NakamuraMy Idol, My Hero, and My Inspiration
He was more than just a player to me. He was more than just an all-star. He was more than a two time batting champion to me. Nomar Garciaparra was my idol.
Nomar was the reason why I started playing baseball. When I was around 4 years old, I knew what baseball was, but I was just a fan. I had actually never set foot on a real baseball diamond before.
I barely remember the day, but I know it well enough to tell the story. I was watching a Mets - Phillies game on television. My older brother had actually gone to the game to watch it with a friend. During a commercial, I flipped through the channels until I came across FOX's Game of the Week. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Tim Wakefield was pitching.
But that's all I can remember. I don't remember the score. I don't even remember who won. But I do remember watching Nomar go up to the plate and do his whole routine with his batting
gloves and clicking of his feet. I remember being amazed by Wakefield's knucle ball. And I remember after that day, I wanted to be just like both of them.
Although it's been over a decade since that day, I still consider it to be a turning point of my life. I'm now a high school student, but that day has changed me. Sure enough, I'm on my school's baseball team. When I saw the television that day, I actually had no idea what kind of a star Nomar was. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to be like him. He played the game the right way. It wasn't about money. It was about playing for the love of the game.
Almost all elementary students have to give a corny speech about who they want to be like when they grow up sooner or later. Most people say their "dad" or "mom" or "superman". Generally, something stupid. But I said "Nomar Garciaparra". He was my role model. He was my idol. Once I started playing baseball, I was a shortstop until I hit my 9th birthday. That was when I made a permanent switch to catcher. I had lived by Nomar's example for 5 years.
Even though there was a position change, my heart remains the same to this day. I still want to be like Nomar. It deeply saddened me when I came home on March 10th, 2010 and found out about his retirement. I actually had a baseball tryout that day in order secure my spot for the next season. And I actually had a good day. I was in a great mood, all smiles, until... I read the headlines. I wanted to cry. I know he is just retiring. He's not dead or anything. But I can't help but believe my hero had been cheated. He should have been a first ballot hall of famer. He should have been one of the greatest Red Sox of all time, right next to Ted Williams.
But injuries robbed him of all that. Bad luck and misfortune lead to a terrible disappointment. Nomar probably has more talent than me in his finger than I do in my entire body. But I won't sell myself short. I still want to be like Nomar. Mr. Garciaparra, thanks again for providing me with inspiration. I will play ball until my body refuses to carry on. I will take more innings than humanly possible. I will push the envelope until I am the best that I can possibly be. And worse than that won't do. And if... just if, one day I do make the major leagues, I would like it very much if you would watch me play.
Even if I only get one at bat at the big league level, I'll be happy. I could die knowing that I fulfilled my lifetime dream. If I do, it'll be all thanks to you, Mr. Nomar Garciaparra. Thank you for providing me with the inspiration. Thank you for providing my life with purpose and meaning. Thank you for a fantastic career. You will be cherished in all the hearts of Red Sox Nation, and you will never be forgotten.
Nakamura
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura
Nomar was the reason why I started playing baseball. When I was around 4 years old, I knew what baseball was, but I was just a fan. I had actually never set foot on a real baseball diamond before.
I barely remember the day, but I know it well enough to tell the story. I was watching a Mets - Phillies game on television. My older brother had actually gone to the game to watch it with a friend. During a commercial, I flipped through the channels until I came across FOX's Game of the Week. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Tim Wakefield was pitching.
But that's all I can remember. I don't remember the score. I don't even remember who won. But I do remember watching Nomar go up to the plate and do his whole routine with his batting
My Idol: Nomar Garciaparra
Although it's been over a decade since that day, I still consider it to be a turning point of my life. I'm now a high school student, but that day has changed me. Sure enough, I'm on my school's baseball team. When I saw the television that day, I actually had no idea what kind of a star Nomar was. The more I learned about him, the more I wanted to be like him. He played the game the right way. It wasn't about money. It was about playing for the love of the game.
Almost all elementary students have to give a corny speech about who they want to be like when they grow up sooner or later. Most people say their "dad" or "mom" or "superman". Generally, something stupid. But I said "Nomar Garciaparra". He was my role model. He was my idol. Once I started playing baseball, I was a shortstop until I hit my 9th birthday. That was when I made a permanent switch to catcher. I had lived by Nomar's example for 5 years.
Even though there was a position change, my heart remains the same to this day. I still want to be like Nomar. It deeply saddened me when I came home on March 10th, 2010 and found out about his retirement. I actually had a baseball tryout that day in order secure my spot for the next season. And I actually had a good day. I was in a great mood, all smiles, until... I read the headlines. I wanted to cry. I know he is just retiring. He's not dead or anything. But I can't help but believe my hero had been cheated. He should have been a first ballot hall of famer. He should have been one of the greatest Red Sox of all time, right next to Ted Williams.
But injuries robbed him of all that. Bad luck and misfortune lead to a terrible disappointment. Nomar probably has more talent than me in his finger than I do in my entire body. But I won't sell myself short. I still want to be like Nomar. Mr. Garciaparra, thanks again for providing me with inspiration. I will play ball until my body refuses to carry on. I will take more innings than humanly possible. I will push the envelope until I am the best that I can possibly be. And worse than that won't do. And if... just if, one day I do make the major leagues, I would like it very much if you would watch me play.
Even if I only get one at bat at the big league level, I'll be happy. I could die knowing that I fulfilled my lifetime dream. If I do, it'll be all thanks to you, Mr. Nomar Garciaparra. Thank you for providing me with the inspiration. Thank you for providing my life with purpose and meaning. Thank you for a fantastic career. You will be cherished in all the hearts of Red Sox Nation, and you will never be forgotten.
Nakamura
To One of the Greatest Red Sox of All Time
-Written by: Nakamura. This article is copyrighted © by Nakamura and may not be reproduced, recopied, or used in any form without permission from Nakamura
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