Look Who It Is: Nomar Garciaparra

Well, why don’t you love me like you used to do?  How come you treat me like a worn out shoe?  My hair’s still curly and my eyes are still blue.  Why don’t you love me like you used to do?  -Hank Williams

Public Service Announcement:  Ok, here we go!  Well, looky looky here.  Look what the cat done drug in.  If ain’t good ole Nomah.  Last I saw of this dude he was sitting it out with some sore nuts while Derek Jeter was diving head first into the stands smashing his face open.  I’m sorry.  I am.  That’s not fair.  Even though that snapshot in time probably perpetuated the first World Series Championship in Boston in eighty-six years, there was a time when Nomar was the most beloved athlete in town.  Nomar burst upon the scene hitting thirty bombs and knocking in ninety-eight runs as a rookie.  He set the MLB record for RBIs by a leadoff hitter.  His 30-game hitting streak set an A.L. rookie record.  Rookie rookie, who gets the cookie?  He was named Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote.  Nomar went on to become one of the best hitters in the Holy Trinity of shortstops.  Nomar went on to lead the American League in batting for two years straight.  The first right-handed batter to win consecutive batting titles since Joltin’ Joe himself.  Yowza!  Fenway was a veritable sea of numbah five jerseys.  Then he went on the cover of SI.  Went on the cover of SI looking like a Chippendale’s Dancer.  Then the wrist became balky.  He did come back.  Came back to drive in 120 runs while leading the league in doubles.  But things just weren’t the same.  You don’t look different, but you have changed.  I’m looking through you, you’re not the same.  Money started to become an issue.  $60 million just wasn’t enough.  Too much is never enough.  Then Jeter dove head first into the stands.  Then Theo Epstein sent Nomar to the North Side of Chicago.  The deal helped the Red Sox win a World Series but at the same time, it deprived us from watching one of our favorite sons have an opportunity to be a part of it. 

Now look at him.  Looking fresh as a daisy.  Like Bubbe always says, “A maidel mit a klaidel.”  Playing shortstop yet.  The Dodgers got sick of watching Angel Berroa and Luis Maza kicking the ball around so they moved Nomar to shortstop upon his return from the D.L.  In his first game back, he fielded two grounders over seven errorless innings.  But make no mistakes, Nomar’s in there for his bat.  Rockin’ it for old time’s sakes.  Say what you want about Nomar, but when he’s healthy, he hits.  He’s healthy now.  He’s hitting now.  In his first game back, Garciaparra was two for four with two doubles, two runs batted in and a run scored.  How about that?  How about this?  Nomar came off the DL on Independence Day.  We will not go quietly into the night!  We will not vanish without a fight!  We’re going to live on!  We’re going to survive!  Today we celebrate our Independence Day!  Nomar’s been celebrating all right.  Since coming off the disabled list he is celebrating a .308 batting average.  Since coming off the disabled list he is celebrating with five doubles.  Since coming off the disabled list, he is celebrating with four bombs and fourteen RBIs in eighteen games.  Not too shabby.  No to shabby at all. 

Know what else isn’t shabby?  Huh?  Do ya?  His clutch hitting.  That’s what.  I know Bill James says there’s no such thing.  Screw Bill James.  Nomar Garciaparra is hitting .421 this season with runners in scoring position.  He is now batting .374 in such situations in his two-plus seasons with the Dodgers.  Goodness!  And if you don’t like that, you might like this.  Nomar’s Carne Asada Sunday’s are back, baby!  That’s right.  The Los Angeles Dodgers and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will once again host Carne Asada Sunday.  Hooray!  Hooray Carne Asada Sunday!  Mariachi bands.  Food.  Beverages.  Fun for the whole family.  So come one.  Come all.  Come see Nomah.  Come see the batting glove adjusting, feet kicking phenom.  ‘Cause you never know how long it’s gonna last.

Public Acknowledgements:  Beatles, Grandma Addie, Brand Nubian and President Thomas J. Whitmore

Public Spectacle: