Update: My how quickly things went downhill when Garciaparra left Boston. The Red Sox started winning championships, and a guy who everybody thought was a future Hall of Famer turned into a completely average player who couldn't stay healthy. Garciaparra was a two time batting champ and it was safe to bet on him getting 100 runs and RBI every year when he was in Boston. However, he is currently a guy who struggles to stay in the lineup, and performs only adequately when is healthy.

8/5/2003 - ***** Best shortstop in the majors...Alex Who?

good sport, good to watch

I never thought of him as dominant. He was never the best at his position. He is a joke now.

A tasteless joke:

What were Mama Cass's last words?

Nomah Hamm!!!

I originally reviewed this guy back in December 2003, and I've left the review at the bottom. It serves as an example ofhow dramatically a player's fortunes can wane due to injury or other factors.

Garciaparra has declined dramatically from one of the top players at his position to an above average regular.

Injuries, off seasons, and possibly attitude and expectations have combined to diminish him.

At one point he seemed bound for Cooperstown, now that dream is dead in all but the fantasies of his most die-hard fans.


ORIGINAL REVIEW

While it is widely (and properly, in my view) held that the three top shortstops of this era are Garciaparra, Jeter and Rodriguez, I would further suggest that the competition really comes down to Jeter and Garciaparra. I comment on Rodriguez elsewhere, so if you're interested in why I reduce the list to two, look that up. Both Garciaparra and Jeter are similar players, great in the field, great at the plate, and great in the clubhouse. At there best you can't shine a flashlight between them. It is tempting to give Jeter the edge because he has played on championship teams, and he seems more durable, but frankly, I think they are more or less equal. Given the choice, I'd take Garciaparra.

He's possibly on his way to his best season yet for the Dodgers. The Cubs can't believe he is playing like this. Last season, Nomar's time with the Cubs consisted of time on the disabled list and hitting around .250. All he needed was a team that is not cursed!

injury prone shortstop with no glove.

He SUCKS1

The guy had to have been on the juice. He was great as a Red Sox member, but he got too strong and his body's joints and ligaments and tendons couldn't handle it. Too bad, cuz he was a really great hitter before any of that nonsense. Let's call a spade a spade though. He landed Mia Hamm. And she's about as hot and sexy as it gets, so good for him. She's the bom. Hope her second marriage goes better than her first.

he is a pretty good fielder. i still think omar is way better than him.

Pretty good hitter, but he's not as good as his reputation.

Nomar is a great hitter and above average defender. However, I can never root for him now that he's playing for the Cubs and their steroid jockey, Sammy The Cheat Sosa.

Hey Nomah! How are things in Chicago. Too bad you turned down that $15 million the Sox were offering to get paid less in Chi, and miss out on all that October fun. Good riddance to the King of the Clubhouse Cancers. And Mia Hamm is not that hot.

Cubs just re-signed Nomar today 1 year for 8 million. Hopefully he will have a fantastic year, that way we (Cubs) can wrap him up for about 5 years. Go Cubbies!!!

Excellent hitter.

yup hes an awsome player and ss. hall of fame callber. the only thign is hes has lost pwoer with the wrist injury. i wish we didnt trade him

I like Nomar but he needs to stay healthy.

he is the best in baseball

One of the best SS in the game. Not a clutch player though, and has never stepped it up in the playoffs. In 2003, his late slump carried right through the playoffs. Too bad the Sawx couldn't make the A-Rod deal. Getting Nomar and Manny would only be a positive, and getting A-Rod and Magglio would also be great. Team chemistry would be better and so would the team.

Nomar is like mad betta then derek!!Derek is a loser!! Yankees suk!! Im tellin u this year we have a betta pitching rotation then theirs n didnt spend all da money dat they did!!! Wat a bunch of losers!! dagg all of u guys dat say dat nomar suks are problably yankees!!! Dagg dat word is like an insult!! dont b hatin on him cuz he's betta than derek!! YANKEES SUKS!

Don't Get Me Wrong, I LOVE the red sox! I am there BIGGEST FRIEKIN' FAN!!! But Nomar tries to dominate, he screws up in important situations and Frankly , his teammates don't like him! I have met Ortiz, Mueller, Timlin,Jones, Ramirez and Kim, and NONE OF THEM LIKE HIM! Please! nomore nomar! I admit he has talent but USE IT!!!!

I still think Nomar is the best shortstop in the league. A-Rod's emergence came when Nomar got injured and since then he's been called the best. Once Nomar returns to his true form one again he'll lead the league in batting average and shortstops in homers. Watch out Yankees and everyone else.

He covers the plate very well, doesn't have any real weaknesses at bat, can hit the ball anywhere. Not the best shortstop, and he has a short temper. but he has years to work on that. Better hitter than Rodriguez and Jeter.

the redsox suck, why cant bosox fans accept the fact that the yankees are so much better, and he is NOT hott, have u ever taken a good look at his schnoz? hes a good ss who needs to work on his defense and not freaken swing at every first strike, oh yeah, and whats up with him dating almost everyone who was already involved? sneaky bastard

One of the elite SS in the game.

Nomar needs to learn how to play shortstop.

Garciaparra is still one of the premiere shortstops in the game and the only reason A-Rod gets picked to start in the all-star game is when he emerged as a homerun hittng monster while Nomar was injured in 2001

red sox suk

great bat, great leader, injury and suspect defense keep him at 4 stars

Nomar just loves the game. You cannot watch him play and deny that. Also you can see that he improves every game. What he does wrong in one game he does correctly the next. This attitude makes him essential to his team and an inspiration to many people, especially kids. I think he will be one of the best for years to come.

injury prone and can't lead a team to the big time.

He's amazing, a great player and a great person.

I am a diehard Sox fan, and enjoy watching Nomahhhh play, but he swings at the first pitch waaaaay too much and often makes costly fielding errors.

Not only is he a great player, he is a great person. He is a throwback kind of guy who jsut enjoys playing the game of baseball. He does as much in the community as he does on the field. He is as clutch as they come, and is better than Jeter in absolutely every category. And none of this Jeter is a winner crap, put Nomar on the Yankees and he comes with better stats in a padded line-up, and the yankees still win those rings. I can only hope the Sox sign him when his contract comes up.

Any questions.

NOMAH! This guy rocks in too many ways... 1) he's a Red Sox player 2) he graduated from Georgia Tech 3) he kicks asss

Okay, I will open by saying I am a lifelong New York Yankee fan. I will follow that with saying I absolutely love Derek Jeter. However, I will also say that of the big three shortstops, I think Nomar is the best, talent-wise, of the three. Nomar could end up, realistically, with about 400 HR, a .300 AVG and 1500 RBI by the time he is done. He will definitely go down as one of the greatest of all time.

I think Nomar Garcia-parra is amazing. Not only has he got the bat, but he's a quick thinking, quick moving shortstop always there to make double plays and stop stray grounders, not to mention that he's hot.

I needn't speak of his tremendous hitting ability. What some people tend to miss, however, is his outstanding work at shortstop. He is vital to the Red Sox ball club... we here in Boston yearn for the day he comes back from his wrist injury.

One of the best baseball players I've ever seen. Has a great attitude and gives the game everything he's got!

If only he had the time to read our comments. Baseball appears to make him happy. If he only knew what an inspiration he is and how many people he inspires, his game would only get better. Strength comes from within. If he only knew how his motivation and desire empowers others, he'd know what a gift it is to be gifted as he is.

Nomar has been great for the city of Boston both on and off the field. Not only is he the greatest shortsop in the game, he's always willing to do things for the community, especially kids. And he's never satisfied with his performance - that's why he'll be one of the best for years to come.

Nomar is an all-around excellent baseball player, he can hit, run, and play the field. I can't wait until his wrist heals and he is back in the game again! He is also very hot:)! Good luck to him!

Nomar is THE MAN!!!! he's THE best baseball player ever!! although i like yankees too and can't decide between them, Garciaparra is my fave player! i don't care what ne one says, Nomar is THE best and that's the bottom line!

Nomar is the best all round player there is. He truely plays for love of the game. We love and miss you Nomar and can't wait till your back playing again. Red Sox are gonna take it all in 2001!!!!! I LOVE YOU NOMAR!!!

Nomar is the AABP (All American Baseball Player) He trys hard, isn't cocky, great hitter, and he can always be counted on to go out and make great plays, and he loves his fans. Those are just some of the reasons why he is the AABP. HE KIX!!! And thats not including how hott he is!!!!!

Great hitter. But someone needs to tell Nomar that a shortstop also has to play defense--then again. . .he plays for Boston where winning and losing don't matter (i.e. Rod Beck).

Nomar is without a doubt the best shortstop in the history of baseball. He has won the batting titles 2 years in a row. That hasn't been done since a man by the name of Dimaggio. Thats where nomar belongs with the great names like Dimaggio, Wagner, Aaron, Mays and more. Jeter is a good player, but the yankees are Bums!!!!!

Nomaer is an ok player, but all he has going for him is that he plays for an easy city. While, Jeter(the best ss) plays int he hardest city, NY. SCREW BOSTON, YANKEES TILL THE DAY BASEBALL ENDS!!!!!

Nomar has the potential to be the greatest shortstop who as ever played!! He is a magnificent hitter as well as an awesome feilder!! Nomie is as great of a person off the feild as well as on. Though he has a big nose that doesnt affect his playing!