Nomar Garciaparra

Joining us right now from Fort Myers, Florida guy who also signed a new contract a one day contract with the Boston Red Sox and announced his retirement from baseball. Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra Nomar -- on Michael in Boston how -- Goodell. I don't Michael Garcia thank you thanks for them in on guys tejada to decide that this was the what you wanted to and your playing career.

You know when now is -- obviously contemplating retirement or yeah offseason. And came to the decision nice it you know there's one there's one uniform I would where I mean that I think I talked about this when I came to Fenway. This past year with Oakland I talked about Iowa said this recurring drained. You know to put on the uniform. You know he differs uniform worn and then that'd be my last. And and today that they dream comes true thanks. The red sock or damage thanks mr. Warner mr. -- the -- and the whole Red Sox organization. I can't thank them enough. Allow me to fulfill that dream mean my first dream came true and a Red Sox uniform and I was playing in the big leagues and you know managing -- to come true as well you know finishing my career retiring as a member of the Red Sox and I truly can't thank them enough and there's so many emotions can have -- me right now aids you know try to take it all man. I think the way Red Sox -- the fans. Have just. Embrace me throughout my career. You know now only as a member as a Red Sox but after being a member of the Red Sox as well I mean I can't say how many times I just had people come out to me say thank you. We appreciate you we love you. And that is stuck me is that feeling has always been mutual and hopefully you know with today I really show them that. I was sincere when I was telling you that the feeling has always been there and I and I love them just as much.

You know -- a lot of professional athletes regardless of sport. Say it's it's difficult to admit when the career is over into some guys have a hard time knowing when it's time to go away win. Do you think -- inspected a moment when you have that moment when you -- that revelation that okay I am done playing baseball on you to move on to do something else.

Yeah you know. I'm gonna I still quote from a teammate and friend of mine -- time until May be he said he has he said the date. And he said he said is set in his locker in the news this tank was empty. And for me at Bagram that's gotta be the coolest feeling the greatest thing I've ever heard it is that he news that he gave everything he had. And it is time in this offseason I was I was trying to get myself in shape and I was working out primary coming home in the in -- and -- My tanks empty. I just I just physically couldn't do it I can work out the way I like to to what it takes to prepare myself to play at this level. Both from from a physical standpoint mental standpoint -- just neon like you know the tanks tanks empty I gave it I've given it everything I had. And kid and I know you know finding out so much about myself physically from. You know this genetic condition that I have as well. That I've been battling in and we'll continue to battle as well but at the same time just known know that just the crying taking care of that mentally and physically as well what it takes it said -- I can't do this anymore at this level and I said it's time to move on and and now is. It's good to be able to say that for me I think it's a -- thrilled to be able to say you know. It's empty and I'm okay within obviously to be a bullet in the minutes that I I've given it everything I possibly could.

Is it true that the last couple of years you put in calls to -- at different times asking about the possibility. Of coming back to this organization as a player you know we -- We've talked -- we've kept you know I think we've kept a good relationship throughout.

You know throughout my tenure away from the Red Sox which is. Which is special you know and I think that's great that we are able to keep that that relationship as well. And obviously because of that relationship it's come to a day like today you have this wonderful day. And we we definitely Chad we definitely have talked and you know as you know being a free agent in the woods always is so much that figure -- more just keep those lines of communication open as well. And you know he has done a phenomenal job obviously here at the Red Sox fan and he's always just been a true professional class act and and I think that's where there's such a mutual respect there as well with that so. You know I can't thank him enough obviously just the way we kept that relationship ought to -- it would have a day like today. Nomar how difficult was it shoots it to get to this point we have. Good relationship -- with the Red Sox in -- you you do to -- 2003 and 2004 is that. That offseason the Red Sox trying to make moves. And the trade. You thought about the trade found out about the trade in Minnesota how typical -- what was the process. Of going through that painful period to get to where you are today well I think. You know there's -- obviously all that was -- shocking and shocking shock for any player that goes through trade and exist. I think there's such time.

Where you really. Understand that you know baseball -- both as a business as well there's a business part of this game in the business side isn't always pretty ahead of body of business approach say that. And might not be what you alike are what you wanna hear. And you know that exists -- he he eventually soon realize that you know there's something just bigger bigger than all of us I mean there's bigger their -- bigger than. Then Miller the owners right now and have always been here and asked about Red Sox and in the Red Sox organization. The tradition here Boston. The fans the people who really make the tradition and what this place is all about and I've realized that I've always realize that but. Even more so I think being away from it and just seen all the fans and it just come up to me over the years and I think. With those fans coming up to me all of the great things that they've said. I think really helped me go you know what that there's you know that. Effective in a business decision that was made you know -- that's over there's a bigger thing you know here than Meehan and them and everything to. To feel any you know animosity -- bitterness which. You know that might have just I've really -- might have felt that just that one day that one day is this time to move on from act of uniform try to win a World Series though. You know as a professional and as a person you you feel and you move on.

