The lessons came quickly for Nomar Garciaparra on Sunday as he made his first appearance as a Cub.
When the Phillies’ Bobby Abreu homered in the first inning, Garciaparra shot out to short center field for a possible relay throw. Instead, he fielded the home-run ball fired back by a tradition-hugging Wrigley Field bleacher fan.
Welcome to Chicago.
The Cubs acquired the five-time All-Star shortstop from Boston on Saturday in a swift four-player deal that cost the Cubs previous shortstop Alex Gonzalez, plus prospects Francis Beltran, Brendan Harris and Justin Jones. The last-minute move before Saturday’s trade deadline was a bold stroke for the Cubs, who are fighting to stay in the wild-card race.
On Sunday, Garciaparra got a standing ovation, but since it was his first time at Wrigley, we’ve provided a quick primer to acquaint him with Chicago.
In Boston …
… Red Sox fans at Fenway affectionately called you Nomahhh.
… you lived in a city known for its place in American history.
… injured your Achilles tendon.
… almost went from the Red Sox to the White Sox.
… saw loud, anxious crowds lining up to see the Green Monster.
… played at the 92-year-old Fenway Park, pitched as a “museum to baseball.”
… had the Curse of the Bambino haunting the Red Sox for years.
… had easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and its sandy beaches.
… saw historic Constitution Hall.
… ate a lot of beans.
… heard fans in the box seats chattering on about the NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs and Super Bowls.
… recall fan-favorite Bill Buckner left the Cubs to make a memorable World Series error for the Red Sox.
In Chicago …
… Cub fans at Wrigley will drunkenly call you Norbert.
… you live in a city that founded the Twinkie.
… will feel right at home on the Cubs roster.
… can wear whatever color sock that you please.
… have loud, monstrous crowds lining up for the Red Line.
… can take pieces of Wrigley Field home with you.
… the curse of a guy in glasses, headphones and a green turtleneck haunting the Cubs for months.
… have the Shedd Aquarium and a bulldozed Meigs Field.
… can watch Tamron Hall.
… will find that we’re a musical town, too.
… can focus during each and every at-bat.
… will forget any and all similarities to that incident and you will forget it right now.
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Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Chris Courtney (cdcourtney@tribune.com)
