"The kid plays like he's been here before."--Baseball legend Ted Williams, describing Nomar Garciappara.

Many baseball players have had a great rookie season, but few can match that of Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciappara in 1997. He set several major league, American League, and Red Sox rookie records during a season Baseball Weekly called the greatest rookie season in history. Garciappara followed up his rookie year with an outstanding sophomore campaign that established him as one of the brightest young stars in major league baseball.

Growing Up

What's In a Name"

Anthony Nomar Garciappara was born July 23, 1973, in Whittier, California. He was the oldest of four children (two boys and two girls) of Ramon and Sylvia Garciappara. Garciappara's unique name was devised by his father, Ramon, who wanted to give his child a name made from the letters of his own first name. Ramon Garciappara finally decided...