Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra announced his retirement as a member of the Red Sox after signing a one-day minor league contract to return to the organization with whom he began his professional career in 1994. Garciaparra was selected as a first-round draft pick that summer, and spent parts of nine years in the major leagues starting in 1996, including a 1997 Rookie of the Year campaign, a 1998 season when he was the runner up in the American League MVP race and a pair of years in 1999 and 2000 when he won batting titles.

“I’ve always had a recurring dream, to be able to retire in a Red Sox uniform,” said Garciaparra. “Today I get to fulfill that dream and retire as a Red Sox. Earlier today, I signed a minor league contract to be a part of the organization once again. I was getting choked up then, and I’m getting choked up now. I’ve got the chills, but to be able to have that dream come true, I really just can’t put into words because of what this organization has always meant to me, meant to my family, the fans, I always tell people Red Sox Nation is bigger than any nation out there, and to be able to tell people that I came back home to be a part of Red Sox Nation is truly a thrill.”

“The way the city, the fans embraced me, I always just felt that connection,” he continued. “For me, I always said, ‘You know what? I really, truly always wanted that to be the last uniform I ever put on.’ Today I get to do that.”

A transcript of the press conference, in which Garciaparra was joined by Sox GM Theo Epstein and CEO Larry Lucchino, follows. Garciaparra also appeared on the Dale & Holley Show to discuss his decision. To listen to that interview, click here.

Theo Epstein: My part is pretty simple. I am here to announce that we’ve signed Nomar Garciaparra to a contract to return home to the Boston Red Sox, and we’re thrilled about that. We welcome him back. And I’ll turn it over to Nomar for the rest of the announcement.

Nomar Garciaparra: I’m about to take off to the minor league facility right now. Read the rest of this entry »