Chicago Herald-American

Nomar Garciaparra retired Wednesday with a unique distinction: he put up steroid numbers in the heart of the steroid era, yet isn't dogged by steroid accusations. He must be a really nice guy.

Not that Garciaparra avoided rumors of steroid use, but they never stuck and faded away. Reports of his retirement Wednesday and Thursday didn't even mention steroids. It's not even close to being a cloud over his career. I've read newspaper and blog items debating Garciaparra's candidacy for the Hall of Fame and most of them said he won't make it for the same reason: his career numbers just aren't good enough and he wasn't good enough defensively. 

You can't say he doesn't fit the profile. Garciaparra had huge years for a shortstop in 1997 (.306, 30 HR, 98 RBIs), 1998 (.323, 35 HR , 122 RBIs), 1999 (.357, 27 HR, 104 RBIs) and 2000 (.372, 21 HR, 96 RBIs). Then in 2001 he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, showing off his massive physique. A month later, he suffered a wrist injury that limited him to 21 games in 2001. He had big years in 2002 (24 HR, 120 RBIs) and 2003 (28 HR, 105 RBIs) before injuries led to a precipitous decline in his production. 

(I found this ESPN.com story where Peter Gammons refutes the idea that the SI cover is evidence of steroid use. But Gammons, whose standing among baseball writers is well-deserved, has questionable credibility on the issues of steroids and Red Sox players accused of wrong-doing.)

Before turning 30, Garciaparra averaged .325, 24 HRs, 93 RBIs. After turning 30 he averaged .291, 9 HRs, 44 RBIs. And he no longer had the massive physique. (He's on the right in this photo with the Athletics last year.)

Garciaparra never has tested positive and never has been linked directly to steroid use. He probably just had the misfortune of putting up big numbers at the wrong time. But another bit of career misfortune made me wonder: After seven seasons as the biggest star in Boston, Garciaparra watched the Red Sox win their first World Series since 1918 ... as a member of the Cubs. It was as if karma had moved its huge hands in judgment of Nomar Garciaparra. I sure hope it was just another strange coincidence of a star-crossed career.