The barrage of criticism began minutes after Nomar Garciaparra tore off his Red Sox uniform for the final time Saturday.
Listening to Red Sox management and reading media reports, one would surmise that Garciaparra was disgruntled, injured, aloof, unhappy, selfish and couldn’t wait to flee Boston so he could sign a free-agent deal with a team in Southern California next year.
It was almost as if the Cubs had acquired one of the game’s surliest, most troubled players.
But the smile on Garciaparra’s face Tuesday belied that image. Before the Cubs-Rockies game at Coors Field he answered back at his critics.
“It’s unfortunate,” Garciaparra said. “It’s not really a reflection of me. I can’t really control what’s being said. I just addressed the issue and said here’s the truth. They apparently have different stories over there, or trying to have different ones.
“I’ve heard a lot of stuff. I heard I was [disgruntled]. Earlier in the year, I heard I was faking (an Achilles’ injury). Yeah, that’s the way I am. You want to sit out two months in a year you’re a free agent. That makes a lot of sense.”
Red Sox owner John Henry, speaking publicly for the first time since the Garciaparra trade, told the Hartford Courant Tuesday that Garciaparra wasn’t happy in Boston–despite a $60 million offer though much of it deferred–and the shortstop even asked his agent to facilitate a trade a week before the July 31 deadline.
Henry said that discussion took place between agent Arn Tellem and Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.
“Arn said that he had to talk Nomar out of demanding a trade,” Henry said. “So we knew from that he didn’t want to be here.”
In an ESPN report on the day of the trade, while a clip of Garciaparra sitting by himself on the bench during a game he sat out against the Yankees was being shown, he was described as “aloof” and separating himself from his teammates.
“My teammates told me `Go sit down in your superstitious spot so we can go score some runs–go back to your spot,'” Garciaparra said. “My teammates are like, `He’s in his spot where he’s been for the last eight years.’
“I’ve heard I was unhappy there, that I wanted out. I was like, man, that’s unfortunate. I wanted out? My wife and I bought a new home there in the off-season and spent a pretty penny on that. It’s being built right now. Does it surprise me, all this stuff? I don’t know.”
Garciaparra conceded his right Achilles’ tendon will cause him to miss an occasional game, but denied he told the Boston trainer he would have to take “significant time” off. Trainer Dave Groeschner said an exam of Garciaparra’s injury led the Cubs to believe it’s nothing to be seriously concerned about.
“I never claimed I would be 100 percent when I came back from this injury,” Garciaparra said. “I just expected to be well enough to play, and that’s where I am. I never denied I’m going to need days off. Chicago knows that as well.”
Dusty Baker can empathize with Garciaparra. As soon as he left San Francisco and was ready to sign with the Cubs, a story leaked out that he’d had problems with the IRS. Garciaparra is getting roughed up in the town he just left.
“I’ve always believed that what you’re going to say about a person when they’re gone, you should say about him when they’re there,” Baker said. “Hey, he’s ours now, and that’s all that matters. . . . I tell all the guys that come here, `You’re getting a fresh start, and I’m going to give you every opportunity to delete or enhance that reputation.'”
Garciaparra was in such a good mood he shrugged off a comment by Epstein , who said the Red Sox improved their defense in switching from Garciaparra to Orlando Cabrera.
“They can say whatever they want,” he said. “If they feel that way, that’s great. They got great players … and they have great players there. At the same time, I don’t have to worry about how they play or what they do anymore.”
Extra innings
Greg Maddux’s first attempt at 300 wins, combined with Garciaparra’s debut, launched the Cubs to their highest TV ratings since 1998. The Cubs-Phillies game on WGN-Ch. 9 was the top-rated program in Chicago on Sunday with a 14.8 rating and a 33 share. It’s the highest rated Cubs game in August since 1989, and their season ratings are up 78 percent over last year at this time.
