“I’ve always said that’s the only uniform I want to know when my career is over,” Garciaparra said to WEEI.

His explanation for the sometimes sour looks? Merely that he wants to win every game, and that intensity is easily read on his face.

Why would you want to trade that passion away?

In addition to his effort on the field, Nomar contributes off it. Just look at his resume, which includes youth education programs, baseball clinics and involvement with the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Jimmy Fund.

Sure, you can say that A-Rod will contribute to the community, but Nomar has grassroots support already. He is a part of the city—and recently bought a home with his new wife in Boston.

“My heart and my first option have always been [with Boston] and it hasn’t strayed from that,” he said to the Boston Herald. “The ball’s really in management’s court.”

Now the owners should honor GM Theo Epstein’s statement to the Boston Herald: “Nomar has been consistent from Day 1 with us that he wants to come back. And we have been consistent with him that we want him back.”

—Staff writer Brenda E. Lee can be reached at belee@fas.harvard.edu.