We were reminiscing or earlier in the program about your career here on both of us came to the conclusion. That the greatest thing we could say is that you always played the game the right way I can't remember a single time when -- dog get to first base what are you want fans remember about your career here.

I appreciate you guys saying that it's that's. Thank you I think you if you think that thank you. Believing that he is. I I think as a player that's all you can ask -- as you know numbers denies that this game what you accomplish. You know to me you know coming go would be talked about their bodies are relevant but I think ultimately once they -- you played the game the right way. And if people could say that about my career I think. I silicon -- be proud of what -- done it is that's really what you wanna -- this -- walk away from this came about to have. To be looked at that way not only from the fans who were gracious enough to come watch you. Watch you every day at the field on TV whoever folly of your teammates as well -- then saying that appears to me that's a big reforming.

So now -- guys I also gotta tell you at all never forgive you for having little kids all across New England fiddling with -- batting collapse.

I think it's great it works right -- I every every look I you went to work -- play another -- it out over the -- that's about divisive idea because it works you know and in. You know the batting -- you know contract I have was great they loved it because all the kids are doing it so no I know I know right now and I get a lot of you agree for that. You know what you do is part of the whole routine to get focusing in and do it had to do. You sound a lot more mellow mellow -- in what do you attribute it to -- with that statement and if so what you -- you know I. I think I'm glad I can sound that way -- that that one doesn't mean obviously you're sin and a day like today talking about retirement that I'm not in. It's definitely an emotional day for me because of what this you know what this day means to me Natalie just from walked away from the game but to put you know to be part of the Red Sox once again. I think that -- this is just he's in that. I'm content with my decision content that Hamas to get to spend more time -- my family thought. And spent down my lovely wife my two lovely daughters and and also I think the other thing great thing is -- move you move in on him and be working for years again. And that that's my next line works I joined on the team and and so I don't get I don't walk away -- from this game that I love so much has been a part of my life for so long. And I still get to be around in the associated with that -- looking forward to that new challenges well. Now covering you often on. From from 1997. To 2000 report. If someone said to me yes Nomar Garciaparra next job I -- gone through 55%. -- and I. A member of the media so it's -- fact I do you know -- I always like talking to the media you know I'd say I think there's I know there's a big misconception about that but I I'll tell you I think a lot of times that. You know when it when it came from me when it came would deal with that I was always says it -- I had to respect is respected for all the guys as well and I think for me it was more I was. They had just -- wanna take away from what. I had to do on the field and I was so focused and you know it really baseball consider me twenty for seven it really did today. At the itself from my routines and all that stuff by just didn't do it just on the field it is. It was there all around when I went home. From the minute I woke up to minute level went to sleep -- and it and it took that that much of me in order for me to feel like I can play at that level so I think. That's where it just kind of came -- they came off that way but at the same time I'll always respected it and I didn't know what the next line of work would be for me. And let you know obviously from the knowledge and expansive I've been fortunate to have in this game that hopefully I -- Yet continue that passed that on and do that in the form of the media as well and be part of that is -- teams so. You know. We'll get to have fun together and a deficit to. And when you're when you're married to Mia Hamm arguably the greatest female soccer player in the history of the sport. She understands what today means your daughters have a clue what it means. You know it's funny my daughter's have a clue just yet it was news it was. Although they did add to it today is down as those signing that contract and and and and signing the retirement papers you have to put a reason why you retiring. And I asked my got to go I'm married time because he's like -- you know what daddy they want daddy to be home you know and I actually wrote them a contact daughters want daddy home that's I. Add that I that was great and and so from that standpoint I think it's great and I've been very lucky like -- that in this game I'm blessed and and it's also lucky to have. A white that understands the way she does and -- and to be able to have that encouragement that support. And those discussions from somebody who gets it so it's been great and -- and I can't thank you guys not thanks for having me on and and and and I look forward to the next challenge is for sure. Ask your quick question on the way out -- guy who was also a member of the media and the opportunity to work with them on TV radio it's overload you. You become so close theft. If we became so close and we've because it I'll start in the minors I think when you have somebody who he started with in the minors and minor leagues is tough -- is not easy. -- to the minors and you know everyone having the same dream of one game making it to the big leagues in for Lou and I. And we've Regis it off from day one in the minor leagues in Maine so we became so close not only playing together rooming together we train in the offseason together. It's families this unbelievably embrace any kind of became my parents kept their in the northeast and Boston and and that's why we became just says she's Franzen and so close and you know and that's a friendship that never leaves you and and that's what's great I think I've I've been able to make a lot of friendships that way throughout this game this wonderful game you know both on and off the field and and I've been very blessed in that sense sampling as well will say good bye with a words of a text or on the screen of astronomy it's as Nomar welcome home. -- thank you guys thank you I appreciate that street give me this time and please. Please. Tell all the Red Sox Nation how much I love them thank you guys so much take care Arctic -- guys.

That is -- former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra joining us live from Fort Myers.