uncertain for the former fenway staple – visions of large contracts are nowhere in sight – another tale of myopic greed gone bad.

he has nobody to blame but himself.