It seemed like just another day at The Daily Utah Chronicle, but then I went to www.SI.com and read something that was simply remarkable.
I was clicking along, surfing various Web sites about college football, basketball and Major League Baseball’s playoffs, when I saw an article titled, “Nomar to the rescue.”
My interest was perked, and the things I read renewed my faith in the character of professional athletes.
At about 10 p.m. on one fateful night, Nomar Garciaparra and his uncle Victor (who happens to oversee Nomar’s business and charitable ventures) heard a scream and a splash coming from the Boston Harbor.
Apparently two women had fallen into the harbor (how or why, no one knows), but their lives were saved as Garciaparra risked his life to bring them safely to shore.
According to the only other witness, Johnny O’Hara, Garciaparra was “like, jumping over walls to get to the girls” as his Uncle Victor “leaped off the balcony,” falling 20 feet to aid in the rescue.
Victor went on to explain that when one of the women awoke from her unconsciousness, the first thing she said was, “Are you Nomar?” She must have been so excited to have him as her rescuer.
But then the women’s husbands arrived on the scene and snatched them away without thanking Garciaparra, his uncle or saying what the women’s names were.
For some reason, Garciaparra was unavailable to comment on his heroic efforts (it must be because he’s so busy NOT competing in the playoffs).
I just sat in awe of this selfless event described by his Uncle Victor-remember, he’s in charge of Nomar’s charitable ventures-and the one other trustworthy source, Johnny O’Hara.
I pictured Garciaparra hearing the screams, leaping from his easy chair and breaking through the front door of his Charlestown condominium, not wasting a second in the moment of crisis.
He must have then noticed the terrifying predicament the women were in, so he leapt courageously over walls (probably 15 feet high) that were strategically placed to hinder his rescue effort.
It made me smile to know that his surgically repaired groin was able to sustain such superhuman abilities as he cruised to the relief of the women. Mia Hamm must be so proud! And how about his uncle Victor!
Probably in his 50s or 60s, and yet not even thinking of his own life as he propelled himself off the balcony 20 feet to the water.
Some might say that this story seems to have a lot of holes and that his uncle may not be the most reliable source, but how could such an amazing story be untrue?
I began to think of all the other wonderful things Nomar would be able to do after such an incredible event!
After three straight seasons filled with injuries, limiting him to 38, 43 and 62 games in those seasons, maybe now he’ll go an entire season without injury.
A guy who can jump over walls to rescue two unnamed women shouldn’t have any more problems with the dangerous perils that can be found on the treacherous baseball diamond.
Maybe the next time Mark Prior and Kerry Wood go down with season-ending injuries, Nomar could develop an immediate cure, and they’d awake after the procedure that Nomar would perform, stare into his eyes and cheerfully ask, “Are you Nomar?”
I’m sure his uncle Victor would tell the stories masterfully.
