Nomar Garciaparra Retires, Joins ESPN ('Cause They Weren't Already N.E.-Centric Enough)

Now that he's retired, Nomar Garciaparra is free to do what he probably should have done a few years ago: Join the broadcast booth. After signing a one day contract to retire as a member of the Red Sox, Garciaparra will move on to ESPN. According to the Worldwide Leader, Nomar will join the cast of Baseball Tonight:

Nomar Garciaparra today announced his retirement from Major League Baseball – as a member of the Boston Red Sox – after a 14-year career, and his new role as an ESPN baseball analyst. Garciaparra will mainly be seen on Baseball Tonight, in addition to select appearances as a game analyst.  He will make his ESPN debut later this month. 

"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," said Garciaparra.  "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.  

"I look forward to contributing my knowledge and experience in this new endeavor. I thank my family, friends, teammates, and fans for their support throughout my career and as I move in this new and exciting direction."

You might think that this is the sort of cut-and-dry news story which precludes any sarcastic jabs at the city of Boston, the Boston Red Sox, or the infamous Red Sox nation. You would be wrong. Entering the mind of a Sox fan...

That's a hat that can only be worn by TRUE FANS. Loyal, card-carrying members of SAWX NATION, baby. And now NO-MAHHHHH is hittin' prime time! Giving a voice to us voiceless SAWX FANS. He's a LEGEND. Up there in the pantheon with Paps, Schilling's bloody SAWK, Teddy Ballgame, and the Remdog.

This is what the average person doesn't understand about the NATION. It's special. It's a brotherhood. It never ends with us, because we're TRUE FANS. Sure, we pretty much forgot about Nomar after we traded him in '04 and won the GREATEST CHAMPIONSHIP EVER, but that's a bond that never leaves. For the rest of his life, you think Paps is going to have to pay for a beer in this state? HELL NO.

And so what if we forgot about the old closer, Keith Foulke? He was never a true SAWK.

Paps and No-mahhhh are different. And now we get to watch clips of NO-MAH talkin' about PAPS on ESPNBOSTON. If you'd have painted this picture ten years ago, I would have spat in your face and called you crazy like Ted Johnson, that Pats linebacker we forgot about. BUT BY THE GRACE OF BELICHICK, IT'S ALL HAPPENING.

SAWX NATION IS FINALLY GETTING THE RECOGNITION WE DESERVE.

Leaving the mind of Sox fan... For what it's worth, Nomar signed his one day contract for $30.

(pictures via here, here, and here)