Nomar Garciaparra

Nomar Garciaparra was a shortstop best known for his time playing in the majors with the Boston Red Sox. Garciaparra débuted in the Major Leagues in 1996 with the BoSox, and in 1997 was named American League Rookie of the Year, batting .306 that year. He played in Boston from 1996-2004 and was then traded to the Chicago Cubs (2004-05) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2005-08), before finishing his career with one year with the Oakland Athletics in 2009.

Garciaparra hit for both power and average, finishing with a career average of .313, with 229 home runs, and 936 RBI. He led the American League in batting in 1999, with .357, and 2000, with .372, and batted over .300 eight times in his 14-year career. He was named to the All-Star team six times (1997, 1999-2000, 2002-03, 2006) and in 2006 was named National League Comeback Player of the Year, when he hit .303.

Garciaparra later became a baseball analyst on ESPN. He married Mia Hamm, soccer superstar who played for the USA at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics and at the 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2004 FIFA Women’s World Cup.