No more Nomar

In 1997, the SoxandPhils (before there was a SoxandPhils) monopolized the Rookie of the Year Awards: Nomar Garciaparra in the AL, Scott Rolen in the NL.

Each was a throwback gritty player whose exceptional skills made them seem destined for the Hall of Fame. But each saw his expectations grounded by injury before whining and moping their way out of Boston and Philly, where they should have been franchise legends.

Until they were traded, they provided Christine and me with lots of fodder for debate, which continues today. Tonight, when I asked Christine if she had any final words for Nomar, she made a reference to steroids and then ended with "Scotty's better."

Today, Nomar rejoined the Red Sox for a day to retire in the organization he started with. It was fitting to put a happy ending on a fairy tale career that went sour in 2004:

"This is where I started, this is where the dream to play baseball in the big league started here, with the Red Sox," he said. "Once I got to play in front of all these fans, and the way this city and all these fans embraced me, I mean, I always just felt that connection. Like I said, for me, I always said I truly wanted this to be the last uniform I ever put on. And today, I get to do that. And that's why it's so important to me."

I summed up my feelings on Nomar when talking about his old shirt. Coincidentally, I retired it last month, and now it's no longer antiquated. I know today was a just a gesture, but it is nice that I won't have to remember Nomar as a moper or suspected roider, but as the guy who was the Red Sox in the late '90s and early '00s.

I'll never forget him in the 1998 ALDS trying to rally the crowd and avert the inevitable loss to the Indians. I want to remember that fighting spirit, not the guy who sulked on the bench during the extra-inning game against the Yankees in 2004 as Derek Jeter crashed into the stands.

Tony Massarotti has a pretty good eulogy on Nomar's career, appropriately starting out with a quote from former Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan: "They love you at the beginning and they love you at the end. It’s the middle that’s tough."

That pretty much sums it up. Now we just need Scotty to sign a one-day deal with the Phillies before he retires. Yeah, I know, no chance of that.

Old guys with bum ankles

When we watched Brett Favre gut it out on an injured ankle on Sunday, Christine made some derogatory remarks about putting ketchup on a sock or something. I have no idea what she was talking about, but watching the old guy reminded me of Curt Schilling in the 2004 ALCS. (Although Curt didn't choke like Favre did.)

Then, I learned that Schilling might be pulling a Favre:

The following post just came across Curt Schilling's official Twitter page:

"Working out again...not sure I can add anything to that other than I feel it in every fiber of my being, every step I take..."

John Tomase, the Boston Herald's diligent reporter, followed up with him:

"Just working out," he said.

So no plans to come back?

"Nope," he said.

OK, guess that settles that, then.

So, we don't have to worry about Schilling rumors as we spend the next several months discussing whether Favre will make his umpteenth comeback.

More retirement: Mark Loretta, a Red Sox in 2006, has retired and will join Jed Hoyer in the Padres front office. He played well in his year with the Red Sox, but his stint in Boston probably wouldn't merit a mention here except for the fact that his Chris Berman nickname - Mark "Get Back" Loretta - has become a running joke for Christine and me.

Congrats, Chuck: As a Yankee hater who has gone from obese to slim, I don't know whether I'm more proud of Charlie Manuel for saying the Phillies "owe the Yankees one" or for taking care of his health. (He's looking quite dapper.)

Papi homered - cancel the gold watch and rocking chair

Mike Schmidt topped a recent David Ortiz-inspired list of great ball players who suddenly lost it. Christine and I were discussing this yesterday, wondering whether Big Papi could follow Michael Jack's path and abruptly retire amid early season struggles.

I don't know if retirement ever entered his thoughts, but Ortiz has considered drastic steps:

"I was about to hit righthanded," he admitted.

But last night he hit his first home run of 2009 as part of a 2-4 night that increased his OPS to a whopping .645.

"I feel like I got my confidence back," Ortiz said after the game. "I feel like a real hitter, not like the punch and judy hitter I've been the first 40 games ... swing like a man."

I hope so. The Greatest Clutch Hitter in Red Sox history, a very proud and amicable man, deserves to leave the game on his own terms (provided he has been clean).

Interestingly, this marks the 20th anniversary of Mike Schmidt's retirement. The Daily News has marked the occasion with the 1989 retirement story, a Rich Ashburn column led off by a Harry Kalas home run call and an interesting look back.

As a 12-year-old in North Jersey, I was surprised by the announcement, but I never knew the move surprised everyone, perhaps even Schmidt:

Mike Schmidt was 39 years old, in a slump, playing for a Phillies team destined for another last-place finish.

Nobody had a clue that within a week he would stun even those closest to him by abruptly announcing his retirement.

Six days later, standing near third base at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, he was about to make one of the biggest decisions of his baseball life. It was a sun-splashed Memorial Day weekend Sunday. All he needed was an omen.

[...]

Then, just like in the movies, it happened.

The score was tied at three in the bottom of the fourth. The Giants had runners on first and second with two outs when Robby Thompson hit a grounder right at third, the kind of play Schmidt had made countless times on his way to winning 10 Gold Gloves.

Except this time, the ball went through his legs for an error to load the bases. Mike Maddux relieved starter Ken Howell. And the next batter, Will Clark, hit a grand slam.

"And I'm thinking, 'I'm really getting nothing out of this. We're not a very good team. I'm not playing near to the level that I'm comfortable with. What do I do now?'" Schmidt said.

Hopefully last night signaled a better omen for Big Papi.

Catching up: Papi's home run and two by Jason Varitek helped Brad Penny beat the Jays 8-3, setting up a chance for a sweep tonight. (Behind Jon Lester, they're up 4-0 in the 4th.) Phillies couldn't come back last night, losing 5-1 to the Reds. They finished the series this afternoon with a 12-5 win. The top of the order - Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez - went 9-15. Utley, Ibanez, Ryan Howard and Greg Dobbs homered. Joe Blanton pitched well until the 5th, when he gave up all five runs the Reds scored; Chan Ho Park walked two in a scoreless inning, his first appearance as a Phillies reliever.

[Photo credit: Philadelphia Inquirer or Daily News file photo]