Strange Yet Sentimental

So, I'm at work yesterday, in my store that caters to women, and the ladies I work with are all talking about how Nomar Garciaparra has just re-signed with the Red Sox. Since I have been blessed with an extra Y chromosome, my male sports dominance gene kicked right in, as is such in these situations.

"Did I just hear you say that the Red Sox signed Nomar today?", I asked incredulously, with even a slight chuckle.

"Yes. Didn't you hear?"

"Ah no, I didn't, " I said. And in my most condescending voice I said, "And I think you may have gotten the story wrong, honey. The Sox would never re-sign Nomar today."

Again, I chuckled. Chicks, I thought and I walked away giggling and shaking my head. I couldn't get to my computer fast enough to Google that one. I was shocked to find that they were right, sort of.

Breaking news out of Fort Meyers yesterday was indeed, that the Boston Red Sox had re-signed fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra.

"Nomar Garciaparra ended his MLB career where it began; with the Boston Red Sox. As one of the most beloved Sox in recent history, his desire to return to Boston to finish his career was granted earlier today when he signed a one-day minor league contract with the Red Sox and then announced his retirement from baseball as a member of the team he has always missed. He will transition to the broadcast booth as a member of the EPSN “Baseball Tonight” crew as well as an occasional game analyst."

Strange.

It is more than a well know fact that baseball is first a business, played by tough guys and tougher agents, it is law. The Major Leagues is not a game for the physically or mentally weak. It's either kill or be killed and that's why Scott Boras shark-types and self-centered machines like Manny dominate. It's a game that has been described as the game of "Money Ball". But this?

This is somewhat...strange but sentimental. And I'm not quite sure I get it. Yet, there they were, the Sox power that be, Lucchino and Theo, sitting next to Nomar, smiling. I guess in someways it is good for the game. Fans of Nomar's got their happy ending and so did Garciaparra, but it all seemed so contrived.

And for what? His happiness?

I doubt it. I think it has more to do with good press and PR for the team and keeping Nomar in the system. Call me a cynic, but I think the team might have learned a thing or two in the past few years about pissing off former players in hasty trades and not making good on them. It's as if they're not taking any chances.

Let's call it the insurance needed to guarantee that we go another 86 years curse-free.