More Nomar Thoughts

Not sure if the rest of the country can fathom the psychological bombshell trading Nomar is for Red Sox Nation. Personally - hearing about the trade will remain with me the rest of my life similar to the news of the Challenger disaster or President Reagan being shot. I know that seems to be out of whack as far as priorities are concerned but that's the God's honest truth and I'm sure many Red Sox fans feel the same way.

Some more random thoughts about Nomar and this trade:

- Theo Epstein points out that the Red Sox can now field three former Gold Glovers plus Bill Mueller at third on days when Derek Lowe pitches. That is a HUGE psychological advantage for a mentally fragile pitcher. Were talking like one run of ERA here.

- Nomar was the best baserunner I ever saw in a Red Sox uniform. He may not have been the fastest baserunner but he was the best. Just look at the number of triples Nomar was able to rack up.

- Just speaking the truth - look for questions about Nomar using steroids in the past (remember the SI cover?) or being a victim of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to become top topics of conversations in the taverns of New England and then shortly thereafter in the mainstream press. We started to see some of this back in the days when Tom Hicks and Alex Rodriguez were holding Boston hostage to that blockbuster trade.

- Even though I'm a huge Theo supporter - I think this trading deadline just made Paul DePodesta the new golden boy among baseball GM's.

- This team has been a .500 ballclub for months and there is too much talent here for .500 to be acceptable. It should be noted that the Red Sox did play their best baseball when Nomar was on the DL (just saying - that's all).

- I hope David McCarty can still get that Director of Player Development job from the A's.

- Suddenly I'm feeling bad for Brian Daubach who it is clear is not in the Red Sox plans except as an insurance spare part.

- Nomar is fifth all-time with the Red Sox in batting average with a .323 career average. He's behind Ted Williams (.344). Wade Boggs (.338), Tris Speaker (.337) and Manny Ramirez (.325)

- Nomar is fourth all-time for the Red Sox in slugging percentage with his .553. He stands behind only Ted Williams (.634), Manny Ramirez (.615) and Jimmy Foxx (.605).

- Nomar is 8th all-time for the Red Sox in doubles (279), ninth in HR (178) and 10th in total bases (2194)

- There is absolutely no way Nomar gets his number retired by the Red Sox.