Garciaparra rejoins Red Sox for day, then retires

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -Nomar Garciaparra rejoined the Red Sox for one day and then retired, ending a 14-year career in which he won an MVP award with Boston and became a beloved player in the city.

The shortstop signed a one-day contract with his former team Wednesday before announcing he's leaving baseball at 36 to become an ESPN analyst.

“From the first day I had the thrill of putting on a Red Sox uniform and playing in front of all the great fans at Fenway Park, I have felt at home in Boston,” Garciaparra said in a statement. “While I had the privilege of playing with other legendary teams, I always saw myself retiring in a Red Sox uniform.”

Garciaparra played parts of nine seasons in Boston. He was a six-time All-Star who captured the 1997 American League MVP Award and won batting titles in 1999 and 2000.

He is also set in Red Sox lore for being part of a four-team trade in 2004 that helped the club win its first World Series in 86 years.

“Nomar will always hold a special place in Red Sox history and in the hearts of Red Sox Nation,” owner John Henry said. “His accomplishments on the field and in the community place him among the greatest players to wear a Red Sox uniform. We are very appreciative that Nomar is ending his career where it began.”

Garciaparra spent the past five seasons with the Cubs, Dodgers and A's. He had a .313 career average with 229 home runs and 936 RBIs.

Garciaparra was in the thick of the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry, and always drawing respect.

“I always enjoyed playing against Boston because of Nomar,” Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said. “I used to enjoy being mentioned with him.”

Added Alex Rodriguez: “I love Nomar. He's a great player and a friend.”

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AP Sports Writer Howie Rumberg in Tampa, Fla., contributed to this report.