Nomar not forgotten in Boston

Nomar Garciaparra recently got a gift from his playoff-bound former teammates in Boston -- a playoff share. Even though his 10-year relationship with the team ended at this year's trade deadline, his former teammates honored his contributions to the franchise, and he will be awarded about $200,000. After all, without him, it's doubtful the Red Sox would have ever won the World Series. \nThat's right, in a genius move that only makes sense looking back on it, Nomar didn't embrace the leadership role. Instead, he choose to alienate his teammates and the Boston fans by complaining about his contract. Without this lack of leadership earlier in the season, guys like Manny Ramirez, Kevin Millar and David Ortiz may never have taken the reins of the team and guided them so well. \nHey, if he hadn't sat out all of those games nursing a barely sore leg, Pokey Reese may not have gotten the practice he needed to become such a reliable defensive replacement. \nOr how about the fact that had he not have whined repeatedly to management, he may have never been traded to the Chicago Cubs and therefore the Sox would have never gotten Orlando Cabrera. All Cabrera has done is play masterfully in the field while hitting .315 with 11 RBI in the postseason. Thanks, Nomar. \nOf course you can't forget the most important contribution that Nomar Hamm made. I mean, without him the Cubs may have actually made the playoffs. If the Cubs had been around, they might have offered a much tougher opponent than the Cardinals, seeing as how their pitching is far superior. Instead, he helped engineer one of the more staggering meltdowns of the Wild Card era, with those pop-outs in key situations and double plays with runners in scoring position. Man, I bet Boston fans really miss those. \nSince he was shipped out of town, the Sox have, without a doubt, been the best team in baseball. The "Idiots," as they have been dubbed, have been unstoppable offensively, solid defensively and Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez have simply been dominant. Apparently the missing piece of the puzzle was a competent shortstop (Cabrera) and for everyone to put the team first, not themselves. Wow, what a novel concept, befriend your teammates and don't publicly complain about your organization. I'm glad Mr. Hamm was able to do the things he did, or the Sox may never have learned these valuable lessons. \nMaybe I'm being too harsh. Some people have complained that I pick on Nomar too much, possibly because he boots more balls than his wife, would go on the disabled list with a hangnail or is about as effective offensively in the clutch as the IU football team. I'm sorry for targeting him, but it's just too easy. The guy had the world in the palm of his hand; he was going to be the next Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski or Johnny Pesky. You know, guys who spent their whole careers in Boston as beloved leaders who never won a championship. But he had to go screw it up by blaming all his troubles on the city, the fans and the team's management ... sad really.\nSo for all Boston fans and players I would like to say this: Thank you, Nomar. Thank you for finally leaving, for becoming another city's problem and for bringing the Red Sox closer simply by not being around. Have fun with the $200,000, buddy; you've earned it.